Thoughts and Questions from Aramis Thorn: April 2021

30 April 2021

Aura of Protection ~ Closing Thoughts

We have lost much of our understanding of nobility. I am not talking about a pridefully claimed station in society. That is mostly rubbish. What I do see is a lack of humans being noble with one another.

As followers of Christ, we are supposed to protect the weak. Whether their need is physical, social, or spiritual, it is our obligation to use our strength to care for them. This is not limited to those who believe as we do. It is to apply to all humans. Power and love must radiate from us to draw others to see Jesus for who he really is.

I must do all that I can to make others feel safe, loved, and blessed. I must project an aura of kindness and compassion wherever I go and toward anyone I encounter. The Father has provided me with armor. He has equipped me with all that I need to love others. The Spirit will radiate from me to help others see their need for the Son. All I have to do is love the Father with all that I am and obey the command to love others in all that I choose to do.

In accomplishing all of this, I must daily embrace humility. In taking humility as my companion, I can learn to see others as better than me, Dear Reader. I am not saying I must think poorly of my own self. I am saying that I must seek to uphold the weak and count on the Father to uphold me. I must cling to virtue and valor as my standard and depend on the Spirit to give me the power to live it. I must seek the truth and remember that Jesus is the truth.

In faith and following, I can build an aura of protection that radiates around me. You can too, Dear Reader. The world needs people who will cling to Christ, love the Father, and honor the old code. I am determined by the Father’s grace to spend my remaining years becoming this. I hope you will join me. You are always welcome.

The Vigil – Kemper Crabb

Waiting for flame in eye of night, I am the fuel for your fire
Light calls ever unto light. Make me a fleshen pyre.
Touch my lips with the altering coal; leave your shining upon my soul.
Zion shall ever be my goal; Zion the telling of light.

Scanning the silence with inward ears; life is a listening.
Enfolded in echoes of timeless years; the Word comes whistling.
Build my being from your throat; meld my meaning with every note.
Wrap me round in an aural cloak, so I may truly hear.

Drawn towards destinies darkling kite, riven by reality
Riding the passion to terrible height, life upon death’s tree
Cause me to drink from the chalice of fire. Forge me anew in the heat of desire
Let me inhabit the holy empire and make war on the armies of night.

Wishing you joy in the journey,

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/

“Waiting for flame in eye of night, I am the fuel for your fire.”

29 April 2021

Aura of Protection ~ Jousting with Humility

Greetings Dear Reader,

In the stage musical, Camelot, the knight, Sir Lancelot is being honest about his prowess in battle. He is not being boastful or arrogant but the truth can sound that way at times. Still, Guinevere asks a pertinent question.

She means it as an insult but anyone sworn to valor and virtue would welcome the question and can answer it honestly every day. The queen asks him, “Have you jousted with humility lately?” The question is always a valid one when we seek to follow Christ. It is only through humility that we find a way to wield our power with love and compassion.

When we fail at humility, we place demands and expectations on our love. This kills the impact of the love. We may still love the person but it cannot be seen because of pride, arrogance, or expectations.

Humility is the elusive unending quest of every Paladin. As my Grandfather used to say, “The problem with humility is that the moment you think you have it, you have lost it.” If we are to project a true aura of protection to others, we must diminish our own pride. We must constantly joust with humility and hope that it wins every time.

All that we are and do is a product of grace. The Father gives grace to the humble. My dear friend, Adam said that I am humble when we talked this week. He had no idea that humility was part of my writing this week. When he said it, I heard my Grandfather’s words echo in my mind. When we see humility in others, we should find a way to encourage them as Adam did for me. When others recognize humility in us, we must fight off the feeling of accomplishment and ask the Father to use his grace to give us more humility.

Each time we are asked to be the Paladin in the life of another human, we must hold our first fight against pride, judgment, and arrogance. All that we have that is good is through the grace of the Father and the mercy of Jesus. The Spirit will extend the grace to us to embrace humility every time we try. In those moments, Dear Reader, we align our path with faith and following that can spread our aura of protection around those who need it. We can be a blessing and help light the path. I only want my armor to shine so that it can reflect Jesus.

Wishing you joy in the journey,

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

There is a daily contest in which we must participate and lose.

28 April 2021

Aura of Protection ~ Blessing

Greetings Dear Reader,

One of the things that we must be as Christ-followers is a blessing to others. We should strive to leave other humans better than we find them. We must be those who see every interaction as an opportunity to show and share the love of the Father.

The Paladin was to represent blessing just because he was in the room. His power was to have others take courage and embrace hope because of his presence. The Father wishes for us to be that kind of blessing to others. Jesus made it clear that our arrival should be seen as a good thing because of how we treat others.

There are those who do not see me this way because of my past failures. There are those who see the difference in me and find a blessing there. What I must cultivate is the power to have an aura of blessing without taking pride in it. I must strive to be a blessing to others and remain humble.

Any good thing that comes from me is because of Christ in me; working through me. If all that I possess is Jesus, then the Spirit can project that to others to make them feel safe. Our aura of protection can extend over time so that others feel hope when we arrive. It is in this long-term blessing that we can earn the right to be heard about the joy that is found in loving the Father and following the Son. The same joy is found in loving all that the Father has made and allowing the Spirit to use us to show that love.

We are meant to be a blessing. We are designed to care for others with love and compassion. It is in living that design that we find our purpose, Dear Reader. It is in projecting an aura of protection that is a blessing to others that we find our way home. The Spirit will do the projecting if we allow him to carry us where he wills.

Wishing you joy in the journey,

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

We can be a blessing to others simply by being there if we cultivate it.

27 April 2021

Aura of Protection ~ The Safety of Others

Greetings Dear Reader,

One of the things we must do is to make others feel safe in our presence. We may not be wielding swords or be towers of physical strength. We can provide an aura of protection for others in ways that transcend the physical.

If we provide an area that is free of judgment and filled with love, it provides safe ground for others to see Christ and his love for them. We can listen with hearts of compassion. We can understand without excusing wrong. Choosing not to condemn but give love instead is quite powerful.

Individually and collectively, Christ-followers must present this aura. There is no place within us for auras of judgment, condemnation, and hate. I will never agree with some things being right. The code of Christ forbids this. It also demands that I not deny anyone love and kindness because they do things that are wrong. If this were true, we would all have to live without love and kindness.

I must make it safe for people to approach me in whatever state they find themselves. It is not my place to judge others. That is the work of the Spirit that convinces them of their need for grace and redemption. My role is to project an aura that allows others to feel loved and safe. The place this aura finds its power in is focusing my love on the Father and allowing him to be all that I need.

In this, Dear Reader, we create a space to which others can go to find shelter whilst Christ calls them to himself. We must remember that we are a conduit and our aura of protection a temporary place until others find their own. After all, the Paladin arrives to avert the crisis and then moves on to what is next. “The wind blows wherever it pleases. You hear its sound, but you cannot tell where it comes from or where it is going. So it is with everyone born of the Spirit.”

Wishing you joy in the journey,

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

“The wind blows wherever it pleases. You hear its sound, but you cannot tell where it comes from or where it is going. So it is with everyone born of the Spirit.”

26 April 2021

Second Thoughts ~ Do You See Me?

Greetings Dear Reader,

I do not wish this to sound maudlin or like a complaint. To some, any discussion of vulnerability or difficulty will seem a complaint. There are also those who know my heart and that is enough. My friend Tripp was such an encouragement to me yesterday because he really saw me and my need.

I am not discouraged but my restlessness and desire to be solo in my endeavors has been strong of late. I have learned not to force the issue. I have learned not to manipulate circumstances to my will but, rather, to submit them all to the Father. I have ruined enough by failing to wait on the Father.

Still, today I am longing for freedom to write always and for Project Tortoiseshell to be complete so that I may be in the many places I wish to be. I am not unhappy, Too many confuse longing and unhappiness. As I sat in the evening breeze tonight and prayed, I saw how beautiful it is to be in the hand of the Father. I do need encouragement and prayer. I see progress but I am not always as patient as I should be in things.

I will keep doing my part and await the realization of the vision the Father has given me. I will attempt to love the Father and all others more deeply and with greater fervor. I will continue to share my thoughts and questions with you, Dear Reader. For today, I will also be vulnerable to that part of my heart the yearns for things beyond this place and time. I thank you for your kindness and understanding.

The Road Goes Ever On and On – J.R.R. Tolkien – Performed by CamillasChoice

The Road goes ever on and on
Down from the door where it began.
Now far ahead the Road has gone,
And I must follow if I can,

Pursuing it with eager feet,
Until it joins some larger way
Where many paths and errands meet.
And whither then? I cannot say.

The Road goes ever on and on
Out from the door where it began.
Now far ahead the Road has gone,
Let others follow it who can!

Let them a journey new begin,
But I at last with weary feet
Will turn towards the lighted inn,
My evening-rest and sleep to meet.

Roads go ever on and on,
Over rock and under tree,
By caves where never sun has shone,
By streams that never find the sea;

Over snow by winter sown,
And through the merry flowers of June,
Over grass and over stone,
And under mountains in the moon.

Roads go ever on and on
Under cloud and under star,
Yet feet that wandering have gone
Turn at last to home afar.

Eyes that fire and sword have seen
And horror in the halls of stone
Look at last on meadows green
And trees and hills they long have known.

The Road goes ever on and on
Down from the door where it began.
Now far ahead the Road has gone,
And I must follow, if I can,

Still, round the corner, there may wait
A new road or a secret gate,
And though I oft have passed them by,
A day will come at last when I
Shall take the hidden paths that run
West of the Moon, East of the Sun.

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.

It is possible to live well in the moment and still yearn for what is next.

Aura of Protection ~ The Old Code

Greetings Dear Reader,

Let me begin with this disclaimer; I am not worthy of the things about which I write. That said, one can fail and still warn others not to fail. If not, then the truth that we have all failed in some way precludes anyone from sharing wisdom. Clearly, we can learn from our errors and be a cautionary tale for others. By the Father’s grace and mercy, we can be today more than we were yesterday.

I love dragons. I believe they existed or may even still exist. When the movie Dragon Heart came my way, I was enamored of both the dragon and the knight. What drew me to the knight was the old code. As quoted in the movie, it is simple and straightforward. It contains words we no longer ascribe to good men. These words should always be a part of the aura we project. Here is the old code:

A knight is sworn to valor,
His heart knows only virtue,
His blade defends the helpless,
His might upholds the weak,
His word speaks only truth,
His wrath undoes the wicked.

Our society rarely embraces these ideals now. Valor and virtue are hardly known as words. Those who claim to be righteous rarely defend the helpless. Might is rarely used to uphold the weak. Lies permeate almost everything. Wrath is used to repay petty offenses instead of wickedness.

If we are to project an aura of life and light it must echo these words. We could spend an entire post on each of these items. What I wish to ponder now is how closely this aligns with following Christ. We need to be all these things so that others may feel safe to see Jesus.

We become so embroiled in our politics and social quests that we forget that if we are not caring for what is right and good, we are failing. We must live the old code in the light of the Father’s love. No matter how deeply we have failed, we can begin today to reclaim valor and virtue.

It is in the light of these words that we find the truth that can rub away our tarnished selves. The love of the Father and the redemption of Christ can renew our courage and strength to live the code of love for others. We can learn to project an aura that humbly lives and teaches the old code. We can choose this day and every day moving forward to project the things that draw us to light and life. When others approach me, I must have disciplined my life so that the old code lives within me, Dear Reader. It is never too late to embrace this. It is never too late to choose Christ and follow him.

Wishing you joy in the journey,

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

The code may be old but it is never too late to embrace it.

25 April 2021

Aura of Protection ~ Opening Thoughts

Greetings Dear Reader,

For those of you who do not know it, my pen name comes from the main character in the first story I wrote when I was eight. I had newly discovered writing and spent an entire Christmas break hammering away on an ancient Underwood typewriter. The character I created was a holy knight. I did not yet know the word, Paladin.

A Paladin is a knight. They proceed from the twelve trusted knights of the court of Charlamagne. Aramis Thorn, the mythical paladin has grown over the years and his story now covers three long novels yet to be published. For the purpose of this writing, we need to understand that in fantasy literature a Paladin is a knight sworn to valor and chivalry. He serves a deity and all that he does must align with that deity’s code of faith and practice.

In return for his faithfulness, the Paladin is gifted with auras of protection. These radiate from him just because of who he is. Anyone within the aura is safe from whatever the aura provides. They can be things such as protection from fear, the undead, or even provide a blessing. I will not delve too deeply into that but I think you take my meaning.

What I wish to explore is the relationship between those who follow Christ and the things they should project just because of that. We all project who we are. I want to be sure that what I project is that which precedes from Christ that draws and protects others. I have no hope of being good enough to be considered a holy knight. I can, however, radiate the things that Christ is building in me.

Please travel a little way with me as we ponder the aura we can provide for the sake of others out of love and compassion. The purpose is to learn what we are to provide for others simply because of who we are. As we follow Christ more closely, he will be more evident and what we are becoming will be more visible. As his cousin, John said, Dear Reader, “He must increase and I must decrease.” As always will be the case, your thoughts and questions are welcome.

Wishing you joy in the journey,

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

We project who we are in ways that we do not realize.

24 April 2021

Dead Man’s Opinion ~ Closing Thoughts

Greetings Dear Reader,

I have been curious about death for most of my life. My first novel was about the Angel of Death, Chronicles of Thanatos the Reaper. It is an attempt to show why death is a necessary part of life and a mercy from the Father.

We all share this in common; that we are headed toward an appointment with death. How we live determines our perspective on this eventual event. We do not wish to talk about death. We avoid planning for it.

This seems to deny the faith of those who follow Christ. If where we are headed is so much better, should we not anticipate it with joy? I also think it belies our faith that we talk about the dead in the past tense. Those who have journeyed to that undiscovered country are more alive than we are.

What I must embrace is that I am already dead. I have been since birth. I am made of dirt, will return to dirt but there will be a day when Jesus draws me from the dirt to reunite my body and spirit. What we fear is not the reaper but, rather, the unknown. Fearing what we do not know is at the base of all that we do that is wrong.

As we move on to other thoughts and questions, I am determined to see that all that is ill in this life is fleeting. All that will last is based in love, Dear Reader. We can live in the midst of all this death and create life through that love. That, however, is just this dead man’s opinion.

Wishing you joy in the journey,

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

From it We created you and into it, We shall send you back and from it will We raise you a second time.

23 April 2021

Dead Man’s Opinion ~ There is Not a Scale

Greetings Dear Reader,

As we ponder death and the life we weave, I think there is a false measure we carry that is detrimental to us. I think we live as if God is a greengrocer with a cosmic scale. We act as if our good can outweigh our bad and merit a favorable outcome for us with the Father.

The word in that which kills us over and over is “merit”. When we think that we can merit God’s favor, we embrace death. We ignore the penalty we carry for our failures. It is death. We dismiss the payment Christ made to provide purgation of those failures. It is his death. We think that if we embrace Christ and his propitiation for our sin that we can work out the rest. That too is a form of death.

It is difficult for us to accept that anything outside of loving the Father with all we are yields death. Nothing lives outside of the love of the Father. This means that when I try to create balance by doing good, we are immersing clean into dirty. When we do good out of love for the Father, we create something eternal. There is no cosmic scale.

It is the grace and mercy of the Father that allows us to create anything other than death. It is his love for us that allows us to do anything of value. Just as the Father sends rain upon the just and the unjust, he gives us all the ability to do good things. They only survive when we move out of love.

When I wish to do that which is good, it cannot be to merit the Father’s approval. I must seek the Kingdom first. I must love the Father with all that I am. My approach to everything must be to please the Father because he gives me the grace to do so. Rather, I must see that the way out of death is to love the Father in every moment, follow the Son with every step, and listen to the Spirit every instant.

If I do this, Dear Reader, so many of the things that are dead fall away. I can focus on the journey home and build a life in Christ. Then the scales fall away and all that I care to give is love but that is just this dead man’s opinion.

Wishing you joy in the journey,

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

“I Don’t think it just evens out. I believe it crosses over toward the good, toward the brave, toward love.” – Sasha – The Walking Dead

22 April 2021

Dead Man’s Opinion ~ Jars of Stone

Greetings Dear Reader,

Recently, I watched the first season of the show The Chosen. My favorite moment was the scene of the wedding at Cana. I think they captured the event very close to the way I have always seen it in my head.

They allude to a part of the story that I think we miss if we do not understand Jewish culture. Every devout household kept large stone jars in their home. Those jars had a singular purpose. They were to be filled for the ritual of purification, Tahara. They were for the cleansing of the dead.

Celebrating the feast of a marriage with this act is beautiful enough. Creating the best wine and honoring those being wed with it is a great act of kindness. Taking the time to include this symbolic gesture always impacts me deeply. We always hear about the symbol in this story of the bride of Christ. What we fail to consider is that Jesus brings us this symbol out of the stone jars meant for use on the dead.

In the same act, he celebrates the symbol of a wedding yet to come and reminds us that he is bringing life from the containers meant for death. Good wine from the stone jars that cleanse the dead is a beautiful thing if we take the time to ponder it.

We see in this the reminder that Jesus is determined to bring life from death in ways that show his love. The day will come when we all share new wine, free from death, and filled with the new life Christ has won for us. Jesus said he would not drink wine again until he did so with us in the new Kingdom. Still, I try to ponder this every time I enjoy good wine. I think I can follow more closely when I consider that the jars of stone are a symbol of life not death, Dear Reader. That, however, is just this dead man’s opinion.

Wishing you joy in the journey,

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

The jars of stone meant for the dead offer sparkling pure life.

21 April 2021

Dead Man’s Opinion ~ Mercy and Wrath

Greetings Dear Reader,

I think we avoid the idea that we deserve death. My closest friend says often when asked how he is, “Better than I deserve.” We seem to think we are entitled to things. We live as if we have a right to all that is ours.

We do not like the powerlessness of admitting that all that we have is a gift from the Father. We like to think that we are in control of our lives. The truth that we must face is that we control very little. The illusion of control exists because we think that we determine our own destiny.

As I strive to give all that I am to loving the Father, I find that I wish to control very little. I also find that I prefer mercy to wrath. Since I am in need of much mercy, it makes me desire to be merciful with others. I work at doing to them as I would have the Father do for me. It is a much lighter burden to forgive out of love and mercy than it is to carry around anger and vengeance.

Part of the death of self that I mentioned yesterday is choosing to have mercy whenever it is needed. If I give up the part of me that wants to claim vengeance through wrath, I can find more peace and more room to be loving and kind. I can see the heart of the Father to displace wrath with mercy.

Death to self requires that even when I am right that I choose to love others over being right. I need to extend mercy over condemnation, judgment, and wrath. I need to deal in grace that evidences the love of the Father that I wish to flow through me to others.

As the world boils in anger over social, political, and religious issues, we can stand out because of our love. We die to wrath and anger in ways that transcend understanding. We love others beyond what they deserve, but that, Dear Reader, is just this dead man’s opinion,

Wishing you joy in the journey,

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

Mercy over Judgement – James the brother of Jesus

20 April 2021

Second Thoughts ~ On the Conviction of Derek Chauvin

Greetings Dear Reader,

This will be a short read. When the announcement came out that Derek Chauvin was convicted of all counts in the killing of George Floyd. The courts have ruled and that should be the end of any discussion of guilt.

What I want to see is my fellow Christ-followers go all out for both men. Jesus talked about visiting those in prison as well as caring for widows and orphans. We need to stand in the place of showing redemptive love for everyone involved. If we cannot do this, we had best not claim Christ as our own.

When Brandt Jean showed public grace and forgiveness to his brother’s killer, that reflected the love and mercy of Christ. None of us deserve grace or mercy but we are all obligated to show it to anyone needing it. The trial is over, Dear Reader. It is time to pray for all who need to heal from this and change the things that keep us from wanting to do that.

Wishing you joy in the journey,

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

My grace must apply to everyone.

Thoughts and Questions from Aramis Thorn

30 April 2021

Aura of Protection ~ Closing Thoughts

29 April 2021

Aura of Protection ~ Jousting with Humility

28 April 2021

Aura of Protection ~ Blessing

27 April 2021

Aura of Protection ~ The Safety of Others

26 April 2021

Second Thoughts ~ Do You See Me?

Aura of Protection ~ The Old Code

25 April 2021

Aura of Protection ~ Opening Thoughts

24 April 2021

Dead Man’s Opinion ~ Closing Thoughts

23 April 2021

Dead Man’s Opinion ~ There is Not a Scale

22 April 2021

Dead Man’s Opinion ~ Jars of Stone

21 April 2021

Dead Man’s Opinion ~ Mercy and Wrath

20 April 2021

Second Thoughts ~ On the Conviction of Derek Chauvin

Where to Find Me

About Me

Followers

Blog Archive

30 April 2021

29 April 2021

28 April 2021

27 April 2021

26 April 2021

25 April 2021

24 April 2021

23 April 2021

22 April 2021

21 April 2021

20 April 2021

Where to Find Me

Subscribe To

About Me

Followers

Blog Archive