30 September 2020

Blessed Darkness ~ Gratitude Armor

Greetings Dear Reader,

We have decided to capture every thought as a shield against darkness.  Rote recitation of comforting truths is the second method we have for keeping our mind from wrestling with us in the quiet dark.  These are not either-or choices.  They are lights against the darkness; armor against that which assails us.


Sometimes, when the thoughts of worry and doubt try to assail me, they are connected to the things I am anticipating.  I mentioned last week about my thoughts on Project Tortoiseshell. I thought acquiring it was within my reach.  It would have been simple as I went to sleep the following evening to despair over my loss due to my anticipation.  The truth was that I had not lost anything. 

As my mind tried to turn my focus to sadness, I pondered the things that were good about the situation.  I ran through the things that were positive about my day.  I pondered just how present Christ was with me in each of the events that unfolded.  I expressed gratitude for protection, love, and the opportunity to help someone else.  I found joy in the faces of my friends as they realized that the Father was using them as well to create harmony in our journey.

Gratitude for what we have allows the mind to dwell in lovely safe places.  It gives me armor against the darkness that is vital to the rest we need.  Worry and fear transmute into gratitude and peace when I recall all that the Father does for me.  When we dwell on the providence of God, we find that even the darkness holds blessings. 

If I am going to practice the presence of Christ in every moment, I must realize the full effect of gratitude as a protection against fear and pain.  The quiet dark can be a good companion if I am reviewing how the Father has provided for me.  It becomes blessed darkness when we meet Christ in the final moments of our day thanking him for his guidance and presence.  Thoughts that harm me cannot swim with those that draw me closer to the Father.

Again, this Is not always the answer and there are those who have established pathways of worry and fear that need assistance in breaking free from them.  Still, the effort to have more gratitude is never a wasted one, Dear Reader.  When we do so privately, we are more likely to do so with others.  We can carry the thoughts of the blessed darkness into the morning light rested and ready to follow Christ in the moments of a new day.

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 homeowner. He liberally hands out new and old things from his great treasure store.”
(͡° ͜ʖ ͡°)

Every human story is part of the great story that leads to the Father getting everything back to Good.

Contacts for Aramis Thorn:
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An attitude of gratitude can give our good thoughts more latitude. 

29 September 2020

Blessed Darkness ~ Unseating Worry

Greetings Dear Reader,

When we try to confront the darkness alone, bringing our thoughts into captivity is primary as we discussed yesterday.  There are, however, those nights when my thoughts assail me no matter how vigilant I am over them.  The best way I have found to keep the mind from producing thoughts that are disturbing is to occupy it with thoughts that are good.


We worry, even though we know that worry is not healthy or needed.  When worry assails us then we have to choose where to stand.  Sometimes, I occupy my mind with reminders of how much I have that is good and beneficial.  I dwell on the ways in which the Father provides for me and the grace and mercy he pours into my life. 

My mind will at times respond to these efforts with stronger exertions to engage me with worry, doubt, and fear.  A mentor from long ago taught me something that seems to always work.  If I occupy my mind with the right truth, I can drift off to sleep and find the rest I need.  I use the 23rd Psalm.  I silently review it over and over until I fall asleep. 

I am not saying that this will work for everyone but the truth in those short lines is eternal.  It reinforces the understanding of who we are to the Father and how much he cares for us.  It addresses the present and the future.  It puts us in mind of the relationship we have with all things.  They are under the Father’s care and control.

When I am trying to transform the assailing night into blessed darkness, I must focus on truth and the comfort the Father offers, Dear Reader.  I forget and suffer needlessly.  When, however, I remember to dwell on the words of the Father, I find better rest.  I hope this helps you but I am sure recalling this truth has already benefitted me.

Psalm 23 (NASB)

The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want.  He makes me lie down in green pastures;
He leads me beside quiet waters. He restores my soul; He guides me in the paths of righteousness for His name’s sake.  Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I fear no evil, for You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; You have anointed my head with oil; My cup overflows.  Surely goodness and lovingkindness will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.

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 homeowner. He liberally hands out new and old things from his great treasure store.”
(͡° ͜ʖ ͡°)

Every human story is part of the great story that leads to the Father getting everything back to Good.

Contacts for Aramis Thorn:
#aramisthorn
Support Page on Patreon: www.patreon.com/aramisthorn
Novels: From My Publisher or on Amazon          
Web Page:  www.aramisthorn.com
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When simply bringing our thoughts into captivity is not enough, focusing our thoughts on the things that help us makes us stronger.

28 September 2020

Second Thoughts ~ September 28, 1987

Greetings Dear Reader,

It was thirty-three years ago this night.  I sat there with Maxim at age two and Bezel who was only a couple of months old.  I had been anticipating this night for weeks.  I had already been nurturing Maxim on the older version and he too in his own way anticipated what we would see.

Star Trek: The Next Generation blazed to life with the first episode, Encounter at Farpoint.  It would take a few episodes for the show to find its footing.  Still, all the elements were there.  The new captain, Picard, was a good one.  Number One, Will Riker, reminded me more of Kirk.  There was a Klingon officer and a blind pilot. 


The new Enterprise had many new things to enjoy and the show rekindled the television layer of the franchise with great success.  TNG would run for seven seasons.  During that time, I would gather with my children and friends to watch the series, discuss it, and ponder the social commentary if offered. 

It created a place where my family and friends could always find common ground.  It did give Star Trek to a new generation.  I was able to pass on a love that I had held since I was six to my sons and others.  It allowed me to forge some friendships that have endured for decades.  When I was a professor, I would end each semester by inviting students to my home for all night Star Trek marathons that ended with me making pancakes in the morning. 

As the newer series unfold, I find again the intrigue, joy, and gratitude that is held in this world through which I have traveled since I was a boy.  I have not always lived up to the standards that it holds dear but I am reclaiming that place slowly.  I find many of the truths that are part of my faith in this vast fiction that imagines a better world and better humans.  I have also had to work through the deaths of some of the original series cast. 

As I celebrate this moment, this day, I can see the joy that followed as my sons would watch Star Trek with me each week.  I can remember all good things that we shared and hope that they can as well.  They want to leave a better world than they inherited and I am proud of them for that.  I express my gratitude to Gene Rodenberry for his creation and the hope that it gave me as a boy, as a young father, and as I face the approach of that Undiscovered Country.  After all, it is possible to love each other enough to overcome any obstacle if we are willing.  Dear Reader, “Things are only impossible until they are not.” Jean-Luc Picard

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 homeowner. He liberally hands out new and old things from his great treasure store.”
(͡° ͜ʖ ͡°)

Every human story is part of the great story that leads to the Father getting everything back to Good.

Contacts for Aramis Thorn:
#aramisthorn
Support Page on Patreon: www.patreon.com/aramisthorn
Novels: From My Publisher or on Amazon          
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Space: the final frontier. These are the voyages of the starship Enterprise. Its continuing mission: to explore strange new worlds. To seek out new life and new civilizations. To boldly go where no one has gone before!

Blessed Darkness ~ The Mind Killer

Greetings Dear Reader,

When the darkness descends, the thinking begins.  Thoughts arise out of our inner darkness to taunt, tempt, and trouble us.  We all see the jokes and memes about it.  The difficulty is that when it occurs, it is not funny.

The beginning is where the war can be won.  The battle for our peace in the darkness begins in our minds.  As the thoughts of fear and frustration ascend in the night, we can choose what we do with them.  If we habitually entertain them then the natural flow is that we are possessed by them; we become them.  Our peace is tortured by our past, our thoughts, and our choices.


The better way is to choose not to allow the thoughts that are negative and false to gain presence.  We are not required to ponder the past and its pain.  We can choose to think well instead of letting our minds roam into areas that harm us.  This kind of battle is one we all face. Paul suggests to the Corinthians, “For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh, for the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh, but divinely powerful for the destruction of fortresses. We are destroying speculations and every lofty thing raised up against the knowledge of God, and we are taking every thought captive to the obedience of Christ.”

I can think of no better description of the war we wage within.  If we do not discipline our thoughts then the things that lie to us about our value and worth plague us.  It is not always easy but it is doable.  The fortresses of doubt and fear that we have built may be strong.  The weapons of love, kindness, and grace, when applied to ourselves are powerful enough to destroy them.  We may need assistance getting our footing here.  There may have been so much negative thought that we even have a chemical imbalance that needs treatment.  The aid of mental health professionals is nothing to be ashamed of concerning these things. 

Still, no matter how much outside help we are given, it is up to us to bring into captivity all of our thoughts.  It may help to distract ourselves with screens and scrolling but that will not heal our minds.  We must think well. When the thoughts assail me that lead down the path to pain and fear, I must capture them and confront them with the truth of how the Father views me.

It is the love of the Father that is our power.  It is the truth of our place in following Christ that leads us to right thinking about who we are and our worth.  It is the light of these things that is our comfort in the blessed darkness, Dear Reader.  The first step in turning the darkness from cursed to blessed is choosing what thoughts we will bring to light. 

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 homeowner. He liberally hands out new and old things from his great treasure store.”
(͡° ͜ʖ ͡°)

Every human story is part of the great story that leads to the Father getting everything back to Good.

Contacts for Aramis Thorn:
#aramisthorn
Support Page on Patreon: www.patreon.com/aramisthorn
Novels: From My Publisher or on Amazon          
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For as he thinks within himself, so he is.

27 September 2020

Blessed Darkness ~ Opening Thoughts

Greetings Dear Reader,

One of the things that challenges me is that we are required to find joy in our difficulties.  It used to be that when the night settled in around me and I was alone, that I wrestled with the troubles that plagued me.  Worry and doubt were my constant companions in the darkness.


I know that I am not alone in this struggle. I have friends who fight their hardest battles when they are alone.  It is the night, intended for rest and restoration that manifest their fear and pain.  I do not claim to have the answers but I have found some things that make it easier.  I am not even saying that what I try to live will work for you.  I am going to think through the things that put me in the right place to sleep so that I maintain my balance and perspective.  If you gather some help along the way, I am delighted.

Over the next few days, as I think through the nights, what I share may trigger questions in other areas.  I want to send a clear reminder that two things are true.  The first is that I write this to work on my own faith and following.  Sharing it is a way to be accountable and to perhaps help you, Dear Reader.  The second is that your thoughts and questions are always welcome.  If you ask them in the blog comments, I will answer them publicly.  If you prefer to email me that is good as well.  I love you, Dear Reader, and will always be willing to be open to honest questions.

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 homeowner. He liberally hands out new and old things from his great treasure store.”
(͡° ͜ʖ ͡°)

Every human story is part of the great story that leads to the Father getting everything back to Good.

Contacts for Aramis Thorn:
#aramisthorn
Support Page on Patreon: www.patreon.com/aramisthorn
Novels: From My Publisher or on Amazon          
Web Page:  www.aramisthorn.com
Bookings: aramisthorn@aramisthorn.com
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BLOG Archive:  http://aramisthorn.blogspot.com/ 

“… we plead and we pray for a glimmer of day as the night folds its wings and descends, exposing the loose ends.” – Dan Fogelberg

26 September 2020

Guardians of Forever ~ Closing Thoughts

Greetings Dear Reader,

We stand a post.  We are the sentries of forever.  Some things are true whether we believe them or not.  That we are the ones entrusted with standing watch over the Undiscovered Country is one of them.   

There is nothing that can stand against us if we keep watch as we are supposed to do.  Our weapons are not iron and steel.  They are forged for us out of love and light.  They are meant to heal and rescue not wound and kill.  We are designed to watch and care.  We are meant to be door wardens.  Helping others find their way in and begin to follow with us. 


Choosing to be this to our fullest grants so many adventures.  We get to live in the moment, seeking Christ our King, and loving him and his leading.  The journey unfolds to give us moments where we are allowed to see Jesus reach into the lives of others and draw them into the ranks of his guardians. 

No matter what comes at me, if I am standing my post or following in faith, I can rest in the certainty that the Father has it in his hands.  The entire journey home is filled with opportunity.  The post is not an easy one but it can be filled with joy if we remember where we are headed. 

We do not guard buildings and holdings.  It is not the things we make that require our vigilance.  It is that which lies ahead.  It is that which arises from our love and kindness that needs care.  It is our faith over which we stand watch.  We are guardians of hope, Dear Reader.  We are guardians of things that can never die.  We are guardians of love, eternal unquenchable love.  In this, we are guardians of forever.

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 homeowner. He liberally hands out new and old things from his great treasure store.”
(͡° ͜ʖ ͡°)

Every human story is part of the great story that leads to the Father getting everything back to Good.

Contacts for Aramis Thorn:
#aramisthorn
Support Page on Patreon: www.patreon.com/aramisthorn
Novels: From My Publisher or on Amazon          
Web Page:  www.aramisthorn.com
Bookings: aramisthorn@aramisthorn.com
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“Even if it all went wrong, I’ll stand before the Lord of Song with nothing on my lips but Hallelujah.” – Leonard Cohen

25 September 2020

Guardians of Forever ~ Standing Humbly

Greetings Dear Reader,

For decades I carried in my mind and heart the idea that it was them versus us.  When I first encountered the Jesus that is in the Bible, those who introduced me to him, some not all, had a very strong feeling of enmity regarding other humans.  They were not evil.  They were mistaken.


I was so eager in my desire to please and uneducated in my understanding of the love of the Father, that took up arms mental, spiritual, and emotional against anything that my leaders said was wrong.  I heard “love the sinner and hate the sin.”  That did not keep me from seeing how many in that circle did not really apply it.  The loving the sinner part was only insomuch as it applied to getting them on our side. 

Again, it was not everyone, but it was those who oversaw much of my early education as to what Christians were to be.  At the heart of this was an expectation that is both unjust and unreasonable.  For example, one youth minister that I knew told me that I should not share meals with those who did not share my new moral standards.  When I asked why Jesus ate with publicans and sinners his response was a weak “well we are not Jesus are we?”

Years later I came to see that when we are given the righteousness of God at redemption, we too often take on self-righteousness.  We feel that we must impose good and holy standards on others and condemn them for unacceptable morality.  We choose to make others feel rejected because they do not behave like Christ-followers.

In that attitude lies the pride that drives others away from us.  My thoughts about the behavior of others are not what shows the love and grace of the Father.  They are not what reflect the love and compassion of Jesus.  In short, it is not the place of those who guard forever to expect those who do not believe to act like those who do believe.  There are places where we must stand against things that are wrong but we must not anticipate that those who do not share our faith will agree. 

In order to do this in love, our guardianship must be carried out in humility and grace.  It is our responsibility to live out what we believe without diminishing for a moment the certainty that we love those who do not share our beliefs.  It seems that we must master humbly loving righteous, holy, and good standards whilst also carrying unlimited love for those who disagree with us.  To expect those who have not been redeemed to act like they have is to foster a lie, Dear Reader.

When I see that my standards have bled over into judgment of those who do not share my faith, it is I that must change.  I must reassert the standard of love and grace whilst adding more humility.  I have to set aside the idea that I can anticipate that those who do not believe have the power to follow Christ with the fullness that I possess.  Until an individual reaches the place where they are following Christ in faith, judging them is an exercise in redundant futility.  After all, it is unjust to expect those who do not possess forever to be able to guard it.

A note of gratitude:  Thank you Avalon for the gift of Quotable Star Trek by Jill Sherwin.  Reading some of these lines out of context makes for some good deep thoughts and questions

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 homeowner. He liberally hands out new and old things from his great treasure store.”
(͡° ͜ʖ ͡°)

Every human story is part of the great story that leads to the Father getting everything back to Good.

Contacts for Aramis Thorn:
#aramisthorn
Support Page on Patreon: www.patreon.com/aramisthorn
Novels: From My Publisher or on Amazon          
Web Page:  www.aramisthorn.com
Bookings: aramisthorn@aramisthorn.com
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“It is unfair to expect Starfleet behavior from someone who has never been to the academy” Captain Janeway

24 September 2020

Guardians of Forever ~ All There Is

Greetings Dear Reader,

Recently, I received a long response to one of my postings from someone objecting to the entire idea that there is a God who interacts with us.  He claims to be a naturalist and that this life is all there is.  I am not going to argue the existence of God here but I am going to address how this relates to guarding forever.


The reason that this matters is the application of faith.  First, I would establish the semantics of my thoughts.  I state atheism as the belief that there is not a God.  This is different from the statement that one does not believe in God. The former says definitively that one believes that no God exists.  The latter can be responded to with an inquiry into which God is being excluded.

For one to claim that God does not exist is a statement of belief.  There must be a leap of faith to make this claim.  One cannot prove that there is no God, no intelligent design, unless one solves the problem of infinite regression.  This is the idea that in order for the natural world to become a reality there must be an infinite series of perfect accidents that lead to the existence of everything. 

The further back we regress this to find a beginning, the more infinitely improbable the maths become.  I believe that it takes greater faith to believe there is not a God than to believe there is.  The sum of it, however, is that to believe there is or is not a God is a leap of faith.  I will not delve into the idea of how Pascal’s Wager plays into this but this is part of the foundation of my faith.

How this all works into my quest to follow Christ is simple.  I am expected not only to believe but to know why I believe.  Part of guarding forever is that my faith is reasonable.  If you wish to listen to are reasonable and intelligent argument for the existence of God, I recommend Richard Swinburn of Edenborough University.  I have met the man and his presentation is not only practical but quite plausible.

Guarding forever is reminding my heart and mind from time to time that my faith is reasonable and sound.  In the flotsam and jetsam of some of the irrational things that some of my fellow followers espouse, there is still the line of truth that we are accepted by the Father through faith alone.  It is our belief that creates the relationship.  It is the Father who extends love and grace to us by asking us to believe.  He leaves the choice to each of us. 

If I am to remain a guardian of that which is eternal, I must accept that the Father is there and that his love for us draws us to him.  I am very careful about accepting the baggage we add to the basic requirement to believe in the Father and follow the Son. What I must not do is to consistently return to the place where I question faith.  I must hold secure in my belief and recall how I arrived at it.  Circumstances and situations do not determine truth.  Faith is required to see that this is not all there is, Dear Reader.  It is by sustaining that faith through the love and grace of the Father that I find my place to stand in guarding my belief that this is not all there is.

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 homeowner. He liberally hands out new and old things from his great treasure store.”
(͡° ͜ʖ ͡°)

Every human story is part of the great story that leads to the Father getting everything back to Good.

Contacts for Aramis Thorn:
#aramisthorn
Support Page on Patreon: www.patreon.com/aramisthorn
Novels: From My Publisher or on Amazon          
Web Page:  www.aramisthorn.com
Bookings: aramisthorn@aramisthorn.com
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Whether you find your faith in the existence of God from the Bible or Steven King, that you find it is the vital first step in guarding forever.

23 September 2020

Guardians of Forever ~ No One Likes Everyone

Greetings Dear Reader,

I used to say to folks that “I am required to love you, but I like you too and I have a choice about that.”  It was intended to let people know that I cared about them by choice and not just obligation.  Someone then asked me how I lovingly disliked someone. 


Once that question was posed, I had to take time to think through the process of choosing to dislike someone.  When it came down to it, we choose to dislike people because of our own prejudice or because of their behavior.  We know that our own prejudices are outside of the love of Christ, and, therefore, forbidden.  I will not belabor that.  When I find my own prejudice causing dislike, it is time for me to change my heart.

Then there is the dislike based on behavior.  If I think through this, it becomes a process that butts up against love.  Here is my process and how I work through it.  I will warn you, it ain’t easy.  If my dislike is based on preferences, then it is not justified.  To dismiss anyone based on preference is to feed my pride and act in an unloving manner.  Dislike of another based on preference is, therefore, disallowed.

What about evil or malevolent people, I ponder?  This leads to a couple of difficult questions.  The first thing I must address is that every human is to be loved by me.  If I am dismissing someone, it is difficult to show her or him love.  We have forgotten, I think, how to disagree about morality and values and still be loving.  If we do not show consistent love no one will hear our message that there is a better way.

Further, when I set aside those who hate me, I am no better than they are.  We need to remember that we are the ones who compare sin and marginalize those whose sin we consider worse than ours.  If I dislike someone because I find the flavor of their sin odious, I am missing the point that the Father knew the nature of every human when he commanded us to love everyone.  In the case of people who seem evil to me, if I dislike them, I am failing to recall my own unrighteousness and the depth of grace I need. 

If I am going to obey everything the Father commands, loving others is a foundation but it is not enough.  Guarding forever means being good, kind, generous, and peaceful with everyone.  I have to extend these things to all humans in a spirit of guarding the love of the Father for them.  It takes another quality that needs constant revision.  I must focus on humility as well, Dear Reader.

No one likes everyone.  I think that I must, however, endeavor to see the beauty and uniqueness that the Father has created in every human.  We are all eternal beings trapped in a temporal shell.  If I train my mind and heart to be good and kind to everyone, I am guarding that which reaches into eternity.  I am guarding forever.

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 homeowner. He liberally hands out new and old things from his great treasure store.”
(͡° ͜ʖ ͡°)

Every human story is part of the great story that leads to the Father getting everything back to Good.

Contacts for Aramis Thorn:
#aramisthorn
Support Page on Patreon: www.patreon.com/aramisthorn
Novels: From My Publisher or on Amazon          
Web Page:  www.aramisthorn.com
Bookings: aramisthorn@aramisthorn.com
Facebook      
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22 September 2020

Guardians of Forever ~ The Shade Tree

Greetings Dear Reader,

I was privileged to enjoy dinner in a park Sunday evening.  It was a cooler evening heralding Autumn’s arrival today.  The quality of the evening light reminded me of an Autumn evening some years ago. 

In the evening in the past, I sat in the shade of my Grandfather’s large pecan tree.  The sun shown on the lawn all around me but my Grandfather and I were sitting in that shade separating tomatoes for my Grandmother.   My Grandfather was teaching me which ones were good for canning and which ones were not.


The air changed around me and I felt chilled.  My Grandfather saw this and without a word stood up, moved the half-bushel basket of tomatoes, and signaled for me to stand.  He then moved the bench into the sunlight.  Once we were seated and sorting again, he spoke.  “Remember that when you feel the chill of coming darkness, there is always still warmth from the light.  Move to it.”

It would be some years before I understood his metaphor.  What stuck with me in that moment was the way in which my Grandfather watched over me with great care.  He saw my need and acted to care for it without hesitation.  The same tree that had shaded us from the August heat could not protect me from a September chill.  He did not respond to the shade or the weather.  He cared for the need of his grandson. 

As guardians go, my Grandfather always put my needs above almost anything.  His love reminded me constantly that I mattered.  We must be this way.  It is our duty and privilege to watch over others and attend to their needs when we can.  It is one of the best ways to put hands and feet on the love of Christ. 

If my heart is committed to kindness and generosity, I can be alert and attentive to the needs of others.  I can guard things that become eternal.  It is not necessary for my actions even to be known, Dear Reader.  The idea that we can secretly care for others is very attractive to me.  It leads to many opportunities to hear the Spirit speak and have my faith strengthened whilst doing something good for someone. 

It all comes from a willingness to enjoy others benefiting without calling attention to it.  It requires attending to needs without trying to meet our want or need for glory.  As guardians of forever, we are promised a day when that which we do in secret will be known and our efforts will reveal their results.  What I look forward to is learning how the story ends.  I look toward the day when those over whom I have briefly watched were drawn closer to Christ because of my walking with him. 

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 homeowner. He liberally hands out new and old things from his great treasure store.”
(͡° ͜ʖ ͡°)

Every human story is part of the great story that leads to the Father getting everything back to Good.

Contacts for Aramis Thorn:
#aramisthorn
Support Page on Patreon: www.patreon.com/aramisthorn
Novels: From My Publisher or on Amazon          
Web Page:  www.aramisthorn.com
Bookings: aramisthorn@aramisthorn.com
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Sometimes we must move to care for others before they have a chance to deny their needs.

21 September 2020

Guardians of Forever ~ Overwatch

Greetings Dear Reader,

I had an encounter this weekend where I played a small part in being kind to someone.  The event unfolded oddly and it was clear that I should help.  It was just as clear that I would be unable to follow-up with the assisted individual.


The guardian in me wants more information and answers.  I need to know if the person is OK.  Really, however, it is not a need.  I want to know if the person needs further assistance.  That is good and kind but not for me to pursue.  This all gets at the great flaw that a guardian carries and must not abide.

It is not my place to take a moment of helping someone and turn it into a career.  If I am to be of use, I must accept that things will unfold as they should if I do my part and only my part.  I cannot see the whole picture.  When I try to stay in step with another longer than I should, I am not fulfilling my role properly. 

I have written about my calling to stand by the door.  Instead of living out that role, I have at times tried to be something different and it always ends badly.  I am not supposed to make the journey about my knowing or understanding.  Guarding forever means that I know I will understand further along and that must be enough.  My faith requires that I help where I am needed and allow the rest to unfold as the Father sees fit.

Wanting to know is not wrong as long as the thought does not germinate the desire to divert and keep things within my circle of influence.  If we are going to guard forever, Dear Reader we must realize that we will not always know how the story ends here.  We must have faith to believe that it will unfold as it should.

Many things require that I be involved for just a moment.  The interactions of kindness and grace that I am allowed may only last a moment.  If all I can do is hand out some kindness, mercy, love, grace, or cold water in the name of Christ, I am doing my part.  It is then incumbent upon me to look for Christ in the next moment for his guidance of what we are to do. 

We are all guardians of forever when we do what is needed without grasping for anything else.  If my eyes are fixed on Christ and following his lead, there is no room for me to grasp things that are not my concern.  If I keep focus on following Christ, the journey will be filled with adventure that I cannot imagine.  I must do what Christ needs me to do over what I wish to know or do every time.  In that, I find that I can worry less and follow more nearly.  I must leave the overwatch to the Father as he knows how each of us will serve best the plan to get all things back to good.

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 homeowner. He liberally hands out new and old things from his great treasure store.”
(͡° ͜ʖ ͡°)

Every human story is part of the great story that leads to the Father getting everything back to Good.

Contacts for Aramis Thorn:
#aramisthorn
Support Page on Patreon: www.patreon.com/aramisthorn
Novels: From My Publisher or on Amazon          
Web Page:  www.aramisthorn.com
Bookings: aramisthorn@aramisthorn.com
Facebook      
Twitter        
Medium         
Instagram 
BLOG Archive:  http://aramisthorn.blogspot.com/ 

 

Trying to be a guardian over what is not mine always leads to me failing to properly guard what is.

20 September 2020

Second Thoughts ~ Project Tortoiseshell Part IV

Greetings Dear Reader,

I promised an update on my quest for a motorhome.  Here is a quick summary.  You can follow the entire thread here if you wish:  Project Tortoiseshell Part IPart II, and Part III.  The idea is that I can currently work from anywhere that I have an internet connection.  This has developed into my dream of having a specific motorhome and being more nomadic.


If you read my blog this morning you will know that for about ten hours, I thought I would realize this.  Instead, the Father used the circumstances to strengthen my faith and allow me to be of help to someone in need.  What is most important in this quest is that I remain faithful.   Here is the process.

I must keep refining my faithfulness in seeking only to encounter Jesus in the moment.
I will not go into debt or force obtaining the motorhome.
I will keep working at writing and learning to follow the voice of the Spirit in my interactions.
I will live frugally and without obtaining material possessions that are unnecessary so that I am ready when the time arrives.

If you have questions about any of this, Dear Reader, please ask.  I do some help from you.  I am not going to ask you for money.

Please pray for me and my writing as well as Project Tortoiseshell.
Share my blog on your social media pages.
Go to my new web site and sign up for my newsletter.  www.aramisthorn.com
When you like my posts that you read, share them.
Ask me questions when you have them.

I cannot do this on my own but the one I follow can and will.  The make and model I want is becoming harder to find but I know that all things will unfold as they should.  This is, as it should be, a journey of faith.  I am thankful that you are part of 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 homeowner. He liberally hands out new and old things from his great treasure store.”

(͡° ͜ʖ ͡°)

Every human story is part of the great story that leads to the Father getting everything back to Good.

Contacts for Aramis Thorn:
#aramisthorn
Support Page on Patreon: www.patreon.com/aramisthorn
Novels: From My Publisher or on Amazon          
Web Page:  www.aramisthorn.com
Bookings: aramisthorn@aramisthorn.com
Facebook      
Twitter        
Medium         
Instagram 
BLOG Archive:  http://aramisthorn.blogspot.com/ 

 

The Tortoise may move slowly but he is always at home.

Guardians of Forever ~ Broken Joy

Greetings Dear Reader,

Yesterday I mentioned that I had some news to share regarding Project Tortoiseshell.  At that writing, I had plans to drive to purchase the one I have wanted for so long.  The price was within what has been given to me for the project.  I indicated that I would journey to view it and likely purchase it.


I attended to my morning Bible, breakfast, and BLOG before checking my email.  It was the email that broke my anticipatory joy.  It was quickly clear that my hope was really a scam.  The motorhome and the offer were a lie to get me to give exploitable information.  I did not fall for it but the anticipated joy of the day dissolved as I read.

It took me a moment to get past the discouragement.  I hurt over the things I had imagined and hoped for finally completing this step in my journey.  I took some time to pray and hurt; allowing the Father to speak.  All he said was, “I have plans for you that are better than you imagine. Guard your faith” 

I chose to run some errands after indulging in a second breakfast at a local diner.  As I drove to the diner, I asked the Father to help me find someone to talk to about how I felt.  I arrived at the diner, parked, and took a seat inside.  I had just ordered my beverage when in walked my dear friends Jason and Misty.

They know of my dreams and desire.  They understand and support me.  It broke on me just how much the Father heard my heart.  We had a wonderful breakfast talking about many things including my heartbreak.  We sat in faith in that diner doing our part as guardians for forever talking about the things that matter and encouraging each other. 

I must say, Dear Reader, that having my faith so clearly reassured is much better than owning anything.  I know that Project Tortoiseshell will come to fruition when it is the proper time.  I also know that when I am tempted to be discouraged, I must be a guardian of forever.  I must have faith that the Father has all under his sway.  He is moving every piece toward making forever as it should be.  That is the place I am headed and I only wish to follow Christ in getting there.

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 homeowner. He liberally hands out new and old things from his great treasure store.”
(͡° ͜ʖ ͡°)

Every human story is part of the great story that leads to the Father getting everything back to Good.

Contacts for Aramis Thorn:
#aramisthorn
Support Page on Patreon: www.patreon.com/aramisthorn
Novels: From My Publisher or on Amazon          
Web Page:  www.aramisthorn.com
Bookings: aramisthorn@aramisthorn.com
Facebook      
Twitter        
Medium         
Instagram 
BLOG Archive:  http://aramisthorn.blogspot.com/

 

 Guarding forever must begin with guarding our hearts.