I Do Not Care ~ Closing Thoughts

Greetings Dear Reader,

I think that drawing this out is unnecessary.   I have thought my way through it and rediscovered some things that matter to me.  I am also anxious to devote my thinking to some other matters.  It is, however, vital that I draw clear conclusions if I am going to apply what I have learned.

In short, the Father does not care what we have already done.  He was not surprised by it.  He had already put in place his response to us.  He desires that we see his love for us in every instant.  It does not matter how we begin to follow his Son.  It matters eternally that we do so.

We can express all of our doubt and fear.  We can justify our wrong and deny our need but that will not change the truth.  The Father does not care how we find his Son.  He cares that we find him.  There is nothing that we can imagine that is stronger than his love for us.  This is reason enough to love him in return and love others.  It is reason enough to believe that he will find a way to make all things good again.  That is the path I seek to follow even when I am failing.

April is almost gone.  The road is calling but I do not yet have leave to leave.  For now, I will continue to ponder and pray.  I will keep pursuing the life of a scrivener and enjoy your company on the journey Dear Reader.  There are great things on the horizon and it keeps getting closer.  The Father does not care where you come from as long as you find your way to him.  I must, therefore, strive to not care either.  Help me see how to love you more 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 homeowner. He liberally hands out new and old things from his great treasure store.”

(͡° ͜ʖ ͡°)

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I Do Not Care ~ Amnesty Versus Atonement

Greetings Dear Reader,

The debate about illegal entry into our country is quieter than in the past months but it is still there.  It is true that there are humans that have crossed our borders without permission in violation of our federal laws.  There is no way around that truth.

There are those who would say that the border laws are unjust.  There are those who fight for them. I am not going to weigh in on what should be done about the needs of people on both sides.  I do not want to ignore that there are needs of humans that Christ followers may not relegate to the responsibly of governments or social organizations.  The needs of others are our obligation if we feign to profess faith in Christ.

That, however, is not my focus today.  My concern is that we understand that on some level there must be aware that the law was broken.  It is not sacrosanct like the laws of the Father, but it still a fact that justice has been violated and must be satisfied.  This does not require that put people in jail.  It does require that we address the law.

Please stay with me.  I am not about to propose a solution.  I am about to explain options that we do not consider.  Most of the individuals who find themselves in this country illegally were trying to make life better for themselves and their families.  Even that is not what matters.

One of the other options I see as viable is amnesty.  It requires that we leave justice unsatisfied and forgive the transgression of the law as it stands.  That is not wrong in this case if it is done carefully and well.  It is not the kind of transgression that removes our responsibility for compassion and mercy. 

There are crimes for which amnesty is not an option.  We do not set free or forgive the crimes of murderers.  Those who sell drugs or do purposeful harm to others must atone for their crimes.  They must find a way to pay the debt incurred from violation of the law.

I do not care where you come from, this country raised itself up with a standard of caring for those in need.  It has always failed to live this out in some way both internally and externally.  Our treatment of Native Tribes, Africans brought here by force, European and Asian immigrants, our own Japanese citizens, and currently, anyone from South America reveals that we apply the idea of sanctuary erratically.   We do not administer justice beyond our laws very well at all.  Our love and compassion are too often measured out by one’s social status or point of origin. 

Then, we face the point where our personal need for amnesty arises.  We do so much that is in violation of laws far beyond any government or imaginary border.  We fail to live by the simple commands to love God and love each other as a daily routine.  We are in desperate need of amnesty for this but the Father’s justice must be satisfied.  Further, we cannot atone for what we have done to violate his justice.  We do not have the capacity.  We are incapable of paying for our crimes, ever. 

This is the entire point of the atonement of Christ.  He died once for the transgression of every law everywhere.  He made it clear that in our transgression and in his atonement, we are all equal.  He does not care where we come from or how we got there.   He cares that we see his love for us and accept his payment on our behalf in faith. 

Everything about time is geared toward getting us back in harmony with that which is ultimately good.  This is beyond what we call good.  It is the good that flowed through the world before we began to transgress the universal laws of love.  It is the Father expressing his love for us no matter who we are or what we have done.  That, Dear Reader, is what this is all about. 

The focus is not condemnation because we have done wrong.  It is the idea of getting us back to at-one-ment with the Father.  It is in love, creating unity again that satisfies his justice when we cannot.  The moment we think that we can accomplish this or limit who has access to it, we are more in need of the amnesty of the atonement than ever.  Thoughts? 

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:

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I Do Not Care ~ Approaching Amnesty

Greetings Dear Reader,

From anger to shame, we all have reasons why we resist good things.  We feel unworthy or dislike the source.  We resist what we know is good for us because of reasons that do not make sense to anyone but us.

We also argue over mercy and grace.  We think that there are people unworthy of mercy because we have gauged their wrongs more heinous than ours. This is one of those comparisons that uses the wrong standard.  We compare our wrong to that of those we consider worse than us so that we feel better about ourselves.

What we must do is compare our very best to the goodness and love of the Father.  If we are honest, we are found wanting.  We do not measure up to his goodness and love.  This is the very heart of mercy and grace.  “The Father directs his love toward us in that whilst we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”

God does not care what is in our past.  He already knew what we were going to do when he created the world.  The reason that the cross is the turn of the tide and time is this very thing.  Christ bridges all that was done and all that ever will be done from his painful purchase above the cursed ground.   He hangs there for us to look up from any moment and see what was done to show how much we are loved.

He spans the entire history of humans and draws it to himself declaring that he does not care where you come from; he wishes you to come.  He draws you from wherever you are and asks that you see his pain is for your redemption.  You need pay nothing.  You do not have to fix this or that thing that is wrong with you.  He asks that you see his offer and come as you are.

Whether you think that you are completely unworthy or believe that you are good enough, you are mistaken.  He declared us both worthy and in need through his suffering on our behalf.  We all need the gift of the Father’s mercy and grace purchased by the Son on that tree.  For the record Dear Reader, I do not care what you have done.  I am willing to follow with you.  I am willing to walk with you.  We can discuss this as much as you wish.

Come as You Are – Crowder

Come out of sadness

From wherever you've been

Come broken hearted

Let rescue begin

Come find your mercy

Oh sinner come kneel

Earth has no sorrow

That heaven can't heal

Earth has no sorrow

That heaven can't heal

So lay down your burdens

Lay down your shame

All who are broken

Lift up your face

Oh wanderer come home

You're not too far

So lay down your hurt

Lay down your heart

Come as you are

There's hope for the hopeless

And all those who've strayed

Come sit at the table

Come taste the grace

There's rest for the weary

Rest that endures

Earth has no sorrow

That heaven can't cure

So lay down your burdens

Lay down your shame

All who are broken

Lift up your face

Oh wanderer come home

You're not too far

Lay down your hurt

Lay down your heart

Come as you are

Come as you are

Fall in his arms

Come as you are

There's joy for the morning

Oh sinner be still

Earth has no sorrow

That heaven can't heal

Earth has no sorrow

That heaven can't heal

So lay down your burdens

Lay down your shame

All who are broken

Lift up your face

Oh wanderer come home

You're not too far

So lay down your hurt

Lay down your heart

Come as you are

Come as you are

Come as you are

Come as you are

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:

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I Do Not Care ~ Never Let You Go

Greetings Dear Reader,

I want to relate an event told to me by one of my closest friends.  It is true.  A man and his adult daughter were watching a movie one evening.  They were sitting in a double recliner.  The man fell asleep toward the end of the movie.  What unfolds was told to him by his daughter.

She had planned that night to take her own life.  After he fell asleep, he took hold of her hand.  She did not want to wake him so she waited for him to let go of it.  He never did.  When she tried to slip away, he tightened his grip and would not let go.  He slept deeply whilst she sat there pondering why she could not get away to accomplish her task.

I have a serious blind spot at times that leads to foolishness often.  Because we see love in this world as something conditional, we forget that it is not always that way.  At times we see humans succeed in loving unconditionally.  It is, however, less common than it should be.

The Son is much different.  We cannot truly escape him.  Once he has us in hand, he will never let go of us.  Think about his interaction with disciples after they had rejected and denied him.  He sought them out and reminded them that they were his.  When they abandoned the mission to return to fishing, he still sought them out to bring them back to faith and following.

The entire idea of grace and redemption is that God will never forsake us.  Beyond that, his love will never lessen.  His pursuit of us is constant.  The opportunity to be embraced by it exists in every moment.  We need only look for it.

My flaw is that I think that I have to do something to keep the love of the Father and Son clear in my life.  I think that I hold onto God when in truth he always holds me.  No one can take me from his hand. 

The world would be much different if we would see that the human failure to constantly love each other is not what is real.  What is genuine is that I can see the love of the Father for me in every moment that I choose to see it. The Father does not care what I have done.  He is always there to love me and restore me to seeing his love for me. This is where I must live.  This is where I must walk. 

Everything else is powerless in light of this.  Unlike humans, God will never give up on me.  I am never alone.  This is the foundation of my journey.  This is why I ask you to journey with me Dear Reader, so that we can enjoy this love together.

I’ll Never Let Go of Your Hand – Don Francisco

I know what you've been hearing
I've seen you hide your fear
Embarrassed by your weaknesses
Afraid to let Me near

I wish you knew how much I long
For you to understand
No matter what may happen, child
I'll never let go of your hand

I know you've been forsaken
By all you've known before
When you've failed their expectations
They frown and close the door

But even though your heart itself
Should lose the will to stand
No matter what may happen, child
I'll never let go of your hand

The life that I have given you
No one can take away
I've sealed it with My Spirit, blood, and word
The everlasting Father has made His covenant with you
And He's stronger than the world you've seen and heard

So don't you fear to show them
All the love I have for you

I'll be with you everywhere
In everything you do

And even if you do it wrong
And miss the joy I planned
I'll never, never let go of your hand

The life that I have given you
No one can take away
I've sealed it with My Spirit, blood, and word
The everlasting Father has made His covenant with you
And He's stronger than the world you've seen and heard

So don't you fear to show them
All the love I have for you

I'll be with you everywhere
In everything you do
And even if you do it wrong
And miss the joy I planned
I'll never, never let go of your hand
I'll never let go of your hand

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

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I Do Not Care ~ Opening Thoughts

Greetings Dear Reader,

Is it possible that “I don’t care” sounds harsher than “I do not care”? I think that the contraction relates an intensity that goes beyond emphasis and inflection.  The expression of not caring has its own binary inference.  It is never neutral even though it may convey indifference.

When used in the negative, it is a hurtful thing.  Whether one is expressing indifference or injecting venom, the phrase rejects something that matters to the receiver.  It minimizes, denies, and harms.  The negative employment of the phrase deprives another of joy intentionally.

The positive employment of this phrase, however, can be powerful as well.  It can be freeing, healing, and restorative.  It can give an opportunity for restoration and reconciliation.  It can show a change in that one no longer cares about things that once caused division.  It can reveal growth and wisdom. 

I need to spend some time evaluating what truly matters the Father in terms of following his Son.  If the foundation is love, there are things that must not matter moving forward down the path.  An honest understanding and adaptation of this can lead to great forgiveness between humans.  We throw away things that matter and hold on to things that do not.  It makes the journey burdensome.

In changing out what I carry with me, I feel this exercise is necessary more often than I have previously considered.  Someone gave me more insight into this recently and reminded me how few things the Father cares about beyond his love for us.  Even when we are wrong, his love is not mitigated in the least. 

As I walk through this over the next few days, please walk with me Dear Reader.  If I am going to love you properly, I need to let you see me lay aside things that do not matter to the Father.  I need for you to see that I will hold on to the things that do matter to him.  Perhaps, you too can ponder with me about what really matters.  As always, your thoughts and questions are welcome.

I Don’t Care Where You’ve Been Sleeping – Don Francisco

I loved you long before the time your eyes first saw the day
And everything I've done has been to help you on the way
But you took all that you wanted then, at last, you took your leave,
And traded off a Kingdom for the lies that you believed

And although you've chosen darkness with its miseries and fears
Although you've gone so far from Me and wasted all those years
Even though my name's been spattered by the mire in which you lie
I'd take you back this instant if you'd turn to Me and cry.

I don't care where you've been sleeping, I don't who's made your bed
I've already gave My life to set you free;
There's no sin you could imagine that is stronger than my love,
And it's all yours if you'll come home again to Me.

When you come back to your senses and you see who's been to blame,
Remember all the good things that were yours with just My name;
Then don't waste another thought before you change the way you're bound
I'll be running out to meet you if you'll only turn around

I don't care where you've been sleeping, I don't who's made your bed
I've already gave My life to set you free;
There's no sin you could imagine that is stronger than my love,
And it's all yours if you'll come home again to 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 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

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The Element of Indifference

Greetings Dear Reader,

I had a conversation recently about how important it is not to be unkind to others.  She realized that she was treating a coworker in a very mean way.  This week when I spoke to her she said that she had gone all week without being mean to the aforementioned coworker.

She went on to tell me that the coworker asked why she was mad.  As we continued the conversation my friend explained that she was not mad but rather she was indifferent.  Sometimes or maybe always indifference is actually aggression.  Whether passive or active, being indifferent requires the withholding of good positive interaction. 

One must practice indifference to achieve it.  That is an aggressive act.  If I am indifferent to the needs of others I am doing harm.  Withholding kindness is to do intentional harm.  In a world where we are required to be recognized by our love for each other there is no room for indifference.

We would not withhold food from someone who is starving but we walk in a world where people are hungry for kindness.  We cannot afford to treat anyone with indifference.  It robs others of hope and love.

It is not enough for me to not do evil.  I must actively do good.  I cannot be indifferent to anyone.  I must do everything I can to show kindness and love to others.  Indifference is aggression done with subtlety.   Kindness must be given with intent.

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:

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

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The War of Indifference ~ Closing Thoughts

Greetings Dear Reader,

Vigilance is the key to the war on indifference.  I must always be aware that embracing indifference can harm others.  It can hinder my faith.  It will cause others to see my faith as empty.

I cannot be indifferent to the needs of others.  If I do then I am not living the faith that I profess.  I am not following Christ.  The evidence of my faith in the eyes of men is my care for others.  It is the working out of compassion and love in the name of Christ.

Indifference is the wolf always at the door.  Wisdom and vigilance must always be my weapons.  In short I must always wage war on indifference.  It is not optional if I am to follow Christ well. 

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 ͡°)

The War of Indifference ~ Unfortunate Events

Greetings Dear Reader,

One of the things that pushes me to be indifferent is when things go wrong.  I have seen so many things for which I gave my heart shatter that I feel a strong response toward indifference.  I realize it is a wrong attempt at self-preservation.

When these events occur l feel the losses and failures from the past reasserting their opinion that I am a fool.  I hear Avalon telling me that I am “not a good deal on paper,” as a reason for leaving me.  My fallen nature calls for me to sink into a hole of despair.

Then there is memory, wisdom, and faith.  I remember that I have survived every other unfortunate event I have encountered.  Some of them should have taken my life.  I have scars and those unpleasant memories but I also have the good things that have come after the pain.

Wisdom shows me that indifference never works out.  I am a caring soul.  I am designed to love others.  I am never the only one impacted by unfortunate events.  I am promised by the Father that I will not be given more than I can endure.  If I give in to indifference I am ignoring wisdom and failing to follow the Son.

I must recall that my faith is just for times like this.  My faith has seen me through turbulent, painful, and dangerous times.  It is a shield against the aforementioned attacks both current and remembered. Faith is to be my strong companion in all things.  It is useless if it does not work now.

Faith is the substance of things that we hope for.  It is the evidence of that which is unseen.  Without it I cannot please the Father.  In any series of unfortunate events it faith that will carry me through.

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 ͡°)

The War of Indifference ~ Pain Part 2

Greetings Dear Reader,

Physical pain is nothing compared to emotional pain.  The problem with continuing emotional pain is that it hides and attacks.  It can summon memories from long ago to torment us when we least expect it.

Emotional pain is a siren to indifference for me.  I spent some time with my emotions shut down because of it.  I was indifferent to the pain of others.  I would feign emotion when the situation called for it.  I could be angry in an instant.

I have learned to deal honestly with how I feel and to separate feeling from fact and action.  This does not prevent emotional pain from assaulting me whenever it wishes.  It does not mitigate the pain or the temptation to be indifferent. 

This war fought in the mind and heart must be one of constant vigilance.  It must be an act of will in every moment to care.  I must have compassion.  I must do what is right even when it hurts.  It is in follow in faith that I have the power to do this.

I cannot afford to be indifferent if it makes me numb to the needs of others.  This is not a safe place.  It is a selfish one. 

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 ͡°)

The War of Indifference ~ Pain Part 1

Greetings Dear Reader,

I have lived with pain in my right shoulder since March of 1978.  It subsided for the first time last year when I injured my left shoulder.  Please do not hear this as a complaint. It is information that is foundational to this discussion.

This is short and simple.  If I am to remain compassionate about the physical pain of others I must fight indifference.  When my heart is in the right place the discomfort or pain of others always impacts me.  I remember to use my discomfort as a reminder to be compassionate. 

When my heart is centered on my own woes I forget to be compassionate and am indifferent to others.  I have trained my mind to think of others when my own pain rises.  I have trained it to consider their pain in the midst of my own.

The lesson I need to remember is that if I do not plan to fight indifference then my pain will cause me to be indifferent to the pain of others.  My own anything must not keep me from seeing and caring about the needs of others.  It is a constant war that requires constant indifference.

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 ͡°)

The War of Indifference ~ Stubbornness

Greetings Dear Reader,

I am so very stubborn.  I get my mind set on something and budging off of it is right out.  This can be good or bad depending on the focus of my willfulness.  Most of the time when I am stubborn and irritated it is a bad thing.

Hermann G. Simon

I become especially stubborn when I am wrong.  I become angry stubborn when I am wrong and I know it.  This is so dangerous because I become indifferent to anything anyone says.  Nothing can calm me or sway me until i realize that I have chosen to follow my will instead of Christ.

The danger of the indifference born of stubbornness is that it can lead to refusal of all faith.  It takes humility to see that you are wrong.  It is pride that fuels my angry stubbornness.  The angry stubbornness is not a product of faith.  It is not a product of love.

When I am indifferent to love and humility I act in faithless ways.  This is dangerous.  It easily leads to unbelief.  Indifference to love, humility, and faith breeds pride and stubbornness. 

The writer of Hebrews warns me, “Be careful, brothers and sisters, that none of you ever develop a wicked, unbelieving heart that turns away from the living God.”  I must battle indifference by battling stubbornness.  I must battle stubbornness by embracing humility.  If I fail at this I will ultimately fail at faith. 

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 ͡°)

The War of Indifference ~ Opening Thoughts

Greetings Dear Reader,

I have fought so many things that keep me from following Christ as closely as I desire.  In the ebb and flow of temptation and determination I can often but not always choose to do right.  The hardest battle I fight is that of indifference.

It seems to me that this may be the most common struggle for me is indifference.  When the pain mounts to high or the struggle is too difficult I have an indifference switch that wants to flip as a means of “preservation”.  I make my very worst choices when I choose to flip that switch.

It seems that indifference becomes armor for some.  If one acts as if they do not care then less can hurt; less can reach the damaged places.  Humans are meant to be loving kind beings.  They are designed to treat each other with compassion.

When the world becomes too difficult to endure we need somewhere to turn.  When we do not have a place of solace we can use indifference as a shield.  It becomes a carapace if we do it too often.  We become less human to protect ourselves from the pain.  We become indifferent to the needs of others as a side effect.

I need to bolster my defense against indifference.  I need to assure that I have put a safeguard over the switch.  I must put my faith into the forefront.  I must develop a carapace against indifference.  I could use your company on the walk 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 ͡°)