High Moral Ground ~ Closing Thoughts

Greetings Dear Reader,

There are so many analogies that make it clear that our moral high ground is almost always shifting sand.   Jesus used the analogy of removing the beam or log from one’s own eye before trying to remove the spec from another’s. 

In truth we have moved so far from genuine accountability that we have forgotten how out of bounds we often are.  We often have double standards.  We decide which things are wrong or right based on our own values instead of accountability to outside standards.  We then claim that we are “right” and others are “wrong” based on our preferences, prejudices, and predilections. 

As a follower of Christ I must adhere to sound principals based on his teachings.  One of those teachings is that I not ever assume that I have the moral high ground.  In truth, if I want to take the high moral ground I must never assume that I am on the moral high ground. 

I must never see others as less than me.  In fact I am required to think of others better than myself.  It is about seeing the value and beauty in every human.  It is that the high moral ground is seeing that every life matters.  Every human has inalienable rights just because they exist.  If we do not love everyone and reject others based on own standards we will be very surprised.  If you cast aside anyone and think you have the high moral ground a tidal wave is coming.

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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High Moral Ground ~ Deplorables in Baskets

Greetings Dear Reader,

I wonder how many people have taken the time to look up the definition of “deplorable”?  Not to worry, I have done it for you Dear Reader.  

Deplorable: 

adjective:

1. deserving strong condemnation.

"the deplorable conditions in which most prisoners are held"

synonyms:     disgraceful, shameful, dishonorable, unworthy, inexcusable, unpardonable, unforgivable; reprehensible, despicable, abominable, contemptible, execrable, heinous, beyond the pale

"your conduct is deplorable"

antonyms:     admirable

2. shockingly bad in quality.

"her spelling was deplorable"

synonyms:  lamentable, regrettable, unfortunate, wretched, atrocious, awful, terrible, dreadful, diabolical; sorry, poor, inadequate; informal: appalling, dire, abysmal, woeful, lousy;

"the garden is in a deplorable state"

antonyms:     excellent

When I see these words I can see applying them to actions but never to a person.  Calling any person deplorable is to fly in the face of love and kindness required of those who would be on the moral high ground.   We can condemn actions as disgraceful or reprehensible.  It is not wrong to identify behavior as abominable, heinous, terrible, or diabolical. 

People are to be loved and valued by us.  No one is to be written off as unworthy of love and the opportunity to be better that he or she is.  The Father expresses that we all fall short of his expectations for us.  He does not reject us because of it.  Instead he sacrifices all he is to build a bridge to us.

So I wonder, given the full meaning of this word, if we would ever assign it to any individual.  Even less to apply it to half of a group that represents millions of your fellow countrymen is very far from the moral high ground.  Perhaps it is unwise to ever generalize in the negative about humans outside of the natural negatives we all share.

It is not my place to call anyone deplorable.  There is no moral high ground for me if I insult others this way because I think I have the high moral ground.

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 ͡°)

High Moral Ground ~ Mocked and Scorned

Greetings Dear Reader,

This coin has two very dark sides.  For those of us that follow Christ we all too often scorn those who are our detractors.  We pick a class of morality or values and decide that for some reason “those people” are less than us in some way.

The very people we are supposed to love instead are treated with disdain and disrespect.  The ones in need of unconditional love and acceptance get scorned by those who have accepted that from God.  To scorn anyone is to fly in the face of all that we believe.

The other ugly side of this coin is that of mockery.  I have been mocked for my beliefs even by members of my own family.  I have seen those who share my treated with little tolerance and acceptance of their diversity.  We are required to accept everyone but in the same breath unacceptable.

Our intelligence and character are questioned because we do not always accept things that are outside of our faith.  Mockery of our beliefs is acceptable to others.   Insulting our God is common language in our culture.  Others think nothing of cursing our God with no regard for how it impacts us as his followers.

We are mocked for our faith and often we scorn those we are supposed to love.  When we arrogantly reject others perhaps we deserve to be mocked.  When we scorn others we fail to live the love we are required to show.  We all really need to see others and their needs.  Mocking or scorning others is a bad penny best not picked up by anyone. 

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 ͡°)

High Moral Ground ~ Lent: Not Just for Adverting

Greetings Dear Reader,

These forty days of Lent are observed in differing ways in the Christian world.  The discussion about what one “gives up” arises and as was the case yesterday on Jeopardy.  The idea of this is not one we are to advertise.

My Daughter asked me yesterday what I was giving up for Lent.  I reminded her that I do not share what I choose to set aside for a time.  I have, in a couple of instances so that I could have some needed accountability.  The point being that this is to be an internal decision evidenced by a private outward action.

When we sadly report that we cannot enjoy the cake because we have given up sweets we are not serving the spirit of Lent.  The choice is voluntary for the purpose of focusing on faith and following.  We are supposed to rejoice in the moment and replace the indulgence with thoughts of Christ and his love and sacrifice for us.

We have turned it into thing we do as a matter of comparison and conversation.  I must as with all things act in faith.  I must trust that my sacrifice will create moments where I become closer in my understanding of who Christ is.   It is a month of moments to be caught off guard with the opportunity to focus on Jesus instead of whatever want I have replaced with him.

There is the crux of it.  We think we have the moral high ground because we give up soda for Christ when in fact he is supposed to be at the center of everything.  The high moral ground is for me to put Christ first in all things in love and humility.  It is my joy to quietly allow him to create moments where I am reminded of this.  These moments when I encounter that which I have sacrificed can put me in mind of all that was sacrificed for me.

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 ͡°)

High Moral Ground ~ Fat Tuesday

Greetings Dear Reader,

I am going to sound prudish in the example but please understand that I do not do so in judgement of others.  Rather it is to lay the foundation for that which I must assure that I embrace.  I do not think that I am better than anyone.  I do think that we are doing it wrong.

Today is Fat Tuesday.  In some places there will be all night debauchery.  I am not against alcohol.  I think celebrations are grand.  The purpose of Fat Tuesday or Shrove Tuesday was to indulge in richer foods before beginning the fasting and prayer time of Lent.  It was the culmination of the time of Carnival which lasts from the Feast of Epiphany to the Tuesday before Ash Wednesday.

As with all most things we have gone overboard in the feasting and lost most of the purpose.  I will spend the evening pondering the plenty that I have and how it is a blessing from God.  I will ponder the cost of my redemption in the days leading up to Holy Week. 

God does not require us to follow a liturgical calendar.  He does honor it when we commit ourselves to understanding just how much he has given us.  I must celebrate and fast when it is appropriate.  I must remember that there is a high cost for my redemption.  The purpose is not to be naught to be good.  It is instead to celebrate what I have then deny some of that in recognition of what I will receive.

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 ͡°)

High Moral Ground ~ Moral Compass

Greetings Dear Reader,

When we choose what we see as proper or good it can be based on many things.  The values we hold are formed by our environment, education, examples, and experiences.  Our elders hand us a moral compass that points toward their true north.  We choose whether to follow it or create our own.

The one given by those who rear us may or may not align with directions that are socially acceptable.  They compass points may consider the needs of others or may be based on a faith or following of other traditions.  The compass points tell us when we are headed toward that which we value.

My moral compass must be based on my faith.  The one I was handed by my parents had too many erratic movements to be kept.  The one I chose was based on things leaned later and planted earlier by my Grandfather.  Following Christ demands that I have a moral compass. 

The compass demands that I have strict moral values and that I live by them.  It also forbids me from condemning others who do not follow it.  It requires that I live an example and not from a position of pride or arrogance.  I must never claim to have the moral high ground but must walk it in a spirit of humble grace. 

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 ͡°)

High Moral Ground ~ Opening Thoughts

Greetings Dear Reader,

As I watch the verbal civil war raging in our nation I notice that all sides claim the high moral ground.  We all want to believe our values are the ones that are correct.  We have standards that we think are the “right” standards.

Some claim that there are no absolute right or wrong positions.  Others see a vast spectrum of gray where everyone can do as he or she pleases.  Some of these gray positions include that one should not harm others.

There is a difference between claiming the moral high ground and being on high moral ground.  I am pondering my standards; how they impact my life, which ones are preferences, and which ones are intricate to my faith.  

As I wonder through this thinking I search for the path that keeps me closest to Christ.  I search for the high moral ground without ever claiming the moral high ground.  The only way to do this is with humility and, therefore, it is impossible for me to claim much given my need for grace and mercy.

Please walk with for a bit as I try to match my values and standards with who Christ is over my preferences and predilections.   As always, your thoughts Dear Reader or cherished.  Your company helps move me down the road.

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 ͡°)