Music that Moves Me – Which Way are You Going

Greetings Dear Reader,

There are some songs that timeless address the social issues for which Christ followers are responsible.  The current debates over gun violence and family values are things over which all Christ followers should agree.  We do not.

There is only one standard by which we should measure things.  Are we showing the love of Christ to each other, our enemies, and the world?  One cannot show love to someone whilst shooting them.  That seems a bit obvious. 

Not to put too fine a point on it but the argument for or against most social issues offered by Christ followers does not include those Christ followers taking personal responsibility for the needs of those involved.  We are the ones responsible for the social needs of our neighbors.  We are the ones who are required to care for others no matter if they believe as we do or not.

When we fail to do this we fail to live out the Gospel.  We create confusion for the world about who we are when they know in their souls who we are supposed to be.  The requirement is that we love everyone.  The way we live that out is by caring for their needs. 

There is nothing wrong with having standards or prosperity.  There is something very wrong with not helping others because we are judgmental or selfish.  There is something very wrong with living out violence against others when we are commanded to love them.  I cannot claim to follow Christ and ignore these things.

My treatment of others with love and respect must cross all lines of religion, culture, and social preference.  This is how I show the love of Christ.  If I can do this daily I can make a difference.  This is how I show which way I am going and perhaps convince others to travel with me.

Which Way are You Going – Jim Croce

Which way are you going, which side will you be on

Will you stand and watch while, all the seeds of hate are sown

Will you stand with those who say, let his will be done

One hand on the bible; one hand on the gun

One hand on the bible; one hand on the gun

Which way are you looking, is it hard to see

Do you say what’s wrong for him, is not wrong for me

You walk the streets, righteousness but you refuse to understand

You say you love the baby; then you crucify the man

You say you love the baby; then you crucify the man

Every day, things are changing, words once honored turned to lies

People wondering, can you blame them

It’s too far to run, and too late to hide

Now you turn your back on, all the things that you used to preach

Now its let him live in freedom, if he lives like me

Well you light has changed, confusion rains, what have you become

All your olive branches turned to spears; when your flowers turned to guns

Your olive branches turned to spears; when your flowers turned to guns

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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Say What You Need to Say - Milestones

Greetings Dear Reader,

“You're traveling through another dimension, a dimension not only of sight and sound but of mind; a journey into a wondrous land whose boundaries are that of imagination. That's the signpost up ahead—your next stop, the Twilight Zone!”

I ponder sometimes the vast number of signs we pass every day.  I contemplate what we take in and what we ignore.  I question some of the things we celebrate as the their value in celebration. 

We enter the new every day.  We breach a new horizon.  Many mark another Monday with disdain whilst yearning for Friday.  Wednesday becomes just the crest of the hill so they can glide into the weekend.  Every day is a gift and we do not treat it that way.

Time slips through the glass and we miss so many things that are intended to bring us awe.  During winter I make time to wonder at the constellations whilst other hurry into the house to escape the cold.  There is time in the day to embrace the wonder of the world if we allow it.

We make our way toward that “undiscovered country” with no hope of ceasing the journey.  We must find joy along the way to sustain us.  We must gather in the beauty of the universe so that we see just how much of it exists to prepare us.  I am honored to have been given another milestone at the advent of this milepost.

It is in the journey toward God that we are to find him.  If I waste a single day of that pursuit then I lose out.  I have less in which to wonder and marvel.  I have less warm winds to life the powdery wings of faith on which I fly.  I have less of Christ to share if I do not pursue him in every moment.

At this milestone I need to say just how much I love the world because I love the Creator of that world.  I love the journey because of the one I follow.  There is always joy in the midst of sorrow because of my fellow traveler.  There is also joy because of you Dear Reader.  Thank you for your company along the way.  This milestone reminds me so much of our destination: The Unknown Country, already discovered by others.  We must keep moving as the sun is at its zenith.

I’ve Got A Name – Jim Croce

Like the pine trees lining the winding road

I've got a name

I've got a name

Like the singing bird and the croaking toad

I've got a name

I've got a name

And I carry it with me like my daddy did

But I'm living the dream that he kept hid

Moving me down the highway

Rolling me down the highway

Moving ahead so life won't pass me by

Like the North wind whistling down the sky

I've got a song

I've got a song

Like the whip-poor-will and the baby's cry

I've got a song

I've got a song

And I carry it with me and I sing it loud

If it gets me nowhere, I'll go there proud

Moving me down the highway

Rolling me down the highway

Moving ahead so life won't pass me by

And I'm gonna go there free

Like the fool I am and I'll always be

I've got a dream

I've got a dream

They can change their minds but they can't change me

I've got a dream

I've got a dream

I know I could share it if you want me to

If you’re going my way I'll go with you

Moving me down the highway

Rolling me down the highway

Moving ahead so life won't pass me by

Moving me down the highway

Rolling me down the highway

Moving ahead so life won't pass me by

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 ͡°)