Loving What We Will Become ~ Closing Thoughts

Greetings Dear Reader,

We are all on a journey back to God.  I realize that you do not all agree and that is understandable.  It is not my place to judge your choice on this.  My obligation is to love you and try to be an example of what following Christ can be like.

I fail.  I fall.  I get up and keep walking.  Some of my fellow travelers do things to hurt the journey for others.  I cannot fix my errors in the past but I can become someone who makes the journey easier for others.

For too long many of those who claim to follow Christ have not allowed that God understands all that is happening.  They have judged and condemned those that they are supposed to love and care for.  Sometimes people I love become things that they should not.  I am not required to accept the current state.  I am required to love them. 

I have to move away from things that damage me.  I have to do what is right no matter how I feel about it.  Even when it hurts I must become more attuned to Christ and what he wants for me.  It is in this that I find that pondering what we will become gives me strength to move forward.

It is in following in the hard areas that I see more clearly what must be left behind and what must stay with me.  As the years unfold it is easier to see that I do not need as much as I desire.  Everything that I carry impacts the journey.  The question must always be, “Is this necessary for what I will become?”

Wishing you joy in the journey,

Aramis Thorn

Mat 13:52 So Jesus said to them, "That is why every writer who has become a disciple of Christ’s rule of the universe is like a home owner. He liberally hands out new and old things from his great treasure store.”

(͡° ͜ʖ ͡°)

Loving What We Will Become ~ The Scars

Greetings Dear Reader,

Scars can be painful or interesting.  Some have amazing stories others are the tattoos of our foolishness.  I have a couple that are interesting but they have faded over the years.  I have some that are tied to mental and emotional scars that I avoid pondering.

We collect these permanent reminders along the way.  I often use them for the opportunity to tell a tale or to learn from others about the journey.  Scars are a way of seeing our imperfections without needing to be reminded by others that we have them.  Mine remind me of accidents, bad choices, and damage from others,

What we will become is scar-less.  Eventually we will be perfected.  The scars in our skin, hearts, and minds will be gone.  We will become a road-map of grace and love instead of one of pain and damage.

There will be scars when all is made good again.  They will not be ours.  The scars will be the ones Jesus carries to remind all of creation of his suffering to redeem us.  That sounds so dramatic but it is still true.  It is worth pondering.  Jesus alone will carry scars in the Undiscovered Country.

Known by the Scars – Michael Card

Mother Mary cried as she held heaven her arms

For the shadow of the scar she saw was clear

As her own bewildered baby lay weeping for the world

Whose frightened tears would free us all from fear

The marks of death that God chose never to erase

The wounds of loves eternal war

When the kingdom comes with its perfected sons

He will be known by the scars

For a time He sought to tell the world He was the Way

That God the father had a human heart

With His own holy hands He sought

To touch and heal their scars

But they chose to tear those gentle hands apart

What was there to wipe away the tears

Firm the holy eyes of God

As He looked upon His one and only Son

Who never sinned, nor lied, yet was crucified

And after they had slain Him and laid Him in the grave

And the ones He loved had fled into the dark

Then His love and power raised Him

God won the victory

But they only recognized Him by the scars

Wishing you joy in the journey,

Aramis Thorn

Mat 13:52 So Jesus said to them, "That is why every writer who has become a disciple of Christ’s rule of the universe is like a home owner. He liberally hands out new and old things from his great treasure store.”

(͡° ͜ʖ ͡°)

Loving What We Will Become ~ Perfected Sons

Greetings Dear Reader,

One day I will be free from the sins that besiege me.   I will no longer desire to do the things I would not.  I will only desire to do the things that are good.   Some days I look forward to this more than any other thing.

We will become perfected.  I believe this is why we have that unattainable concept of perfection.  I do not always love what I will become.  There are things that are not right that I still indulge.  There are sins that are my pet sins for which I do not put forth enough resistance.

It is never enough to be good enough.  We need to perfect our redemption as much as possible until the time that it is perfected for us.  I want the transition to be simple and a next step rather than a great leap.  I wish for the transition to that undiscovered country to be an adventure but also a logical transition.

My Grandfather seemed to have a keen understanding of this.  He would explain the story of Enoch who “walked with God” like this:  Enoch and God used to walk together and talk in the cool part of the evening.  The walks were long and they discussed the world and its goings on.  One evening as the sun  was dipping behind the horizon God  looked at Enoch and said, “We are much closer to my place than yours.  Why don’t you just come on home with me?” 

What we will become should be what we are working toward.  It should be how I live every moment; as if I am preparing to enter a new culture and desire to fit into it easily.  My Grandfather always said something else about this.  It was not original to him but it was where I first heard it.  “Good, better, best; Never let it rest, until your good is better and your better is your best.”

Wishing you joy in the journey,

Aramis Thorn

Mat 13:52 So Jesus said to them, "That is why every writer who has become a disciple of Christ’s rule of the universe is like a home owner. He liberally hands out new and old things from his great treasure store.”

(͡° ͜ʖ ͡°)

Loving What We Will Become ~ Irrelevance

Greetings Dear Reader,

We live in a culture where things become obsolete or irrelevant quite rapidly.  An example would be our phones.   I have Nokia brick phone that is basically only good as a travel alarm clock and dialing 911 if needed.  When I purchased it, it was state of the art. 

16 K of RAM and dual floppy drives

Even the phones I have had for over the last five years fall quickly into obsolescence as new technology is introduced.  Just to give one a place to stand and compare there is this.  My current phone has 67,108,864 times more RAM than my first computer.  Except for it place in history that first PC is ire relevant.

The issue is that we are becoming a society that give lip service to the value of life but have begun to see some life as obsolete or irrelevant.  We allow homelessness to be a common thing.  We murder the unborn at a genocidal rate and even justify it as a viable choice.  We meter out health care to those who can afford it and get rich off of the needs of the dying.

We use epithets such as “times have changed” to justify the erosion of our morals and values.  The failures of others to live up to those morals and values is used as justification for calling them irrelevant.  I actually saw this posted by a friend: “Cannot Christians see that Christianity has become irrelevant?”  Yes, I called this person a friend.

Remember that my search in all of this is to find better ways to follow Christ and love the world as he does.  I must do whatever it takes to love those who see me as irrelevant.  I must not hold anything more precious than loving those who need it most.  We all need help in places where our understanding is blind.  We all need to be loved where we are so that we can become what we are meant to become. 

As I look at the world I see so much and burdens my heart.  It radiates out from my personal losses to people I will never meet who need to be loved.  No human life is irrelevant.  No one is beyond becoming the product of love and grace.  It is my place to live a life that treats no one as irrelevant.

Wishing you joy in the journey,

Aramis Thorn

Mat 13:52 So Jesus said to them, "That is why every writer who has become a disciple of Christ’s rule of the universe is like a home owner. He liberally hands out new and old things from his great treasure store.”

(͡° ͜ʖ ͡°)

Loving What We Will Become ~ Infighting

Greetings Dear Reader,

For those of you who do not share my faith please forgive me.  I am focusing for a moment on those who do.  This will benefit those outside of my beliefs as it will give you something by which to hold us accountable.

As I ponder what we will become and try to love it I consider the differences that exist amongst Christ followers.  It saddens me how much time and energy we waste arguing over things that will not matter eternally.  It is also true that the wasted time and energy may matter eternally. 

Paul warns Timothy, “Don’t have anything to do with foolish and stupid arguments, because you know they produce quarrels. And the Lord’s servant must not be quarrelsome but must be kind to everyone, able to teach, not resentful.”

We divide and argue over things that do not matter.  We make things important so that we can sound knowledgeable and wise.  In that stance we become foolish and evidence our ignorance of what the Father truly desires.  We fail to put love and peace first.

I must not engage in arguments.  The conversation and congress among my fellow travelers must be about how to love and serve more deeply and more purely.  There is no stance the trumps the command to love unconditionally.   There is no requirement in theology that exceeds the greatest commandment to love the Father with all that we are.

We will all become the same in the end.  We will know and believe the same because faith and ignorance will be abolished.  Should we not love what we will become now?  Should I not embrace it with all that I am?

Wishing you joy in the journey,

Aramis Thorn

Mat 13:52 So Jesus said to them, "That is why every writer who has become a disciple of Christ’s rule of the universe is like a home owner. He liberally hands out new and old things from his great treasure store.”

(͡° ͜ʖ ͡°)

Loving What We Will Become ~ When They Stray

Greetings Dear Reader,

I have seen people who are precious to me both betray and abandon the beliefs I hold dear.  I know others who have done this and seen friends and family abandon the party with condemnation and judgement.  I refuse to judge these people.  It is not my place.

What then is the proper way to love what we become when we lose our way?  I do not claim to know the full answer to this.  I do know that it is what I must do.  Perhaps knowing and determining to do so is enough.  Perhaps the choice to love others no matter what they become is the ultimate answer. 

If you can reason with me for a moment Dear Reader I will try to explain.  I do not know all things.  The Father who commands me to love everyone does.  He will not ask me to take up a love that I cannot hold.  He knows how he will draw us all to him.  My obligation is to love who they become because I have faith in him. 

I do not know how to make things different.  I do not know how to change anyone and it is not my place.  It is my place to love and be good to others.  I cannot control their judgment of God and his way of dealing with us.  I can only control my love and that I must give to everyone no matter what they become.

Wishing you joy in the journey,

Aramis Thorn

Mat 13:52 So Jesus said to them, "That is why every writer who has become a disciple of Christ’s rule of the universe is like a home owner. He liberally hands out new and old things from his great treasure store.”

(͡° ͜ʖ ͡°)

Loving What We Will Become ~ Name Days

Greetings Dear Reader,

Yesterday my youngest Grandson turned five.  I truly love what he is becoming.  He has such deep compassion for others. He always has an adventure going on in his head.  He has something to say and loves to report the news of the day.

He notices injury on others and offers comfort and care.  So much of his energy is already devoted to showing his care for others.  He remembers it and checks on you when he sees you again.

He can dance.  Not just jump around and move but he feels the music and moves well to it.  He does not constantly move but when he does there is always a rhythm and energy to it.  There is imagination to it as well.  He has such creativity.  I have seen entire stories or games leap from his mind in a moment.

I love him and what he is becoming.  I see the beauty and wonder in him.  I see that the world will benefit from having this bright and beautiful boy in it.  Happy birthday Grandson.  I am proud to love what you become.

Wishing you joy in the journey,

Aramis Thorn

Mat 13:52 So Jesus said to them, "That is why every writer who has become a disciple of Christ’s rule of the universe is like a home owner. He liberally hands out new and old things from his great treasure store.”

(͡° ͜ʖ ͡°)

Loving What We Will Become ~ Aging

Greetings Dear Reader,

This past year I have seen some significant changes in my physical well-being.  Nothing is terribly alarming and the process of aging is one that I cannot avoid.  Still, there are losses to account for and I must prepare my heart to endure them properly.

We all grow older.  I know where I wish to get to but even today is not guaranteed.  Still I see so often that people lament the challenges of aging instead of finding a way to love who they become.  “Days go colder.  Children get older.  I’m getting older too.” 

The thing is that I often get told that I appear younger than I am.  I have to admit that I like it.  That is just my pride, however.   I feel a stiffness growing in some of my joints that belies that youthful appearance. 

Will I be wiser when I am old?  I hope to be but then again it is unwise to think of oneself as wise.   It is like humility.  The moment you claim to have it you have lost it.  I do wish to be wise. 

I also see that I must love that even though I age I may run out of time to reach my dreams.  I am accepting that some of them only have wisps of hope left in them.  They tatter and fade as the days run through the glass.  Each spring brings the reminder that winter has taken a toll and that I have less to build with than when the leaves fell.

Again it is not that I hate these things but rather that I must in reality love what unfolds if I am to fully love always.  I can work against those things I may mitigate.  I must, however, accept those things that are the essence of the unfolding years.

The point of a journey is that it has an end.  Most destinations are the goal.   We anticipate and long for the place we are heading.  This journey of life is one that we fight to prolong with all that we have.  As I age I must love what I become to fend off the bitterness and acrimony of the journey’s end.   Instead I must anticipate the adventure of that undiscovered country with faith and hope.  That you see is when I will truly become.

Wishing you joy in the journey,

Aramis Thorn

Mat 13:52 So Jesus said to them, "That is why every writer who has become a disciple of Christ’s rule of the universe is like a home owner. He liberally hands out new and old things from his great treasure store.”

(͡° ͜ʖ ͡°)

Loving What We Will Become ~ What Brought Us Here

Greetings Dear Reader,

When we fail to love what others become through the years we must examine ourselves. It is not that we must love things that are inherently wrong or allow abuses.  It is that in the people we love we see their good less and their faults more.

This error can be fought by considering what brought them to where they are.  Who is the person we began to love?  Where have they gone?  What of that person can we love and revive?  What brought them to this person they have become?  What part did I play in that becoming?

When I see only the faults I lack understanding.   We forget that we need not fully understand to be understanding.   I must seek to understand and love whilst seeking it.  We fail at the command to love first.  When I fail to love first I fail to the potential.  I fail to see the possible.

Beyond that I am required, no matter what to love what they become.  There is no caveat to that.  This applies not only to marriage but to parenting, it applies to friends, neighbors, and any that we interact with.  My responsibility is to be the one who loves no matter what the cost. 

What brought the person to who he or she is now?  How can I mitigate the pain?  How can extend my heart past the defenses?  What can I do so that the love of Christ crushes all barriers?  If I am unwilling to ask these questions and live out the answers then I declare that I am unwilling to love.  This is not allowed.

Wishing you joy in the journey,

Aramis Thorn

Mat 13:52 So Jesus said to them, "That is why every writer who has become a disciple of Christ’s rule of the universe is like a home owner. He liberally hands out new and old things from his great treasure store.”

(͡° ͜ʖ ͡°)

Second Thoughts – A Future and Once Captain

Greetings Dear Reader,

Sometimes I will end the day with thoughts that are important to get out.  Usually I just write them and put them in my journal folder.  I have chosen that on occasion I will share them with you Dear Reader.

So many years ago I found the father I was missing.  He was still absent but for good reason.  He reminded me in so many ways of the persona that was my actual father but with more integrity and a better profession. 

I am speaking of Captain James T. Kirk.   Today is (will be) his birthday.  When I was boy his adventures on the small screen taught me some things I sorely needed.  I learned that everyone mattered.  I learned about friends and loyalty.  I learned that you follow the rules until following the rules becomes wrong.

Please understand how precious this has been in my life Dear Reader.  I do not think I would have survived the end of my first decade without Star Trek.  It gave me hope when hope was thin.  I still watch those old shows and remember good things.  I also remember the times I have spent with friends, students, and family reliving those adventures.

The debt I owe to Gene Roddenberry cannot be repaid.  The deeper debt is to others for the benefit of knowing his work.  I raise a glass tonight to William Shatner and James T. Kirk.  They have all helped me to boldly go where I might not have gone.

Wishing you joy in the journey,

Aramis Thorn

Mat 13:52 So Jesus said to them, "That is why every writer who has become a disciple of Christ’s rule of the universe is like a home owner. He liberally hands out new and old things from his great treasure store.”

(͡° ͜ʖ ͡°)

Loving What We Will Become ~ Opening Thoughts

Greetings Dear Reader,

One of the things we master as a species is recognizing the flaws in each other.   It is so easy to point out what is wrong.  It is no small thing to only see what is wrong but that is not the common.  The common is to be sure to mitigate the good with the flaws we see.

In our congress between each other as we grow familiar we also see more clearly the flaws in each other.  We forget the good and noble traits that draw us together and instead we see only the darkness.  We do this with so many things as they age.  We see the cracks and worn spots but not the character.  We forget the things that are good and enamor us of each other.

I want to always see what people can become.  I want to view my fellow travelers as being in process.  If I see what they can become if loved and treated with respect then perhaps I can mitigate some pain in the world.  This line of thought is triggered by a line from a show that has little respect for man.  A woman is dying and in a rare moment of nobility one of the protagonist is told that as the disease progresses the woman will not be who she was.  Without hesitation the man says, “Then I will love what she becomes.” 

Perhaps the vital truth that I must explore, understand, and embrace is to see people as they will be.  I must find ways to look past the cracks and flaws to the richness of the journeying soul.  I hope you have time to chat about it with me as we journey together Dear Reader.

Wishing you joy in the journey,

Aramis Thorn

Mat 13:52 So Jesus said to them, "That is why every writer who has become a disciple of Christ’s rule of the universe is like a home owner. He liberally hands out new and old things from his great treasure store.”

(͡° ͜ʖ ͡°)

Who Does it Serve? ~ Closing Thoughts

Greetings Dear Reader,

As I stated at the begging of this jaunt, we all serve someone.  We all serve something as well.  The task is know what we are serving and why.  The goal is to understand who we serve and if we intend to use our brief life to serve that.

In serving we gain understanding of our needs and see more clearly the needs of others.  When we serve good and right we make the path better.  We make the journey stronger.  We enrich others when we carry the heart of servant into all we endeavor to accomplish.

What I must do in all me efforts is serve Christ.  Nothing is too small or so insignificant that it cannot be relegated to the service of Jesus.  Following him means in all things.  Following him means that I serve the needs of the Gospel.  It means that all my pursuits; professional, leisure, and mundane must pass through the filter of following Christ.

So in all things Dear Reader I ask this thing.  In all things I seek to do this thing.  It is in the following and serving of Christ alone that every other thing becomes good.  It is in faith that I follow.  It is in love that I seek to evidence that following.  Purity, righteousness, holiness all follow the great command to love.  It is love that must drive what I serve and who I serve.  It is in Christ alone that I take this stand.

Wishing you joy in the journey,

Aramis Thorn

Mat 13:52 So Jesus said to them, "That is why every writer who has become a disciple of Christ’s rule of the universe is like a home owner. He liberally hands out new and old things from his great treasure store.”

(͡° ͜ʖ ͡°)

Who Does it Serve? ~ Dreams

Greetings Dear Reader,

We all have dreams.  Some of us chase them.  Some hide them.  Some are blessed to live them.  Some of my dreams I share with others.  Some I keep hidden even though I build on them.  I have lived a few that have then been shattered.

It is good to have dreams.  It is also dangerous.  We are intended to have desires in our hearts of what we wish to have, do, and become.  The fulfillment of dreams requires the proper alignment of work, will, and providence.  It is in the pursuit of dreams that we find the steam to run our life engine.

We must consider who our dreams serve.  If they serve only our interests then they will never satisfy even if attained.  They can fuel our efforts but cannot sustain us if they feed only us.

I pursue the dreams that serve others as much as possible.  I desire to attain dreams that will outlast my brief time upon this stage.  Fueled by hope and faith I also try to delight in the one I follow so that my dreams align with him.  Sometimes the fuel feeds thin.  Sometimes the engine feels overworked.

The great dream that I share with you Dear Reader is to be free to craft tales daily for you.  I long to spend my hours in the day working to weave stories that draw you home.  The key is asking who the dream serves.  If it serves others then it is a dream worth dreaming.

Wishing you joy in the journey,

Aramis Thorn

Mat 13:52 So Jesus said to them, "That is why every writer who has become a disciple of Christ’s rule of the universe is like a home owner. He liberally hands out new and old things from his great treasure store.”

(͡° ͜ʖ ͡°)

Who Does it Serve? ~ Working our Jobs

Greetings Dear Reader,

I am blessed to work a job where I get to make a difference.  The work I do benefits those with medical needs and those who cannot afford medical care.  The work I do is not on the front lines but it is the engine that drives the supply chain.  It is in knowing this that I see who my work serves.

It moves me that so many people work jobs that they hate.  I often ponder what the world would look like if people pursued avocations that they loved.  After family our profession consumes our lives.  We exchange pieces of our life for money so that we can provide for family.   That would be a much richer exchange if that time were spent on something about which we care. 

I work daily toward things I care for most getting my time.  If I am to follow Christ properly then I must give my time to things that matter.  If I work simply for money then life does not work.

Wishing you joy in the journey,

Aramis Thorn

Mat 13:52 So Jesus said to them, "That is why every writer who has become a disciple of Christ’s rule of the universe is like a home owner. He liberally hands out new and old things from his great treasure store.”

(͡° ͜ʖ ͡°)

Who Does it Serve? ~ No Rusty Swords

Greetings Dear Reader,

Depending on the lighting the human eye can distinguish around thirty shades of gray.  Our minds can, it seems, create infinite shades of gray when it comes to moral and social issues.  In some areas there are shades of gray.  In some there are not.

I am not going to dive too deeply into the areas that I consider black and white.  What I do want to think through is that we seldom have neutral actions.  As someone who believes that all of this has a higher purpose I realize that what I do serves either darkness or light.  What I think, what I say, and how I act is either good or evil.

No matter whether you believe as I do or not every action serves good or evil.  There are no secular issues.  Even our minor choices serve our own desires or a greater purpose.  When we align our desires with what is good then we serve good.  When they are aligned with our own self-interest.

We are in a battle for everything.  We are in on a battlefield where there are no rusty swords.  What I choose to do with my time and resources serves either darkness or light.  If I choose to be neutral about something because it is hard then I am serving darkness.  Jesus is all about love that is vibrant and sacrificial. 

We are invited to serve the Light.  We are invited to fight for what is good.  We are invited to live when we come and die.  Everything I do serves our Captain or the enemy.  It serves the darkness or the Light.  On this battlefield of life there are no rust swords. 

No Rusty Swords – Michael Card

Don't you know the battle's raging

And you got to join the fight

There's an army of the darkness

And an army of the Light

There's a side that fights for Satan

And a side that's for the Lord

And on this battle field there are no rusty swords

And on this battle field there are no rusty swords

Christ has made the final move

So our side is sure to win

He became like us so we would have

A chance to be like Him

It seems strange so many fall back

When the victory has been won

You just need to ask yourself

Which side you're on

Don't you know the battle's raging

And you got to join the fight

There's an army of the darkness

And an army of the Light

There's a side that fights for Satan

And a side that's for the Lord

And on this battle field there are no rusty swords

And on this battle field there are no rusty swords

There's a fact you need to understand

Before you join our side

You need to know when Jesus calls

He bids you come and die

He's invaded Satan's kingdom

And He's claiming all His own

When the battle's over

He will lead us home

Don't you know the battle's raging

And you got to join the fight

There's an army of the darkness

And an army of the Light

There's a side that fights for Satan

And a side that's for the Lord

And on this battle field there are no rusty swords

And on this battle field there are no rusty swords

And on this battle field there are no rusty swords

Wishing you joy in the journey,

Aramis Thorn

Mat 13:52 So Jesus said to them, "That is why every writer who has become a disciple of Christ’s rule of the universe is like a home owner. He liberally hands out new and old things from his great treasure store.”

(͡° ͜ʖ ͡°)

Who Does it Serve? ~ Music

Greetings Dear Reader,

I love music.  My two hundred gigs of mp3’s covers everything from classical to a sampling of some of genres like air pop and space trap.  There is not a genre or style that I follow.  Rather I choose songs that I like.

I approach every song in the same way.  Frist, I ask if I like the sound.  Even if I do not I will give it an honest listen if it is recommended by someone.   I have been surprised by genres that I thought I would not like.  In them I have found a gem or two that gave me a feel for that style and what it had to offer.

There is also a core to my music world that is familiar and dependable.  There are songs that I go to when I need courage or comfort.  There are songs that take me to worship or celebration instantly. 

My primary filter after taste is the message of a song.  I ask a couple of simple questions and the answers are the filter.  The first is “where is this song trying to take me?”   The second is “Is that someplace I want to go?”  This is the filter that lets me determine who the music serves.

I refuse to go someplace that does not serve Christ.  Many interpret that to mean that only “Christian” music is acceptable.  This is a lie.  There is too much beauty and tragedy in the world to relegate music only to songs directly focused on Christianity.  The filter must be Christ but he is in everything that makes the world worth being in.

My music choices must serve to draw me closer to Christ.  It must transport me to the place intended by the artist and I must find Christ in that moment.  This is how music serves.

Wishing you joy in the journey,

Aramis Thorn

Mat 13:52 So Jesus said to them, "That is why every writer who has become a disciple of Christ’s rule of the universe is like a home owner. He liberally hands out new and old things from his great treasure store.”

(͡° ͜ʖ ͡°)

Who Does it Serve? ~ Arguing

Greetings Dear Reader,

I wonder why we cannot get past this.  Arguing from a position of anger or pride serves the self.  It is never the arguing that forges the peace.  It is never being right that matters.

What we do when we argue is destroy the other person.  We use whit and words. We often shout and belittle.  We sink to our lower selves.  It becomes winning over substance.  It becomes being the one who is heard instead of listening. 

It does not matter if it political, social, or personal.  Arguing does not serve to create peace or foster love and trust.  It creates rocky ground.  It can do irrevocable harm.  It can turn to hatred and violence. 

I am not supposed to argue.  I am required to be able to present a reasonable explanation of my hope.  I am supposed to oppose evil.  None of that requires me to argue.  I must serve the truth not my pride or fear.

In social and personal discussions I must never argue.  I must speak the truth in love.  I must refuse to engage when baited.  Even when others are wrong about me I must be kind and patient.  It is in love and patience, speaking the truth that we win.  It is too easy to argue.

Wishing you joy in the journey,

Aramis Thorn

Mat 13:52 So Jesus said to them, "That is why every writer who has become a disciple of Christ’s rule of the universe is like a home owner. He liberally hands out new and old things from his great treasure store.”

(͡° ͜ʖ ͡°)

Second Thoughts – Drooling Stinkweed and Others

Greetings Dear Reader,

Fuzzy Peacock

Sometimes I will end the day with thoughts that are important to get out.  Usually I just write them and put them in my journal folder.  I have chosen that on occasion I will share them with you Dear Reader.

Balloon Bunny

After the last couple of days I need a little something to ease my mind with laughter.  Since the release of the second wave of critters for Pokémon Go I have decided to replace some of the names with what I think the creatures are.  I have included pictures for the confused.

From the original series launched last May I have noticed a vast increase in the number of Fuzzy Peacocks.  They are easy enough to catch.  They evolve into the Fuzzy Golden Peacock and seem desired by many.

Drooling Stinkweed

I also found the Balloon Bunny to be plentiful.  I guess you want

those so you can make the big Balloon Bunny and use him to bounce off other critters.

One of the more unpleasant looking first gen critters is Drooling Stinkweed.  He evolves from a cute little plant and turns into a fairly nice looking large flower.  The middle form, however, is repulsive to me.

Angry Bird

In the new generation that was released last month there is an Angry Bird who evolves into a larger Razor Blade Bird.  It seems that this is the Pidgy or Spearrow of the group.  He looks mad and hops around a bit but otherwise seems useless.

Sad Glider Bunny

The most common of the new lot so far is the Sad Glider Bunny.  Every time I see one I want to sign him up for therapy and call suicide prevention.   He evolves into one of my favorites, the Furret if he can survive his obvious depression.

I realize that this is a lark (not one of the new Pokémon) but it was relaxing for me and a glimpse into my craziness Dear Reader.  Let me know if you got a laugh.  You deserve it.

Wishing you joy in the journey,

Aramis Thorn

Mat 13:52 So Jesus said to them, "That is why every writer who has become a disciple of Christ’s rule of the universe is like a home owner. He liberally hands out new and old things from his great treasure store.”

(͡° ͜ʖ ͡°)

Who Does it Serve? ~ “Sorry”

Greetings Dear Reader,

It seems as a society we are increasingly poor at accepting responsibility for our transgressions.  We do not spend time with our faults to acknowledge and redeem them.  Instead we excuse, ignore, or dismiss when we wrong others.

Recently I watched someone who claims to follow Christ launch a tirade of anger and slights at a coworker.  When someone pointed it out the person simply said “sorry” and moved on to another topic. 

When we wrong another person saying “sorry” is rarely anything other than self-serving.  A genuine apology and request for forgiveness serves the wronged person.  Anything less serves to get us out of embarrassment or responsibility for our actions. 

I want to eradicate this habit from my life.  I never want to just say “sorry” when someone deserves my attentive understanding of how I have wronged him or her.  I do not need to overdo it when I do something small.  I should, however, err on the side of being attentive to accidental sleights instead of dismissing them.

If I am to love others I must embrace the humility required to serve them and Christ by owning and mitigating my wrongs.  I cannot serve Christ by just being “sorry”.  I must rather have genuine sorrow for my wrongs and not merely dismiss them.

Wishing you joy in the journey,

Aramis Thorn

Mat 13:52 So Jesus said to them, "That is why every writer who has become a disciple of Christ’s rule of the universe is like a home owner. He liberally hands out new and old things from his great treasure store.”

(͡° ͜ʖ ͡°)

Second Thoughts – Jar of Hearts

Greetings Dear Reader,

Sometimes I will end the day with thoughts that are important to get out.  Usually I just write them and put them in my journal folder.  I have chosen that on occasion I will share them with you Dear Reader.

I always believe that love can crush any barrier.  I have a heart that wishes to always forgive and leave opportunity for love to win.  Some days that is much harder than others.  Today is one of those days.

Impending anniversaries and time markers seem to have me battling internally.  I see people dear to me struggling to do their best to do what is right when the one they wish to aid seeks to use them instead.  Manipulation and control surface in response to care and compassion.

I think there comes a time whether it is a town, a job, or a relationship where we never stop loving but still have to kick the dust from our feet.  We have a journey to continue and we cannot beg others to walk with us when what they wish is to instead drag us down with them. 

It is a broken heart that I carry because of those who gave up on me.  It is also that still beating broken heart that hesitates to set aside anyone.  Still there are times when reaching out is a self-inflicted wound.  I never write anyone off.  I never stop loving anyone.  I also have to learn when proximity is poison.  I have to learn when devotion is danger.  Who do you think you are?

Jar of Hearts – Christina Perri

No, I can't take one more step towards you

'Cause all that's waiting is regret

Don't you know I'm not your ghost anymore

You lost the love I loved the most

I learned to live, half alive

And now you want me one more time

And who do you think you are?

Runnin' 'round leaving scars

Collecting your jar of hearts

And tearing love apart

You're gonna catch a cold

From the ice inside your soul

So don't come back for me

Who do you think you are?

I hear you're asking all around

If I am anywhere to be found

But I have grown too strong

To ever fall back in your arms

I've learned to live, half alive

And now you want me one more time

And who do you think you are?

Runnin' 'round leaving scars

Collecting your jar of hearts

And tearing love apart

You're gonna catch a cold

From the ice inside your soul

So don't come back for me

Who do you think you are?

I hear you're asking all around

If I am anywhere to be found

But I have grown too strong

To ever fall back in your arms

Deas took so long just to feel alright

Remember how to put back the light in my eyes

I wish I had missed the first time that we kissed

'Cause you broke all your promises

And now you're back

You don't get to get me back

Who do you think you are?

Runnin' 'round leaving scars

Collecting your jar of hearts

And tearing love apart

You're gonna catch a cold

From the ice inside your soul

Don't come back for me

Don't come back at all

And who do you think you are?

Runnin' 'round leaving scars

Collecting your jar of hearts

And tearing love apart

You're gonna catch a cold

From the ice inside your soul

Don't come back for me

Don't come back at all

Who do you think you are?

Who do you think you are?

Who do you think you are?

Wishing you joy in the journey,

Aramis Thorn

Mat 13:52 So Jesus said to them, "That is why every writer who has become a disciple of Christ’s rule of the universe is like a home owner. He liberally hands out new and old things from his great treasure store.”

(͡° ͜ʖ ͡°)

Who Does it Serve? ~ Our Words

Greetings Dear Reader,

Last week a coworker attached me personally over a disagreement regarding a way to proceed with a work task.  I was surprised how quickly anger and insult replaced civil discussion.  Then again I used to be like this.

My words are a dangerous weapon.  I have worked hard to choose only words that are kind and honest.  I still fail.  I do not always choose the right words.  I do not always choose the right feeling to express.  I give lease to the wrong words.

Metering what I say through asking who it serves is a solid way to gain more ground in this battle.  It is in the constant vigilance over who I serve that I can learn to more wisely choose what I say. 

Who does each word serve?  Who will benefit from the sarcastic remark or thoughtless jab.  Who I am kind to matters.  What I say always matters.  Keeping in mind that every word should serve the Gospel helps.  Knowing that I am accountable for even every idle word should motivate.  

In pondering who it serves when I speak I can be more aware of the words that come out of my mouth.  I can better monitor who my thoughts serve I can better control my words.  If I guide my words to only serve Christ then they will be filled with love and kindness.  I will fail but I must work at it with every thought.

Wishing you joy in the journey,

Aramis Thorn

Mat 13:52 So Jesus said to them, "That is why every writer who has become a disciple of Christ’s rule of the universe is like a home owner. He liberally hands out new and old things from his great treasure store.”

(͡° ͜ʖ ͡°)

Who Does it Serve? ~ Opening Thoughts

Greetings Dear Reader,

As I prepare my heart and mind for Holy Week I consider the benefits of all that Christ has given us.  He has made sure that we have guidelines as to how we are to serve the Father.  The primary way to serve is love.  That is clear.  Everything else is built upon it.

What about the other things we do?  Perhaps asking who our actions and attitudes serve will help discern if those actions are wise and profitable.   Everything we do serves someone. 

This means that I must ponder my attitude about the things I do, the values I hold, and even my preferences.  When I feel slighted or angry evaluating the source can be maintained by asking who it serves.  When others are offended by what I do I must evaluate before I defend.  I must ask who I am serving.

I am going to walk through this with an eye on who I am supposed to serve.   In setting myself apart for the celebration of the resurrection I will examine who is served by what I think, say, and do.  Please join me Dear Reader.  I hope in serving the Father through self-examination that I can serve you as well.

Gotta Serve Somebody - Bob Dylan

You may be an ambassador to England or France

You may like to gamble, you might like to dance

You may be the heavyweight champion of the world

You may be a socialite with a long string of pearls

But you're gonna have to serve somebody, yes

Indeed you're gonna have to serve somebody

Well, it may be the devil or it may be the Lord

But you're gonna have to serve somebody

You might be a rock 'n' roll addict prancing on the stage

You might have drugs at your command, women in a cage

You may be a business man or some high-degree thief

They may call you doctor or they may call you chief

But you're gonna have to serve somebody, yes you are

You're gonna have to serve somebody

Well, it may be the devil or it may be the Lord

But you're gonna have to serve somebody

You may be a state trooper, you might be a young Turk

You may be the head of some big TV network

You may be rich or poor, you may be blind or lame

You may be living in another country under another name

But you're gonna have to serve somebody, yes you are

You're gonna have to serve somebody

Well, it may be the devil or it may be the Lord

But you're gonna have to serve somebody

You may be a construction worker working on a home

You may be living in a mansion or you might live in a dome

You might own guns and you might even own tanks

You might be somebody's landlord, you might even own banks

But you're gonna have to serve somebody, yes

You're gonna have to serve somebody

Well, it may be the devil or it may be the Lord

But you're gonna have to serve somebody

You may be a preacher with your spiritual pride

You may be a city councilman taking bribes on the side

You may be workin' in a barbershop, you may know how to cut hair

You may be somebody's mistress, may be somebody's heir

But you're gonna have to serve somebody, yes

You're gonna have to serve somebody

Well, it may be the devil or it may be the Lord

But you're gonna have to serve somebody

Might like to wear cotton, might like to wear silk

Might like to drink whiskey, might like to drink milk

You might like to eat caviar, you might like to eat bread

You may be sleeping on the floor, sleeping in a king-sized bed

But you're gonna have to serve somebody, yes

Indeed you're gonna have to serve somebody

Well, it may be the devil or it may be the Lord

But you're gonna have to serve somebody

You may call me Terry, you may call me Timmy

You may call me Bobby, you may call me Jimmy

You may call me R.J., you may call me Ray

You may call me anything but no matter what you say

Still, you're gonna have to serve somebody, yes

You're gonna have to serve somebody

Well, it may be the devil or it may be the Lord

But you're gonna have to serve somebody

Wishing you joy in the journey,

Aramis Thorn

Mat 13:52 So Jesus said to them, "That is why every writer who has become a disciple of Christ’s rule of the universe is like a home owner. He liberally hands out new and old things from his great treasure store.”

(͡° ͜ʖ ͡°)

What Do You Fear? ~ Closing Thoughts

Greetings Dear Reader,

That which we fear can control us.  If we allow it to control us it stops us from achieving.  Fear devours us.  When fear assails us we choose the way in which we will respond.

The other danger when I let fear control me is that I harm others by acting out of self-interest.  Once again that is not the way to follow Christ.  When fear guides me I look for my own protection and control.  Instead I must let love and grace be my moving force. 

So often we can defeat fear by facing it and pushing through it.  We do not have to do it alone.  I must not allow my fear to be my guide.  I must allow my security in Christ to give me courage and strength.

Fear must not have power over me.  I must think and act  in ways that weaken fear and diminish the power it holds.  “God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power, and love, and a sound mind.”

How Far this Road Goes – Gareth Dunlop

Come take this trip with me

Keep your eyes wide and keep me company

If you tag along you just might see

What is it I'm trying to reach

I'm still tied to my hopes and my dreams

Adventure I will always see

A child I will always be

So won't you come take this trip with me

Through the winding roads

Further then we've gone before

Past the `turn back now` sign post

And see just how far this road goes

To see just how far this road goes

I just can't wait for all we're gonna do

So let's go make a memory or two

And think what's ahead and all that's new

This journey was made for me and you

Through the winding roads

Further then we've gone before

Past the `turn back now` sign post

And see just how far this road goes

To see just how far this road goes

To see just how far this road goes

To see just how far this road goes

Wishing you joy in the journey,

Aramis Thorn

Mat 13:52 So Jesus said to them, "That is why every writer who has become a disciple of Christ’s rule of the universe is like a home owner. He liberally hands out new and old things from his great treasure store.”

(͡° ͜ʖ ͡°)

What Do You Fear? ~ Relationships

Greetings Dear Reader,

I think that I must first be very clear.  If you are in a relationship where you are being harmed, you need to do what it takes to be safe.  No one should remain in a place where they are being abused. 

Still too many relationships are ruined by fear.  People fear that things will not improve.  They fear that they will not get what they want or at some level need.  They fear forgiving slights and wrongs.  They fear not controlling things.  They fear being alone so they stay in dangerous or damaging relationships.

When we let fear dictate how we relate to others it destroys trust and love.  It is love that casts out fear.  It is love that gets us to courage and kindness.  When couples wed the promise “till death do us part” is bedrock for facing the unknown in love and respect.  When someone plays the leaving card he or she violates the bedrock of the relationship.  The promise that you make to work things out together is meant to hold back the flood of fear and give time to learn to love more deeply and build on that foundation.

It is too easy in our world to discard others.  God makes is clear that fear is not a good reason to refuse to love.  Love is the perfect antidote for fear.  If I allow fear to rule my heart then I cannot love.  I cannot relate. 

We forget that even our relationships belong to God.  We forget that our commitments to others are the opportunity to create something beautiful and it is not ours to throw away.

It Ain’t Yours to Throw Away – Clare Bowen & Sam Palladio

That same road that brought you here

Will sure as hell take you home

The life you left behind will have you back

You're tired of paying dues in worn out shoes

And Broadway blues

And any fool will tell you

The damn ol' deck is stacked

What if you're just a vessel?

And God gave you something special

It ain't yours to throw away

It ain't yours to throw away

Every time you open up your mouth

Diamonds come rolling out

It ain't yours to throw away No...

And all of the players, the movers, and shakers

The story maker suits have gone home

You drew the last slot

You thought it was your shot

But now it's just one more chance blown

What if you're just a vessel?

And God gave you something special

It ain't yours to throw away

It ain't yours to throw away

Every time you open up your mouth

Diamonds come rolling out

It ain't yours to throw away, No...

And our town is cold as January

Life comes true, and dreams get buried

Every day...

Destiny won't be denied

It ain't yours to throw away

No, it ain't yours to throw away

'Cause every time you open up your mouth

Diamonds come rolling out

It ain't yours to throw away

It ain't yours to throw away ...

Throw away

Wishing you joy in the journey,

Aramis Thorn

Mat 13:52 So Jesus said to them, "That is why every writer who has become a disciple of Christ’s rule of the universe is like a home owner. He liberally hands out new and old things from his great treasure store.”

(͡° ͜ʖ ͡°)