Showing posts with label Giving. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Giving. Show all posts

30 March 2020

What are we Hoarding? ~ Closing Thoughts


Greetings Dear Reader,

We can hoard things internally even when we are socially isolated.  We can use the time to nurse feelings of anger and bitterness.  We can hold onto grudges or simply deny love and kindness.  All of this harms us and leaves us further from peace.

We all have hurts and fears.  There is always a reason we can find to hoard and withhold what others need.  What must be different is our desire.  Our thoughts must be tuned to being loving and encouraging to others.  Our minds must be used to give out loving-kindness in any way we can. 

As we walk through this time together, Dear Reader, we must determine to give ourselves away.  We must see that if we embark on the campaign of giving out love and encouragement with abandon, that we will run out.  It is not time to hoard this.  It is time to see that others need the love we have and give it away.

I am going to find ways to be kind to others.  I am determined to love others as deeply as possible.  I have not perfected this and we need not be perfect to try.  Let us agree as we move on to other thoughts, that our undercurrent in all of them will be to love others in every situation.  This is what will get us through the storm.

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
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29 March 2020

What are we Hoarding? ~ A Kind Word


Greetings Dear Reader,

This is similar but significantly different from some of our other topics.  A friend posted an observation for his other friends who like conspiracy theories.  The conversation lasted on social media for four hours.  The interaction was friendly and civil.  Then it was not.  My friend took down the post once it became unkind.

I long to understand why we do this.  Good people that I know will post things that are unloving and unkind without really thinking about it.  I think that when we are under stress, we turn to our default settings.  If it is not our habit to be kind and encouraging then we will not show this to others.  We can, though.  We can choose to respond to everything with kindness and encouragement. 

The challenge we face is to determine how we are going to treat others amidst our own fears and frustrations.  I intend to offer encouragement to those venting about their isolation and fear.  I intend to be kind.  When I rise out of the story I am crafting to catch up, I will look for who is struggling and offer a kind word.

We have the chance here to show how much kindness and encouragement we have in us.  We can filter out the negative and give from our hoard of kind words and good intent.  Pick up on the needs of others for encouragement and give all that you have.  The Father will not let your well run dry.  Let me know if you need a kind word, Dear Reader.  I have one for 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 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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28 March 2020

What are we Hoarding? ~ That is a Great Idea


Greetings Dear Reader,

One of the things that social media is providing right now is a slew of great ideas.  People are creative and find new ways to meet needs and compensate for things currently unavailable.  We are created to be creative.

There is not deep spiritual truth here.  Rather, it is just my desire to point out that you are creative at solving your problems.  Do not assume that you are alone in those problems.  Share your solutions with others.  If you are not wishing to share in public, send your problem/solution to me and I will post if for you.  I will not identify you.

The point is that we are unknowingly hoarding ideas that can help others.  We have solutions that others need.  Join me, Dear Reader, in loving others by sharing your creative solutions to the problems we are all facing.  All creativity is an act of worship.  I would love to worship with 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 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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27 March 2020

What are we Hoarding? ~ Unending Supply


Greetings Dear Reader,

My friend Matt sent me a photo of his wall of TP yesterday.   He was joking that he had closed a business in February on good terms.  One of the things it had was a bulk supply of TP for its restrooms.  He is planning on opening another venue in September.  He was going to save money by using it there.

Matt is the kind of guy who knows his neighbors and is the kind of neighbor you want to have.  When he realized that TP was becoming a coveted thing, he drew big red hearts on the boxes and delivered a case to each home on his street.  He told me that it did not dent his supply at all.

My friend was not giving away Toilet Paper.  Matt is giving away love.  He is refusing to hoard the very thing that his neighbors need most and perhaps understand the least.  We are in a time where the thing we must pass along to every human in every encounter is love.   It must be viral, contagious, and unavoidable in us.

Every time I must go to a store, I spend time going to the clerks and thanking them for working when it is unsafe to do so.  I greet everyone with a smile and a kind word.  I keep my distance out of respect and wisdom.  There are still so many ways to show love to others.

We can respond to our friends' concerns on social media.  We can call people who are in isolation or shut-in for other health reasons.  We can order a pizza for a friend not handling the at-home situation.  One of my closest friends bought gift cards for a local coffee shop and sent them to the manager to use for anyone in need.  He supported the shop and people he does not know.  He is not hoarding his love.

That is it, Dear Reader.  We can still find ways to practically show love to others.  We must choose that this will be our stock and trade.  Even in the solitude of our homes, we can reach out with love and action.  People will long remember our love after gatherings have resumed and the air is clear.  I must remember this in every encounter.  I must show the love of Christ more creatively than ever.  Join me, Dear Reader, in not hoarding that for which we have an inexhaustible supply.

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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26 March 2020

What are we Hoarding? ~ Pocket full of Offenses


Greetings Dear Reader,

When I look through my social media sites to check on my friends, I am amazed at how many posts there are that still rant over this or that political issue.  It shocks me that there is still so much vitriol concerning social situations.  In a time when we should be doing all that we can to embrace the love of Christ, we still look for things over which to be angry.

Further, some of us have held onto conflict with friends and family.  We are still not willing to build the bridges needed to work out forgiveness and reconciliation.  This is an opportunity to give up hoarding resentment and unforgiveness.  We cannot sustain holding onto offenses and anger to begin with, so giving it up is even easier.  I know it does not seem like it.  One can begin by starting a conversation.

While we social distance we can begin to lovingly interact with those we have held guilty and unworthy.   We can write a letter or an email.  We can send a text or instant message.  We can build a bridge back to those for whom we hoard anger and insult.  It will not be easy but it will be worth it.  The more we empty our stores of offenses, the further we have room for love and grace toward others.  Why not make this time of isolation a time of active reconciliation?

We can work together Dear Reader to emerge from this with greater peace and harmony.  We can empty our hearts of resentment and bitterness.  We can stop hoarding the wrongs from our past and allow the time to heal our spirits.  We can move down the path together with less burden and more love.  Shall we try?

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
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25 March 2020

What are we Hoarding? ~ The Mind Killer


Greetings Dear Reader,

When I was a lad, I had a very unfortunate encounter with some sand spurs.  These are the tiny balls of infinite spiky pain one encounters on beaches.  I was walking through the sand barefoot and stepped into a thicket of them.

I immediately sat down and tried to grab the large string of spheres embedded in my small foot.   Many of them obliged, released their grip on my foot, and buried themselves in the palm of my hand.

Clenching the palm of my hand, I realized that the spurs embedded in it were now also impaling my fingers.  I was young enough that fear of pain replaced sound thinking rapidly.  I sat there in the sand, crying in pain, and alone.  The only thing that had sway over me was my fear and it was quickly evolving to panic.

A lady on her way to the beach spotted me and came to my aid.  The focus of this writing was that I refused to open my hand because I knew it would hurt.  My fear of the pain prolonged my pain for hours.   The fear controlled my thinking and my actions. 

Holding onto my fear required that I hold onto my pain and prolong it.  That little boy on the beach held his tight-fisted grip on pain because of his fear of pain.  This is what we all do.  We fear the pain of working through our pain.  We refuse to move.  When I hoard my fear and keep it to myself, I am holding onto the source of my pain as well.

During this time of trouble, we all will feel fear.  What we must do is talk to each other.  We must share our fear and not hold onto it because we are afraid of the pain.  Fear short circuits our thinking and kills our reason.  When we hoard it, fear damages us further.   We need to remember that none of what we are facing is a surprise to the Father.  He knows how he will care for us in this.

I must not embrace fear.  I must not hoard it and neither should you Dear Reader.  We cannot afford to sell it to others or make it the center of our being.  We must keep moving forward together and share our fear.  The only way out is through.  We can see one another past the fear in love if we are willing.

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
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24 March 2020

What are we Hoarding? ~ Opening Thoughts


Greetings Dear Reader,

As the world responds or reacts to COVID-19, we see people panic-buying so many material things.  These are things they fear being without.  They are the things one thinks will bring peace of mind or a sense of security in uncertain times.  There is no material thing that can bring a feeling of sustainable peace.

This will not be about toilet paper, sanitizing gel, or bottled water.  It is not about holding onto false security over the things that will be gone when they are gone.  We have taken it for granted for years that we will always have these things.  We have wasted resources and failed to be thankful for the abundance we have as a society.

What I would like us to consider and develop is an understanding of the intangible things we hoard.  They are the things that we cannot hold and be healthy.  If we can speak honestly about the two-sided coins kept in our internal storehouses, we may be able to find that we have more to give and less to hold onto than we imagined.  We may have more to give than we dream.

I will keep this as light as possible and not ask you to carry more than you can.  I will ask you to share your thoughts and questions so I can become better at holding what is healthy and letting go of that which will not help.  My heart is to give you encouragement and freedom in our necessary isolation Dear Reader.  My desire is to help us emerge from this with better love for each other.

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
Facebook       Twitter        
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23 October 2019

Plenty’s Horn ~ Closing Thoughts


Greetings Dear Reader,

Some years ago, a friend visited the Hershey factory in Hershey, Pennsylvania. Whilst there, she ordered me a giant tin of their miniature chocolates.   I literally had hundreds of small chocolate bars in a two-gallon tin.  I had a copious abundance of tiny chocolates.

This gift thrilled my Daughter and my Grandsons.  They knew that if I had candy, they would get candy.  It thrilled me to share the delights with them.  The abundance made it easy to share what I had that was given as a gift.  Eventually, however, the candy ran out and was gone.  This is not the case with the things we have been pondering.

As we have seen, we have a plentiful supply of the things necessary to follow Christ in harmony.  The products of love, grace, mercy, kindness, and joy are all available to us is we choose them.  The intent of the Father is that they flow through us to help others find the way home.

There is no need to hold back on being good to others.  We consider the risk to our hearts and place expectations on our efforts instead of giving freely from our limitless supply.  We are able to establish a flow of love for others that permeates all that we do.  Understanding and applying this gives unbound opportunity to give to others without reservation.  It brings all we do into alignment with the path that Christ wishes us to walk.

As we make the turn toward the Hallowed Days and the feasts that mark the closing of the year, I must embrace the abundance I have been given from Plenty’s horn.  I must give freely to anyone who I encounter and do so without regard to my own needs.  The Father has promised over and over to supply those.  As we move on to other thoughts, Dear Reader, we can better journey together if we exchange the things we so desperately need that we can only supply for each other. 

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:
Support Page on Patreon: www.patreon.com/aramisthorn
Novels on Amazon           
Web Page:  www.aramisthorn.com
Facebook        Twitter            

22 October 2019

Plenty’s Horn ~ Like Dish Soap

Greetings Dear Reader,

In 1973 the predominant dishwashing liquid on the market was Lemon Scented Joy.  Since I was my mum’s automated dishwasher, I knew the scent well.  Then, a blue bottle of something called Dawn appeared on our counter.  It did not smell like lemons and it was dark blue instead of sunny yellow.  Mum assured me that it was just as good and told me to hurry up with the dishes.  She was in a hurry because in 1973 I was also her TV remote control.

A few years later as the two remained the leading choices for doing one’s dishes by hand, I learned something that bothered me.  Both products, though competition in the market were made by Proctor and Gamble.  I am unsure why it bothered me so much.  I have decided that they work equally well and I still prefer the lemon scent.  I can be happy with either one.

I was, however, unhappy when my dish soap changed when I was young.  When I think of that story the pun machine in my brain immediately goes for the groan factor of mum robbing me of my joy.  Then again, we cannot be robbed of our actual joy.  We can only choose to give it away or deny it.

We are told that we are to never be without joy.  Even in dire circumstances, we are required to be filled with and express our joy.  It is not because we are happy or sad.  It is because we know that even the very worst is only temporary.  No suffering seems good when we go through it, but that is not where we stay.  My Grandfather used to always say, “In Bible days, when bad things happened, they would say, ‘And it came to pass,’ not ‘And it came to stay.’”  His point was that no problem is permanent and that our joy comes from where we are going, not where we are.

If we are allowing the flow of love from the Father to work through us and we understand that there is abundant grace to help us through any circumstance, then there is no reason for us not to be filled with joy for what is to come.  It is a matter of using our faith in the love and grace of the Father that provides this flow.  Grace has us in hand.  It will never let us down because it is generated by the Father’s love.

The journey will be filled with times of happiness and sorrow.  It will have days where joy comes from our dancing in the sunshine as well as days where we must wrench it from the storm clouds.  Either way, it is ours to have and to copious give to others.  We can find the joy in all of our trials if we draw close to Christ and follow him in faith.  Nothing can hinder the flow of joy from Plenty’s horn other than our own will.  Happiness is a choice.  Joy is an obligation for which there is nothing but benefit to us.  It is something that we should get used to as we will have it all around us eventually.  Why not then let love and grace help it flow through us?  After all, Dear Reader, it is Joy that will flow everywhere in the Dawn of that Undiscovered Country.  This is why I always wish you joy in the journey.

Grace Got You – Mercy Me

Have you ever met those who
Keep humming when the song's through?
It's like they're living life to a whole different tune

And have you ever met those that
Keep hoping when it's hopeless
It's like they figured out what the rest haven't yet

The second when you realize
When you have inside
It's only just a matter of time 'til you

Sing, so the back row hears you
Glide, 'cause walking just won't do
Dance, you don't have to know how to
Ever since, ever since grace got you
Laugh, 'til your whole side's hurting
Smile like you just got away with something
Why? 'Cause you just got away with something
Ever since, ever since grace got you

So, when you're standing in the rain again
You might as well be dancing
Why? 'Cause there ain't no storm that can change how this ends
So next time when you feel blue
Don't let that smile leave you
Why? 'Cause you have every reason just to…

Sing, so the back row hears you
Glide, 'cause walking just won't do
Dance, you don't have to know how to
Ever since, ever since grace got you
Laugh, 'til your whole side's hurting
Smile like you just got away with something
Why? 'Cause you just got away with something
Ever since, ever since grace got you
Ever since, ever since grace got you
Grace got you

Got away with something, bubbling inside of you
Spilling over 'cause your life is full, how incredible
Undeniable, monumental like the Eiffel
Uncontrollable, let the joy flow through, haha

Giddy oh, but pretty, pretty please
Let me see your hands in the air with you out your seats
Warm it up, let go, shout it out, celebrate
When you can't articulate just say Amazing Grace

The second when you realize
When you have inside
It's only just a matter of (only just a matter of)
It's only just a matter of time 'til you

Sing, so the back row hears you
Glide, 'cause walking just won't do
Dance, you don't have to know how to
Ever since, ever since grace got you
Laugh, 'til your whole side's hurting
Smile like you just got away with something
Why? 'Cause you just got away with something
Ever since, ever since grace got you
Yeah yea yea yea yea
Ever since, ever since grace got you
Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah
Grace got you
Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah
Ever since, ever since Grace got you
Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah
Grace got you
Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah
Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah
Grace got 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 homeowner. 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
Novels on Amazon           
Web Page:  www.aramisthorn.com
Facebook        Twitter            

21 October 2019

Plenty’s Horn ~ The Proper Cycle


Greetings Dear Reader,

I have been doing my own laundry since I was ten.  I was well into my twenties before I learned the value of the delicate cycle setting on a washing machine.  It cleans more fragile fabrics with less agitation a gentler spin cycle.  It is like hand washing without the hands-on effort.

This very simple way to clean less-durable fabrics still uses the strength of the washing machine.  It merely applies that power in a way that extracts the dirt without damaging that which is dirty.  It gives us what we need without doing damage.

This translates to us so clearly in the idea that we are to be gentle with each other.  Too many of our fellow travelers wield the Gospel as a weapon. They try to bash others with truth and anger instead of using love, grace, and mercy to be good to those in need of the truth.  Throughout the history of the Church, we have strayed into modes of forcing faith onto others, even those that are violent, cruel, and heinous.  

We are required to be gentle.  Further, we can be gentle infinitely if we choose to be so.  The idea of coercion, shame, and guilt being used to draw others to follow Christ is foolish.  It is also counter to the idea that we are to deal with each other in love.  We are to be set permanently on the gentle cycle.  We are not to use agitation to change things unless it is the result of gentle loving truth. 

The violence of the world is to be foreign to us.  It is to be a part of us that we exhibit gentle peace.  We are not supposed to be ruffled by the difficulties that others send our way.  We are instead to present bountiful gentle responses that yield evidence of the love we hold for others.  This too comes from the plentiful provision that Christ promises in our journey home.  This is the setting we are given as the means to show others our love, kindness, mercy, and grace.  This is how we are to interact, always Dear Reader.

The idea of an analogy from a washing machine has its limitations.  This standard of gentleness in all we do, however, is a clear way to stand out from others.  It is a clear way to show others that they are safe and that we will be good to them at every turn.  We do not have to do it in our own strength as the Father promises to give us the power through the Spirit to accomplish this.  We can be gentle in all things if we choose.  It is what works.

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:
Support Page on Patreon: www.patreon.com/aramisthorn
Novels on Amazon           
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20 October 2019

Plenty’s Horn ~ Two-Sided Coin


Greetings Dear Reader,

When considering the flow of Plenty’s horn, there is a combination in the stream necessary to giving evidence of the love that we are to share with everyone.  This two-sided coin must work in tandem to be successful.  It is also another area where our need is so deep that we must give it out freely to receive it for ourselves.

Grace and mercy function together.  They move through the journey providing the space that people need in order to see love.  In case the relationship is unclear, here is a simple combined explanation.   Grace is getting something we do not deserve and mercy is not getting what we deserve relative to the wrong we have done.  Both can be summed up as using our power relative to others to give them the best in order to show them love.

Let us walk through this together Dear Reader.  When someone is unkind or lacks love for others, we have the power to show them love and are obligated to do so.  Grace is given to us so that we can let it flow through us to others.  It allows us to create a space where others can experience love and have to opportunity to grow in that place.

There is always the fact that some respond to kindness and love with rejection, anger, or even hatred.  This is where mercy steps in and shows its power.  When someone is in need of or asking for mercy, we have great power.  That authority must only be wielded to administer love and grace.  We may have the supremacy and even the right to cast someone aside but that is not how it is supposed to work. 

Just as we need mercy from the Father, we must show mercy to others.  The power of grace and mercy is to apply unconditional love and forgiveness to others in real-time.  I need these things daily in my life and must, therefore, give them out freely to others.  The beauty of it is that I will never run out of grace and mercy because they are dependent on the supply of the Father which is unending.  These things can flow copiously through me so that others may see the love they need and, in turn, learn to live this way as well.

I must exercise this daily.  I am not perfect at it, Dear Reader, but walking this path becomes easier with practice.  The beauty in it is that the Father gives me the grace and mercy I need to learn how to spend the coin of grace and mercy in love for others.

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