You Were Never Meant to Carry This – No Condemnation

Greetings Dear Reader,

The younger me has memories that constantly haunt me.  A parent who abandoned me and filled my life with lies challenges every attempt at self-worth.  A spouse who told me that I was no longer viable on paper echoes in my mind every time I try to advance my plans.  Someone I love telling me that I was at the center of the worst moments of their life cripples my attempts to be good to others or even any feeling of good when I succeed.

There are also the memories of a Grandfather, who, no matter what I did never condemned me.  He lovingly guided and corrected.  He always listened.  He always had time for me until he ran out of time.

I wish that the positive and hopeful things echoed more loudly in those moments of pain and heartbreak.  Mostly the condemnation is what I hear.  The power comes in whether or not I choose to listen to it.  Sometimes it freezes me but sometimes it frees me.  The voice I listen to makes all the difference.

We are not meant to carry past condemnations.  We are not designed to prosper under the weight of our failure.  This is why we are required to leave them at the cross.  It is why we are to deal with each other in grace, mercy, and forgiveness. 

Some days are glorious.  Some days I am just holding on, blocking out the condemnations of my past.  In either state there is no condemnation from Christ.  In him we live, love, and hope.  We should not be surprised when we move outside of his grace that things do not get better.

Broken – Lifehouse

The broken clock is a comfort, it helps me sleep tonight

Maybe it can stop tomorrow from stealing all my time

I am here still waiting though i still have my doubts

I am damaged at best, like you've already figured out

I'm falling apart, I'm barely breathing

With a broken heart that's still beating

In the pain, there is healing

In your name I find meaning

So I'm holdin' on, I'm holdin' on, I'm holdin' on

I'm barely holdin' on to you

The broken locks were a warning you got inside my head

I tried my best to be guarded, I'm an open book instead

I still see your reflection inside of my eyes

That are looking for a purpose, they're still looking for life

I'm falling apart, I'm barely breathing

with a broken heart that's still beating

In the pain (in the pain), is there healing

In your name (in your name) I find meaning

So I'm holdin' on (I'm still holdin'), I'm holdin' on (I'm still holdin'), I'm holdin' on (I'm still holdin') I'm barely holdin' on to you

I'm hangin' on another day

Just to see what you throw my way

And I'm hanging on to the words you say

You said that I will be OK

The broken lights on the freeway left me here alone

I may have lost my way now, haven't forgotten my way home

I'm falling apart, I'm barely breathing

with a broken heart that's still beating

In the pain(In the pain) there is healing

In your name I find meaning

So I'm holdin' on (I'm still holdin'), I'm holdin' on (I'm still holdin'), I'm holdin' on (I'm still holdin'), I'm barely holdin' on to you

I'm holdin' on (I'm still holdin'), I'm holdin' on (I'm still holdin'), I'm holdin' on (I'm still holdin'), I'm barely holdin' on to you.

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.”

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How Can You Know Me – Not by my Condemnation

Greetings Dear Reader,

Too often I see those who are supposed to represent Christ condemning those with whom they find fault or disagree.  It is so easy to see the faults of others and be blind to my own.  It is too easy to condemn when we should be remembering how Christ felt about those who need h im.

When questioned about keeping questionable company Jesus responded that it is the sick that need a physician.  He insisted that our place was caring tor the needs of others.  He measures us by the sick, hungry, and needy. 

It does not matter what the issue is.  You can fill in your pet cause Dear Reader.  When we land on the side of condemnation and judgment we become ineffective.  We tread on the Gospel we are supposed to live.  We hurt the name of Jesus and his message.

I am not saying that those who do these things do not have faith.  I am saying that they are not showing the face of Christ as he wishes it shown.  The only people we see Jesus rail against are the religious leaders who burdened the people instead of caring for them.

I am not to be known by my condemnation and judgment.  I am not to forget that I come to Christ with the same needs as everyone.  No matter how closely I follow I will not ever follow closely enough to justify condemning anyone else. 

Jesus Friend of Sinners – Casting Crowns

Jesus, friend of sinners, we have strayed so far away

We cut down people in your name but the sword was never ours to swing

Jesus, friend of sinners, the truth's become so hard to see

The world is on their way to You but they're tripping over me

Always looking around but never looking up I'm so double minded

A plank eyed saint with dirty hands and a heart divided

Oh Jesus, friend of sinners

Open our eyes to the world at the end of our pointing fingers

Let our hearts be led by mercy

Help us reach with open hearts and open doors

Oh Jesus, friend of sinners, break our hearts for what breaks yours

Yeah...

Jesus, friend of sinners, the one who's writing in the sand

Make the righteous turn away and the stones fall from their hands

Help us to remember we are all the least of these

Let the memory of Your mercy bring Your people to their knees

No one knows what we're for only against when we judge the wounded

What if we put down our signs crossed over the lines and loved like You did

Oh Jesus, friend of sinners

Open our eyes to world at the end of our pointing fingers

Let our hearts be led by mercy

Help us reach with open hearts and open doors

Oh Jesus, friend of sinners, break our hearts for what breaks yours

You love every lost cause; you reach for the outcast

For the leper and the lame; they're the reason that You came

Lord I was that lost cause and I was the outcast

But you died for sinners just like me, a grateful leper at Your feet

'Cause You are good, You are good and Your love endures forever

You are good, You are good and Your love endures forever

You are good, You are good and Your love endures forever

You are good, You are good and Your love endures forever

Oh Jesus, friend of sinners

Open our eyes to world at the end of our pointing fingers

Let our hearts be led by mercy

Help us reach with open hearts and open doors

Oh Jesus, friend of sinners, break our hearts for what breaks Yours

And I was the lost cause and I was the outcast

Yeah...

You died for sinners just like me, a grateful leper at Your feet

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.”

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Pokémon Faith – You Got to Get Them All

Greetings Dear Reader,

My Grandsons and my Daughter are quite interested in the game and cartoon Pokémon.  The boys play games and make up stories.  The theme in this entertainment that catches my attention is the theme that “You got to catch them all.”

One of the reasons I see the church losing its effectiveness in the world is its division.  Jesus made it clear that a house divided against itself cannot stand.  We are very divided.  We fight over things that are not important to faith and following.  We judge and condemn those who do not follow Christ when he commands us love them.

Because we judge, reject, and condemn those outside of our faith we hinder out ability to “catch them all.”  We hinder our ability to reach others when we reject them.  We do not earn the right to be heard when we judge others.  We fail to love and so cannot reach others with the Gospel.

What is the solution to this?  The obvious one would be for Christ followers to stop acting in ways that are unloving.  It is our obligation.  It is our primary command from our Divine Master.  It is why we are given power and authority.  It is what we are supposed to embody as Christ followers.

To those who do not share my faith I offer this.  First I ask that you not judge us all based on those who do not follow in love.  Second and maybe more important I ask that you hold us all accountable.  If anyone claims to follow Christ, insist that they love sacrificially.  Demand that they treat everyone with kindness and respect.  Require us to act in a Christ like manner to everyone. 

Do not think that we have to approve of everything to act this way.  We do not.  I can believe that something is wrong and still be loving and non-judgmental to those who do those things.  I do not have to approve of all your actions to love you.  I do not have to judge you or condemn you to disapprove of your choices.   I am not required to accept everything that someone does or believes to love him or her. 

We are accountable to reach them all.  I am accountable to do that in love.  I ask the world to hold us all accountable.   Judge us on this benchmark.  Then notice who is willing to wear it.

Prayer of Saint Francis – Sarah McLachlan

Lord, make me an instrument of thy peace.

Where there is hatred, let me sow love;

Where there is injury, pardon;

Where there is doubt, faith;

Where there is despair, hope;

Where there is darkness, light;

Where there is sadness, joy.

O divine Master, grant that I may not so much seek

To be consoled as to console,

To be understood as to understand,

To be loved as to love;

For it is in giving that we receive;

It is in pardoning that we are pardoned;

It is in dying to self that we are born to eternal life.

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.”

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