Invincible Vulnerability ~ Closing Thoughts

Greetings Dear Reader,

We cannot be invulnerable.  When we try, the chinks in our armor are exposed.  The holes in our thoughts and beliefs are found.  That which assails us gets in and does damage.  We are flawed failed and vulnerable whether we wish it or not.

It is only when we use the armor that is not ours, but provided by the Spirit that we can achieve invincibility.  Faith, salvation, righteousness, truth, and the good news of Jesus Christ are our armor provided by the Father.  Around that armor is a cloak made of zealous love directed toward the Father and every human that lives.

When David faced Goliath, he refused the armor offered him because he had not proven it.  He had not tested it and learned to fight wearing it.  His weapon was a sling.  He had practiced over and over with it whilst tending his Father’s sheep.   Whilst bringing lunch to his brothers, he saw how his God was being treated, he became a warrior.

He knew that the Father was enough.  He knew that standing against Goliath was his only choice.  David chose five stones because Goliath had four brothers.  He embraced the good news that redemption provides and walked out to meet the giant.  He was unashamed to be armor-less because his armor was the truth that the Father had always protected him.  His righteousness protected his heart that burned with zeal for his God.  His head was covered and protected with the certain knowledge that the Father would save him.  Goliath’s sword and spear could not reach David because of his faith.

David was vulnerable but invincible.  His response to Goliath’s challenge burned from his love for God; "The LORD, who saved me from the lion and the bear, will save me from this Philistine."  When he needed a weapon, it was his love for God that fueled him. 

We can see from the Psalms that David wrote that he loved the Father with great zeal.  Despite the many times, he failed to live out that love, when called to account, it was where he always returned.  I must do the same.  I must rely on the Father to provide for my defense.   I have to attend to wearing what he has provided to do so.

When the attacks of others come, I am invincible in this stance.  I do not need to hate or fight.  Even when those I love reject me, there is no need to be destroyed.  I can instead use the vulnerability of loving others for the sake of loving the Father to fight and to win.  Victory will not look like I imagine it will.  It never does.  The win is far beyond what I can imagine, Dear Reader.  Knowing that I am obedient to the great commands is enough. 

As we move on down the path, it is in this armor I will walk.  It is this vulnerable invincibility that must be part of my determination to follow Christ in love.  We can withstand anything we must to share that love.  The journey home will not always be peaceful.  We need fear nothing, Dear Reader.  We need only wear the armor given and walk in the light provided by the Son.  Please keep walking with me, Dear Reader.  I do not have all the answers but I know where to go to find them.  One of those answers is that to be invincible we must be vulnerable to love.

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 ͡°)

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Invincible Vulnerability ~ Challenge and Response

Greetings Dear Reader,

I own a World War I era Underwood Portable typewriter.  It was my Great Grandfather’s who served as an Army journalist in the war.  It was the machine on which I crafted my first stories as a boy. 

It still works but lower case “r” is a little bent and produces a character that sits a bit above the other letters on the page.  The right shift key is a bit loose.  The “2” key is the only real problem, however.  If you wish to type a “2” or an “@”, you must use the force required to move a continent.  It requires skill and determination to push that button.  Still, if one applies enough force, one can push that key and produce a lovely “2”.

After an argument, a friend once confessed to me that she had been “pushing my buttons” on purpose.  She said that she knew that I was right but making me angry diverted me from the topic.  The difficulty with this is not her actions.

We cannot move through the world without circumstances and people pushing our emotional and social buttons.  Those who know us best understand what sets us off.  They can use that knowledge to manipulate situations or avoid topics. The world is going to challenge us by trying to push our buttons.

Learning to be lovingly unoffendable means that our buttons become difficult if not impossible to push.  We will be challenged but we choose the response.  We must recognize when someone is pushing the topics or issues that anger or hurt us.  It is our choice to respond.  Further, it is our obligation to respond with love and grace.

Wrapped in a cloak of love we can withstand the attempts to push us into actions that are unloving.  There may be no intent to anger our hurt us.  Either way, we own the buttons and can harden them against unwanted activation.  Like that old Underwood, I can become hard to button-pushing whilst remaining vulnerable to things that are loving and kind.

A friend asked me about this yesterday.  I explained that things that hurt still hurt.  The things that make me angry still anger me.  The new filter is in my response.  I am not going to allow the responses to be controlled by who or what is pushing the button.  I am going to filter the response through love and determine if the answer under that button is loving or not.  If it is not, then my rejoinder must be love, Dear Reeder.  That response will always produce a character that is above the line.  That is a good place to land on the page that is our lives.

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 ͡°)

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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Invincible Vulnerability ~ Thoughts and Intents

Greetings Dear Reader,

How often do we think or say that what is occurring is not what we intended?  We perhaps had a slip of the tongue.  Maybe we did not intend for things to go the way they have.  We say to ourselves, “I wish I had thought of that.”

It is in the mind that all our troubles begin.   It is how we think about things that determines how we feel, our attitude, and ultimately our actions.  Thomas Traherne, one of my favorite seventeenth-century writers penned this: “To think well is to serve God in the interior court.” 

Paul suggested to the Corinthians that, “We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.”   It is clear that what we do and become begins in the mind. The thoughts of the mind are what form who we become.  If I consider this in light of my current question, I can see how it can be practically realized.

If the foundation is love, then vulnerability is vital.  I must not have thoughts that resist the thought to be loving to everyone.   More so, I must think actively about how to show love to others.  It must be at the core of my thinking.

The other side of this coin is the idea that when others seek to harm or offend me if love is at the heart of my thinking, they cannot.   I can feel hurt but not be offended.  I may feel anger and still not sin by failing to love.  To do this I must hold captive every thought I have.  I cannot follow paths of thought that stand against the knowledge to love the Father and love every human and continue to follow Christ.

The practice of capturing our thoughts leads to mental discipline that makes us invulnerable.  What others intend for evil, the Father can use for good.  Those who reject us need our forgiveness and love.   Those who have done us the most harm most deeply need our love and prayers.   I must love at every turn, even when it hurts.  I can show love in every situation if I employ humility and grace; if I think well.

The armor provided is sufficient.  Cloaked in active living love, it becomes impervious.  It is all controlled by thinking.  We must remember our need for grace and mercy.  We must dwell on the things for which we need forgiveness.  We must gain strength from the knowledge that if we refuse to be offended, we can use the power of love to crush every barrier.  We can be a beacon of love and grace that allows others to see the source of it, Jesus. 

I will not say that this is easy.  I will say that the attempt, after 44 days is worth it.  There is a level of peace within this path that I have never known.  The wrongs that others do still hurt.  It is my thinking and responses that are changing.  My thoughts turn to love and grace more rapidly.  My heart longs for others to cease the things they do that are hurtful, not for my sake but for theirs. 

If I capture my thoughts in every moment and turn them toward love and grace, I can become invincible and vulnerable all at once Dear Reader.   It is the closest I can see to the path that Christ lays out for us.  This is going to be very difficult at times.  So far, however, it is worth 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 ͡°)

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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This BLOG:  http://aramisthorn.blogspot.com/ 

Invincible Vulnerability ~ Proper Division

Greetings Dear Reader,

Jesus spoke of the way home being narrow.  Many theologians have tried to further pin down what he meant by this and there is much compelling reading about it.  I am not trying to say that I have found some new truth, but my perspective on this is different than most that I have read about it.

I humbly ask that you walk through this reasoning with me as it leads to our invincibility that allows us to be vulnerable.  It may also divide others and that is never my goal.  Still, the Word is that which divides the joints and marrow. 

Simply put, I will adopt Paul’s reasoning chain used in Romans 8.  On two occasions, in Matthew and in Luke, Jesus tells us that the way is narrow and difficult to find.  He also says that he is “The Way, the Truth, and the Life.”  Let us then consider what Jesus says about the greatest commandment.

When asked, Jesus said the first commandment, to love the Father with all of our heart, mind, soul, and strength, is the greatest commandment.  He added, that the second is like it.  We are to love our neighbors.   This includes friends, family, actual neighbors, acquaintances, and enemies.  We cannot keep the first command without keeping the second.

This thinking about love gets a great deal of argument when applied situationally.  Taken to a logical conclusion, if we hope to follow Christ, we must love everyone no matter what he or she has done to anyone.   There is no act that mitigates the command for us to love others.  That, Dear Reader, makes the broad stroke to love everyone a very narrow path to follow.

Since all the Law and the Prophets are built on the first and second command, the path to righteousness is built on this very difficult idea.   The way home is through love that is impervious to whatever has been done.   To me, it is the hardest teaching.   It is the most difficult path to follow.

If I rightly see that following Christ is the way home, then I must obey his greatest commands.  If then, I strive to do that, I will be both impervious and vulnerable.  I will see the needs of others and have compassion for them.   I will also be protected from the hurt and attacks that besiege all humans.   Impervious vulnerability through love is very narrow thinking.   I hope you can join me in the way.   It may be that struggling against loving our enemies is what really causes most of the damage.

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 ͡°)

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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This BLOG:  http://aramisthorn.blogspot.com/ 

Invincible Vulnerability ~ Opening Thoughts

Greetings Dear Reader,

One of the hobbies I had as a lad was building models of the ships from Star Trek.  They were plentiful then.  I would carefully plan the build, setting up my workspace, reading the directions through twice, and putting the tube of glue at the top of the arrayed parts.

I would separate the pieces from the plastic tree they were on and practice fitting them together.  After I had the process in my head, I would walk through it all one more time before picking up the glue and beginning to assemble the model.  I knew that once the model glue was between the pieces and they were fitted together there existed little time for adjustment.

As the glue set, it formed a merger of the two pieces that was invincible.  Some pieces were weighty and you had to hold them together until the glue was soft-set.  Once in a great while, I would find a flaw in the joining after the glue reaches this soft-set stage.  The pieces had begun to meld and were almost one.  It took great care to make adjustments to this fragile vulnerability.   Still, I had to find a way to manipulate the vulnerability of the plastic before the glue transformed it into a state of invincibility.  That stage of invincible vulnerability is fleeting and demands prompt care and attention.

I realize that this sounds oxymoronic.  Then again, some of the best concepts do.  When it comes to the idea of becoming lovingly unoffendable then, it is this kind of vulnerability that is central to our quest.  It is this foolish concept of seemingly opposite action that joins others like loving one’s enemies as paving stones for the journey home.

I wish to ponder this idea for a few days.  It is essential to our journey that we see the deeper magic of how our armor functions.   Though we are at peace, we war.  Although we are going to be hated, we choose to love.   Even when our enemies assault the true heart of pilgrimage, we are invulnerable due to our armor. 

In the midst of the raging war between good and evil, we are required to be both vulnerable and invincible.  It is something that has to occur in the moment of crisis.  It is the time of action that requires the stillness of unshakable peace.  The paradox of this vital condition is one that we must understand to live it out, Dear Reader.   Please join me as we examine, lay out its pieces, then, carefully fit them together, glued into place permanently.  Help me with your thoughts and questions as we try to construct the model of what we must be to continue to boldly journey to that undiscovered country.

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 ͡°)

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 

This BLOG:  http://aramisthorn.blogspot.com/ 

Gratitude Stories ~ Unexpected Encouragement

Greetings Dear Reader,

For those of you who are not writers you may not understand the part of the process where we put our writing out there and have no idea who it touches.  I have said often that I write this blog mostly for my own growth and accountability.  I am, however, thankful when my scribblings in this ethereal sand benefit others.  This story may encourage others and it came just when I needed it.

Many years ago, I was in a position to have an open home and be of practical help to others.  A young man named Adam showed up with another family friend.  I was wary of him but God had other plans.  My younger Son, Bezel has always had a keen sense of discernment when it comes to people.  He told me straightaway that Adam was alright.  Even though Bezel was young I believed him and gave Adam a chance.

I watched Adam struggle with faith, family, and the frustration of trying to balance his life.  I kept an eight-foot-long couch for years so that his six-foot plus frame would a have place to sleep if needed.  Adam has grown into a good man who is hard working and has a beautiful family.

This week he responded to one of my posts and part of hit was the following: “I read your blogs daily and pray for you often.  You have influenced my life and my walk with our Savior more than you know.”  This came at a time when I desperately needed it.  The place through which I journey right now is filled with both beauty and horror.  There is an abundance of grace and constant challenge. 

I am having to see some of my deepest flaws and deal with them in integrity and honor when people I love see me bereft of both.  We all need to realize that the flaws in others that inflame us are no worse than the beam in our own eye.  When we encourage and support others, we give them dry ground to learn and grow.  It is why we are supposed to make our focus love, mercy, and grace. 

One of the things I keep having to believe is that the armor God gives us is enough.  We have power, love, and sound minds.  We can endure the failures of others for the sake of love and grace.  When we do and abandon our pride in doing it, we can also see our own flaws more clearly.  We can learn to see our own need for mercy and grace.

I am learning how deeply flawed I am.  I am finding things to which I have been blind, ignorant, or in denial about my entire life.  I am working to be accountable and seek the Father’s forgiveness and that of those my fractures have harmed.  Adam’s words pulled me back from the path of despair.  That is what you do when you interact with me Dear Reader.  You encourage and empower me to keep following, knowing that even in those hours when I am isolated and in pain that I am not alone.  I am grateful for every moment you take to interact with me 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 ͡°)

Contacts for Aramis Thorn:

Support Page on Patreon: www.patreon.com/aramisthorn

This BLOG:  http://aramisthorn.blogspot.com/ 

Novels on Amazon             

Web Page:  www.aramisthorn.com

Bookings at aramisthorn@aramisthorn.com

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