Meditations In the Christmas Story – A Seven Way King - Tempus Rex

Merry Christmas Dear Reader,

“And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judaea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem; (because he was of the house and lineage of David: )”

Matthew the Tax Collector takes the time to show us Jesus rightful claim to the throne of Israel a paternal descendant of David.  Luke shows us Jesus’ right to the throne through his mother.

He is the rightful King of Israel.  He is the rightful King of the world.  Dr. S. M. Lockridge explains that Jesus is a seven way King:   

He's the King of the Jews - that's an Ethnic King

He's the King of Israel - that's a National King

He's the King of righteousness.

He's the King of the ages.

He's the King of Heaven.

He's the King of glory.

He's the King of kings and He is the Lord of lords

His parents return to the city of their forebear King David to give birth to the King of Kings.  Their thoughts are not on royalty.  The parents thoughts are on shelter and safety in the shadow of forced migration. 

They are nonetheless the hidden prince and princess of every fantasy tale.  They are the bearers of the golden child who comes to save the kingdom.  They are the ones who bring forth the hero that will one day fulfill the return of the King.

The babe is the manger is my King.  I honor him as such.  It is for the King that we exist. We live as if he is far way when he says he is with us.  We live as if he will not return but he has made clear that he coming back to that that which is his own.  He has already won and we wait by celebrating the birth but we must do more to live the reality.

I must do more.  I must live like the King is here.  It is in him that I live and move and have my being.

King Jesus – Jeremy Camp

All creation shook on that very day

The Lamb was slain

Then redemption came to anyone

Who would call His name

With peace and with strength

You broke these heavy chains

And salvation reigned

And with a shout of praise

And with our voices raised

King Jesus, Your are victorious

You have conquered death with this life of love

King Jesus, You are victorious

You paid the final debt for all of us

King Jesus, You are victorious

None can separate the very hope

And grace that He displayed

Neither height nor depth

Or anyone can steal the love He gave

And with a shout of praise

And with our voices raised

One day every knee will bow

Behold You in Your glory

Every tongue will declare Your Holy name

King Jesus, You are victorious

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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My King – Closing Thoughts

Greetings Dear Reader,

The light is just beginning to swim against the night.  The full moon is till up. I can make out faint grey where there was black.  It is cloudy so there will be no sudden brightness.  Everyone I love is elsewhere so I conduct my own quiet sunrise service.  I sit with my coffee and embrace the damp chill of the morning. 

New York City - 1956

I think about the women going early to the grave of my King.  They do not know yet.  They seek the dead.  They are going to serve the corpse of the King with spices and herbs.  They are doing a loving duty out of grief and loss.  They do not know.  They have faith and hope to sustain them but for the moment they seek the dead.

I ponder what we have lost along the way.  I consider that we no longer live in a nation that respects those who believe in God.  I have a conversation with someone who was told it was wrong to mention Jesus when talking about Easter.  If people do not see Jesus as he is then it is the fault of his followers.  Any ground we have lost to is because we do not live the Gospel.

As our society rejects Christ it hangs on to the trappings of the holy day.  Eggs, baskets, and bunnies replace joy, worship, and fealty.  We want to remake Christ into our image.  We want to make Jesus accepting of every position, choice, and lifestyle when he already is already accepting of everyone.  We want to pick and choose how we follow him instead of the he commands us to follow. 

We want to make the King politically correct.  My King lives and moves outside of politics.  He already became like us but his purpose in doing so was to that we could learn to be more like him.  He wants us to live.  He wants us to live in his light, love, and grace.

We try to make the living King conform to the dead.  He already did that and death could not contain him.  We try to dismiss the reality for our manufactured version of the truth.  We try to fit the living God into our constructs when life only thrives under the constructs he has determined.   

I promise you that we do not want the Jesus that we manufacture with our theologies, rules, and empty practices.  I think the angels at the tomb ask the same question every day.  “Why do you look for the living among the dead?”  I think they are astounded at our futile attempts to remake the King into our image.

As I have written this the light has grown.  The temperature has not gone up.  The coffee has gone cold but I am warm.  I am warn in the certain knowledge that Jesus Christ is risen.  He became like me so that I could become like him.  He came to seek and save all that was lost in every moment that we failed to follow him.  He died but death could not contain him.  He and the Father already had others plans.  That’s my King.  I wonder; do you know him?

A Little More Like Me – Kenny Rogers

It was an April night and I was driving

Went out on the town

The show was at the palace

So we all went on down

We all had a bomb as I recall

But now it seems absurd

As the madness raged upon the stage

He didn't say a word

He was a little weak and we all fear

It wasn't one of us

He didn't drink, he didn't smoke

And he didn't cuss

You'd see him now and then

With a bunch of men hanging around the sea

And I'm sure I would have liked him more

If he were a little more like me

It was a spring each day

The clouds were gray

Looked like in my dream

Thought about the night before

And I was so ashamed

When I heard what they had done to him

Stranger I had known

But as drunk as we all got last night

It's a wonder we got home

He was a little weak and we all fear

It wasn't one of us

He didn't drink, he didn't smoke

And he didn't [Incomprehensible]

You'd see him now and then

With a bunch of men hanging around the sea

And I'm sure I would have liked him more

If he were a little more like me

And I'm sure I would have liked him more

If he were a little more like 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.”

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My King – Empty Graves

Greetings Dear Reader,

“…and the grave couldn't hold Him.”

There are moments fleeting and turbulent.  There are moments steady and calm.  Some of those moments seem to last an eternity.  Today is always one of those moments to me.  It is as if the hour glass has run out and we are waiting for the keep to turn it again.  Time is full and we await the turning so it can empty again.

It is as if we are in the trough between vast waves on a blustery sea.   All we can see around us are angry walls of water.  The dark sky and the raging wind remind us that we are at the mercy of powers far beyond our reach. 

Yesterday’s grief is still fresh, raw, and keening in our souls.  We have paid for the party with our dearest blood.  My King is attempting to turn death into a fighting chance to live.  The eternal transaction is being played out.  The King, my King is dead.

We are in that moment where payment has been laid on the table.  Our debts to God are in the balance.  Will God accept the payment?  Will Christ’s blood be enough to cover the debt of death and destruction we owe?  My debt is laid on the table.  The table is a slab in a borrowed tomb.  Will the Father take up the payment?  Will my King live?  Will I get to live?

In the moment this moment can seem to stretch on endlessly.  In the throes of pain so deep it seems the pain will never end.  The raw exposed nerves scream and cry for solace they do not believe is available.  That moment, however, passes.  The next moment comes.  The ship mounts the next wave.  The glass is rotated and the pinch is filled.

Tomorrow will come.  We know the glass will be turned.  My King told us it would be.  “Destroy this temple and in three days I will raise it up,” he said.  “I will draw all humans to me,” he said.  After the beating, the crucifixion, and the death there is the waiting.  After the grief, the loss, and the angry blood moon there is another day.

After weeping, despair, and mourning there is morning.  Time will roll on. There is a stone sealed over the door guarded by soldiers.  The stone will roll aside.  There is a flood of grace and mercy unleased as Jesus rolls off of the slab and steps into the light. 

The sand begins to flow through the pinch.  We can see a break in the clouds as we mount the next wave.  In the early morning light we can see the empty tomb and the winding sheet.  Time rolls on until the next moment when there will be empty graves. 

Life will return.  We will all rise.  “Even if my body is no more, I know in my flesh that I will see the Lord.”  That’s my King.  I wonder if you know him.

Sweet River Roll – Waterdeep

Homebound Henry's he’s got a tumor in his head

He wakes up sweating every morning after dreaming he was dead

He used to think that life was boring, but now that's not the case

He turns to his wife in the evening

He says "Honey I'm afraid I'm gonna lose this race"

Sweet River roll all over me

Sweet River roll, hey all over me

Soaking wet Juliet, she lives in a well full of tears

Her husband left her for some bimbo after twenty-two years

Now she's got to start all over, but she's just so terrified

She thinks it woulda been so much easier if he woulda just died

Sweet River roll all over me

Sweet River roll, hey all over me

Now I'm lookin' out my car window sittin' in the pouring rain

Although your house is fifteen miles away, I can still feel your pain

Now I've thought and prayed and worked it

Through about a hundred times or more

How your soul just cries to everyone to help you get up off the floor

Right now it's morning, you're probably sleepin'

I bet you're totally unaware

Of the flood of kisses you hold back by the way that you despair

It ain't me I'm talking about here, or anybody else you can touch

That's all I want to say right now, I don't want to say too much

Except Sweet Jesus roll

Roll all over me

Sweet Jesus roll, hey

All over me

Sweet Jesus, oh you has to roll, hey

You gotta roll all over me

Sweet Jesus, oh You has to roll, hey

And use to set me free

Ahh just set me free, hey

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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My King – Death

Greetings Dear Reader,

“Death couldn't handle him.”

I have written extensively about death.  I hate the loss it causes but I also understand that it is a mercy from God.  When we sinned the entire echo system was changed from a life based one to death based.

We celebrate Spring and the renewal of life.  We talk about the warming weather.  We move back outside to see the buds, leaves, grass, and sprouts.  All the growth we celebrate springs from death.  The seed, the lead, and the limb all fall to the ground and die. 

Death is there waiting patiently for us all.  He has visited those I love while I was helpless to do anything.  Then there is my King.  As I mentioned yesterday death was a choice.  His death came swiftly but in inches. 

The bleeding starts in the garden.  The pain of what he knew was coming caused the God/man great grief.  His friends sleep while he prays.  He is arrested, beaten, and flogged.  The bleeding continues.  He whipped up the hill, laid down, nailed to the cross, and dies.

Without faith there is no hope.  Death seems so final without faith.  But it is only Friday.  Death cannot handle my King because he is King over death.  Death will die.  Death will end.  Life will be eternal because death cannot handle my King. 

In the moment, however, we wait.  Whilst we wait we should remember who it is that bleeds beginning in the garden.  Alone and about to be totally alone my King asks his Father if there is another way.  He knows there is not.  He knows that death my redeem us.  He submits to the shame and torture.  He submits to the abuse and hatred.  He submits to death for the sake of those who kill him.  That’s my King.  I wonder if you can really see him.

In the Garden – Michael Card

Trembling with fear, alone in the garden

Battle before the final war

Blood became tears, there in the garden

To fall upon the silent stone

There in the darkness the Light

And the darkness stood still

Two choices, one tortured will

And there once the choice had been made

All the world could be saved by the One in the garden

The light of the dawn, was seen in the garden

By gentle eyes so sadly wise

The angels appear, they come to the garden

Clothed with sighs, they realize

The One they adored from the start

Will be broken apart

By the ones He had come to save

So they’re here simply now to be near

He's no longer alone, they sit by moan

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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My King – Un-killable

Greetings Dear Reader,

“Herod couldn't kill Him.”

When Christmas first came to live with us she had accepted Jesus as the redeemer she needed.  Her theology, however, was quite limited.  Her past had put quite the negative spin on the word “God”.  When she learned that Jesus is God she was quite upset.  It took some time and explanation to work through the specifics but seeing who Jesus is helped her work through her feelings about the entire  matter.

There is a reason that so much of this discussion has focused on who Jesus is.  We cannot kill God.  We try over and over to destroy him.  Jesus made it clear that no can take his life from him.  He explained that he gave up his life freely for our reclamation. 

Even in the final moments Jesus did not simply die.  He gave up his life.  He is the author of all life and gave it up freely.  He is the one who desires the best in every life.  To Jesus every life matters.  Imagine how much it would cost to feel compassion for the man ripping your flesh from your body with a whip.  What would it take to feel forgiveness for the soldier driving rusty nails into your hands and feet?   What does it take to love your closest friends when they run away because you are in trouble?

No one took Jesus’ life but we all killed him.  He went to the cross so that I could live.  He looked out at the mocking jeering people who had so recently hailed him as hosanna the King.  He saw the ones who wanted him dead.  He asked the Father to forgive them because they did not know what they were doing.  Then he let go of his life and died. That’s my King.  I wonder if you know what comes next.

Crown Him – Michael Card

Crown Him, Crown Him, the angry people did cry

Crown Him, Crown Him, let Him be crucified

Crown Him, Crown Him, let Him not remain alive

Crown Him, Crown Him, He must be crucified

So a circle of pain and love

Came down upon His head

It was not for anything He'd done

Or for anything He'd said

For all His life He'd sought to show

They were only living a lie

But they didn't care to hear, Oh no

They just wanted Him to die

Crown Him, Crown Him, the angry people did cry

Crown Him, Crown Him, let Him be crucified

Crown Him, Crown Him, let Him not remain alive

Crown Him, Crown Him, He must be crucified

Soon a circle of glory

Will be placed upon His brow

And He'll come to reign forever

Though it may not seem so now

Then our time of tears and trouble

Will seem only like a dream

As we stand before the glory

Of our Savior and our King

Crown Him, Crown Him

Holy angels sing all Glory honor, power and grace

Crown Him King of Kings

Crown Him, Crown Him, those redeemed and damned

Will bow with me and humbly, sing worthy is the lamb

Crown Him, Crown Him

Holy angels sing all Glory honor, power and grace

Crown Him King of Kings

Crown Him, Crown Him, those redeemed and damned

Will bow with me and humbly, sing worthy is the lamb

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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My King – Witnesses

Greetings Dear Reader,

“The witnesses couldn't get their testimonies to agree.”

Eyewitness accounts vary.  When it came to the mock trials that condemned my King there was no clear testimony that proved him guilty.  The Pharisees could not convict him under the Law of Moses.  Herod could not find a reason to condemn him and just wanted to be entertained.  Pilate was trying to find a way to release him.

None of the witnesses against Christ could produce anything substantive that proved him guilty.  A family member once tried to convince me that Jesus’ big mistake was his triumphal entry into Jerusalem.  Jesus made no mistakes.  The reason the witnesses cannot agree is that they have nothing of value to say against Christ.

It continues.  People still try to malign the character of Jesus.  The attacks are either outright deposition or revising history.  Still the witnesses cannot get their testimonies to agree.  The attempts to deny who Jesus is do not stand up to honest scrutiny.  The revision of history is based on speculation instead of hard evidence. 

Unfortunately many who claim to follow Christ cannot get their testimonies to agree either.  Too much baggage is added to the simplicity of the Gospel by those who wish to use Jesus for their own purposes.  They may even be sincere.  If, however, one honestly seeks Christ they will see that any action that is not rooted in love and grace is not rooted in Christ.

What that means for me is that any “testimony” about who Christ is should pass the test of who Christ says he is.  He claims to be God.  He claims to be all that we need for access to the Father through faith.  He demands that we love EVERYONE.  He insists that we refrain from judging others and instead seek his kingdom. 

I must follow in faith.  I must love on conditionally.  I must let my actions be my testimony and witness that Jesus is who he claims to be for all humans.  Two millennia ago the false witnesses are beginning to assemble and plan.  One of his friends is preparing to hand him over fall all the wrong reasons.  I must not join in the falsehood.  I must not partake of the lies.  I must always represent Christ through humility and kindness.

Jesus is my King.  It is my duty to represent him well.  I must take on the role of servant to all.  I must live his example of giving my all for the sake of the kingdom.  Silent submission to all that is necessary for the great good is the way.  Turning death into a fighting chance to live is the truth.  Giving testimony through constant commitment to God is the life. That’s my King.  I wonder if you know him.

The Basin and the Towel – Michael Card

And the call is to community…

In an upstairs room, a parable

Is just about to come alive.

And while they bicker about who's best,

With a painful glance, He'll silently rise.

Their Savior Servant must show them how

Through the will of the water

And the tenderness of the towel.

And the call is to community,

The impoverished power that sets the soul free.

In humility, to take the vow,

That day after day we must take up the basin and the towel.

In any ordinary place,

On any ordinary day,

The parable can live again

When one will kneel and one will yield.

Our Savior Servant must show us how

Through the will of the water

And the tenderness of the towel.

And the space between ourselves sometimes

Is more than the distance between the stars.

By the fragile bridge of the Servant's bow

We take up the basin and the towel.

And the call is to community,

The impoverished power that sets the soul free.

In humility, to take the vow,

That day after day we must take up the basin and the towel.

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 ͡°)

My King – No Fault

Greetings Dear Reader,

Pilate couldn't find any fault in Him.

Pause for a moment to consider just one thing you have done wrong.  It does not need to be big or horrid.  Jesus’ brother, James reminds us that “If someone obeys all of God's laws except one, that person is guilty of breaking all of them.”  The Father’s standard is perfection and no one measures up to that standard.

Jesus, however, did.  Pilate could find no fault in him.  No one could produce evidence of any wrongdoing.  He was the fulfillment of the symbolism of the spotless lamb for Passover.  He kept the law in every point.  He did it so that we, the lawbreakers could benefit from his death.

Death is the penalty of our sin.  We forget this.  He did not owe a death.  He paid one for all of us.  He took our pain, punishment, shame, and sin.  I cannot ponder this for too long without being totally shaken by it. 

Again I am reminded that he rode into Jerusalem for Passover knowing that he was the sacrifice.  Everyone he loved would abandon or be separated from him.  Everything he did that was good would be questioned and dismissed.  People who saw him raise the dead would call for his death.  Those he healed would demand that he be wounded.

He spent the week with the people he loved.  Jesus continued to work the plan right up until he handed back to the Father in the garden.  He never left his faith or his obedience to the law.  He never was guilty and no one could honestly find fault.  He died innocent of all charges to insure my redemption.  That’s my King.  I wonder if you really know him.

Known by the Scars – Michael Card

Mother Mary cried as she held heaven her arms

For the shadow of the scar she saw was clear

As her own bewildered baby lay weeping for the world

Whose frightened tears would free us all from fear

The marks of death that God chose never to erase

The wounds of loves eternal war

When the kingdom comes with its perfected sons

He will be known by the scars

For a time He sought to tell the world He was the Way

That God the father had a human heart

With His own holy hands He sought

To touch and heal their scars

But they chose to tear those gentle hands apart

What was there to wipe away the tears

Firm the holy eyes of God

As He looked upon His one and only Son

Who'd never sin, no nigh, yet was crucified

The marks of death that God chose never to erase

The wounds of loves eternal war

When the kingdom comes with its perfected sons

He will be known by the scars

And after they had slain Him and laid Him in the grave

And the ones He loved had fled into the dark

Then His love and power raised Him

God won the victory

But they only recognized Him by the scars

The marks of death that God chose never to erase

The wounds of loves eternal war

When the kingdom comes with its perfected sons

He will be known by the scars

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 ͡°)

My King – The Pharisees

Greetings Dear Reader,

”The Pharisees couldn't stand Him, but they found out they couldn't stop Him.”

Almost from the beginning the Pharisees opposed Jesus.  They were charged with understanding the Law of Moses and caring for the people.  Instead they turned the law into a prison that they used to control and rob the people.  They heard Jesus challenge their corruption and chose to protect their power over the truth.

I see so much of this today.  Those charged with the care of Christ followers burden them with practices and pretenses that enslave them to a religion.  Instead of using the Gospel to free people it gets used to manipulate them.  Even this week, Holy Week is used to promote practice over faith.  Not everyone does this but it still happens. 

As a Christ follower my obligation is to assure that those who are willing to come to Christ find the burden easy and light.  It is my responsibility to attend to the weighty matters of the law and by doing so assure that the Gospel reflects who Christ is.  The Gospel is about Jesus and his redemption of humans.

I must not pack the Gospel with my brand of faith and practice.  I must assure that what I tell others is clear and pure.  I must assure that I give accurate distinction between what is required and what is preference.  The latter does not matter to anyone but me.  The former must be lived and shared whenever possible. 

It is the Pharisees ancient and modern that drive people away from Christ.  It is failing to live the Gospel in a way that honestly represents Christ and who he is that I must avoid.  Jesus made it clear that his followers need to love others.  He made it clear that following him meant service and sacrifice.  He took up the cross long before he met Pilot who condemned him.  That’s my King.  I wonder if you know him.

Come As You Are – David Crowder

Come out of sadness from wherever you've been

Come, brokenhearted; let rescue begin

Come find your mercy, O sinner, come kneel

Earth has no sorrow that Heaven can't heal

Earth has no sorrow that Heaven can't heal

Lay down your burdens

Lay down your shame

All who are broken

Lift up your face

O 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

For all those who've strayed

Come sit at the table

Come taste the grace

There's rest for the weary

A rest that endures

Earth has no sorrow that Heaven can't cure

Lay down your burdens

Lay down your shame

All who are broken

Lift up your face

O 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

Fall in His arms

Come as you are

There's joy for the morning

O sinner, be still

Earth has no sorrow that Heaven can't heal

Earth has no sorrow that Heaven can't heal

Lay down your burdens

Lay down your shame

All who are broken

Lift up your face

O wanderer, come home

You're not too far

So lay down your hurt

Lay down your heart

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 home owner. He liberally hands out new and old things from his great treasure store.”

(͡° ͜ʖ ͡°)

My King – …You Can’t Live Without Him

Greetings Dear Reader,

I realize that what I am about to write sounds arrogant, exclusive, and narrow.  I also know that it is possible for something to sound that way, be true, and not be unkind.  You cannot live without Jesus full stop.  I do not mean the pasty Jesus of Renaissance era portraits.  Neither do I mean the fake demanding unloving Jesus portrayed by many “Christian” organizations.

I mean the living Son of God who died so that you could live.  I mean the God/man who could have turned us to dust but chose to live among us and pay for our crimes.  I mean the humble King who road into Jerusalem on a donkey knowing the ones who cheered him on would call for his death within the week.

I wonder Dear Reader when was the last time you looked at Jesus without all the senseless trappings for religion and politics.  He is so much more than anyone can portray.  He is what sustains us even when we hate him.  Jesus is the answer.  He is the answer to every question.

I realize that sounds simplistic and there many complex questions that follow that statement.  Every answer, however, must proceed from a foundation.  That foundation is Jesus.  If you do not honestly look at my King how can you be certain that you do not need him?

All he asks for is everything.  All he starts with, however, is asking for a little faith.  That tiny step, not a leap, is all it takes to begin the journey.  He will meet you where you are.  No one needs to do anything first.  That would be like trying to clean the house before the maid comes.  It would be like trying t get better so you can do see the doctor. 

It is by faith through grace that we are accepted.  It is not by ANYTHING we can do.  In him we live, and move, and have our being.  That’s my King.  I wonder, have you really looked at him?

If You Want to get Free – Waterdeep

In the gas station bathroom by the condom machine

I heard the word of the Lord

He said "Take off your shoes, this is holy ground too

You know I came for the sick and the bored."

Beneath the selling of beers

And the welling up of tears

Out beyond the beam of the remote control

There's a whispering voice

That the humble ear ears

that says "I am still waiting for you to ask just to be made whole."

And the bush it was burning on the mountain top

And though the leaves never blackened, the fire didn't stop

That's the way that it works in this old life of sin

You gotta let the fire burn you just to get clean within

I am so often deterred from my actual intent

by distractions in a cellophane wrap

And by a cruel voice that taunts me when I open them up

to find just one more box full of crap

It's where you're mocked while you abstain

and then cursed when you give in

It's all a game that's impossible to beat

But there's a peaceful refrain God'll sing in your brain

when you put the nails to your hands and your feet

And the smell of our sacrifices

still fills up my head

There's just a few left at the altar, Lord

all the rest of them fled

And we've cried and we've tried

We've sweat and we've bled

But we don't just need atonement

We need to be raised from the dead

When they took down the cross from that dark hillside

The blood on their hands was the blood from his side

That's the way that it works, that’s the way it must be.

You gotta let His blood stain you of you want to get free

If you want to get free

If you want to get free

Don't you want to get free?

I think you want to be free.

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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My King – You Can’t Outlive Him

Greetings Dear Reader,

God is eternal.  We have trouble grasping the concept of eternal because we are finite.  He exists outside of time.  This is another small dose of theology proper that I would ask you to endure.  You see, no one created God.  He has always been. 

I find this much easier to believe than I do an infinite regression of happy accidents required for the universe to exist through spontaneous evolution.  What I am more concerned about here is the implication of this eternal existence for me as a follower of Christ.

It means that my King has all things under his control.  He will not fail and he will not cease to be there.  Coupled with his omnipresence it means that he is always everywhere.  It means that time will not erode who Jesus is.  We may abandon the truth of his existence and nature but it will not change him.

The big implication for me seems selfish at times but it is also vital to an honest understanding of Jesus.  The eternal God who became a man remains an eternal God.  This same all powerful, ever-present person has a quality that changes everything.  Jesus loves me.  Yes it is an old simple song.  Yes it seems simplistic. 

The crux of the matter is that he did not have to come to us.  He could have left us to our short time, limited understanding, and self-destruction.  He could have let time consume us all.  Instead he stepped into time from eternal life to embrace death.  He did it because he loves me.  He did it because he loves you Dear Reader.

He embraced death to live out the two greatest commands.  He did it out of love for the Father and he did it out of love for his neighbors.  He did to set an example of how much we gain when we do this.  The eternal God loved us so much that he would rather die than live without us.  That’s my King.  I wonder, do you know him?

Jesus Loves Me – Michael Card (not the song that you think it is)

Jesus loves me, I know it's true

Because He died for me and He died for you

When I think of all the pain that He went through

I want the world to know and I want to shout the news

Jesus loves me, this I know

It's not just the Bible that tells me so

I can feel it, feel it in my soul

Jesus loves me, this I know

Jesus loves me, how can it be

That the only Son of God should care for me

To take away my sin and set me free

To take my life and make it all, it's meant to be

Jesus loves me, this I know

It's not just the Bible that tells me so

I can feel it, feel it in my soul

Jesus loves me, this I know

Jesus loves me, He loves you too

You can't understand it all just believe it's true

He'll take away your old heart, give you one that's new

You'll feel the walls come down as His love comes breaking through

Jesus loves me, this I know

It's not just the Bible that tells me so

I can feel it, feel it in my soul

Jesus loves me, Jesus loves me

Jesus loves me, this I know

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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My King – On the Mind

Greetings Dear Reader,

“Well, you can't get Him out of your mind”

Next week is Holy Week.  From this point on I try to think of Jesus moment by moment.  I ponder what he must have been pondering.  I do this on purpose.  When I do not he is still there.  You see this among human kings.  The will of the king echoes throughout the land.  The land and the king are one in a sense.

That which is under the control of the king is influenced by those loyal to the king.  My King is ever present in the world.  More has been written about him than anyone.  His name draws a reaction or response from everyone.  I recall meeting my friend Shay and simply saying his name.  We were instantly friends.

My King is not someone who can be taken passively.  He promised to draw all men to himself.  He will be seen and heard.  Nothing has impacted history more than Jesus.  He becomes either our cornerstone or our stone of stumbling.  We fall into him or over him. 

People try to discredit Jesus.  Some do so mildly and some have committed their lives to it.  Some use him for their own benefit.  Some benefit from truly knowing Jesus.  My hope is that everyone will look at him honestly.  Read the Gospels.  Ask the questions.  Look for the truth. 

Jesus will eventually have all things under his control.  He will dominate us with love and mercy.  He will permeate the world with goodness and grace.  He is on the mind even when we do not want him to be there.  You cannot get away from someone who is everywhere.  That’s my King.  I wonder if you have really considered him?

Scandalon – Michael Card

The seers and the prophets had foretold it long ago

That the long awaited one would make men stumble

But they were looking for a king to conquer and to kill

Who'd have ever thought He'd be so weak and humble

He will be the truth that will offend them one and all

A stone that makes men stumble

And a rock that makes them fall

Many will be broken so that He can make them whole

And many will be crushed and lose their own soul

Along the path of life there lies a stubborn Scandalon

And all who come this way must be offended

To some He is a barrier, To others He's the way

For all should know the scandal of believing

v He will be the truth that will offend them one and all

A stone that makes men stumble

And a rock that makes them fall

Many will be broken so that He can make them whole

And many will be crushed and lose their own soul

It seems today the Scandalon offends no one at all

The image we present can be stepped over

Could it be that we are like the others long ago

Will we ever learn that all who come must stumble?

He will be the truth that will offend them one and all

A stone that makes men stumble

And a rock that makes them fall

Many will be broken so that He can make them whole

And many will be crushed and lose their own soul

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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My King – Guarding and Guiding

Greetings Dear Reader,

With baseball’s opening day also being Resurrection Sunday (next week is Holy Week) I am quite excited for both.  The reason I mention it here is that before the season starts I watch a few of my favorite baseball movies.  My current favorite is Trouble with the Curve. 

It is the story of a father and daughter with baseball as the backdrop.  We begin to understand why the father sent the daughter to boarding school as the story unfolds.  She has no idea and he is certain he did the best he could at the time.  He acted as he did to protect his daughter.  In a key moment he says to her “You don’t know half of what you think you know.”

I have thought this so often when one of my children was arguing with me.  I can only imagine how often the Father, God thinks that about me. He knows what is best and I ignore him.  He lets me get into trouble and is there for me when I realize my error.  He constantly stands guardian over my soul.

My King guides when I will follow and he guards when I do not. He is strong enough to allow me to exercise my anger and self-centeredness.  He waits for me to see my own errors.  He guards me until I do.

We are all on a journey to God.  I find that walking with him makes the journey much better.  He gives his angels charge to guard us.  He protects us in ways we cannot image.  When I forget that he guards and guides until I am safely back in step or until I get home.  That’s my King.

I Will Bring You Home – Michael Card

Though you are homeless

Though you're alone

I will be your home

Whatever's the matter

Whatever's been done

I will be your home

I will be your home

I will be your home

In this fearful fallen place

I will be your home

When time reaches fullness

When I move my hand

I will bring you home

Home to your own place

In a beautiful land

I will bring you home

I will bring you home

I will bring you home

From this fearful fallen place

I will bring you home

I will bring you home

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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My King – Available Everywhere

Greetings Dear Reader,

Matthew, author of the Gospel of the same name portrays Jesus as King of the Jews.  He records his final words by quoting what Christ said to his followers just before he departed from them:

“When Jesus came near, he spoke to them. He said, ‘All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. So wherever you go, make disciples of all nations: Baptize them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Teach them to do everything I have commanded you. And remember that I am always with you until the end of time.’"

Jesus made it clear that he is always with us.  If you will forgive a momentary dive into theology proper I would like to point out something that truly aids me in following Christ in the moment.  Since Jesus has all the power of the divine it means that two specific things are true about him.  First he is omnipresent (this means there is no place where Christ is not present).  Second he is eternal, or he transcends time. 

The reason this is important is that it means that there is not a moment in time where Christ is not already standing awaiting your arrival.  There is not a tick of the clock where Jesus is not available to you in that moment.  There is not a grain of sand that falls through the glass that is not appointed by his will.  In that grain he is present for anyone who will acknowledge him.

The implication of this is that anyone willing to follow Christ will have him there to guide him.  It

means that if necessary he will carry you through the moment.  It means that he knows what is coming and will not leave you alone in it.  He is always available to anyone who will seek him.  That’s my King.  I wonder, do you know him?

How Can They Live Without Jesus – Keith Green

How can they live without Jesus

How can live without God's love

How can they feel so at home down here

When there's so much more up above

Throwin' away the things that matter

They hold on to things that don't

The world has gone crazy

But soon maybe a lot more are gonna know

For maybe they don't understand it

Or maybe they just haven't heard

Or maybe we're not doin' all we can

Living up to His holy word

'Cause phonies have come and wrongs been done

Even killing in Jesus name

And if you've been burned here's what I've learned

The Lord's not the one to blame

For He's not just a religion

With steeples and bells

Or a salesman who will sell you

The things you just want to hear

For His love was such

That he suffered so much

To cause some of us

Just to follow, follow, oh

So many laughing at Jesus

While the funniest thing that He's done

Is love this whole stubborn rebellious world

While their hate for Him just goes on

And love just like that

Will bring him back

For the few He can call His friends

The ones He's found true who've made it through

Enduring until the end

The ones He's found true who've made it through

Enduring until the end

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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My King – He Supplies Strength

Greetings Dear Reader,

Perhaps one of the greatest lessons I have learned is that I cannot do most things on my own.  I have learned that I need help.  I will do my best but I cannot do most things without support of some kind. 

This is a simple concept.  We all need help.  We all need the support of others.  My King supplies strength.  He promises to work in us not only to help us do well but to give us the will to do well. 

We are not alone.  We do not have to make it on own.  In fact, we cannot make it without help.  Pride and fear keep us from admitting that we have this need.  We do not want to need help.  We do not want to need full stop.  Instead we want to be on our own on our terms.

My King does not just supply strength.  He supplies all of our need according to his ability to provide.  He wants to give us all good things and as mentioned earlier there is no limit to his ability to do so.

What he wants is for us to depend on that supply.  He wants us to focus on love and kindness.  He wants me to be good to others and live the Gospel.  He wants me to love him and love others and let him take care of the rest.  Everything else is founded on these two things.  That’s my King.

He’ll Take Care of the Rest – Keith Green

 You know it ain't no use in banging your head

Up against that cold stone wall

'Cause nobody's perfect, except for the Lord

And even the best bound to fall

Remember He is the vine and you are the branch

He'd love to get you through it and if you'd give Him a chance

Just keep doing your best and pray that it's blessed

And Jesus takes care of the rest

Yes the Lord said that, "He'll take care of the rest", He's gonna do it

Where He'll take care of the rest, He'll see you through it, yeah

Where He'll take care of the rest, the devil blew it

Where He'll take care of the, He'll take care of the rest

Just think about Moses, in front of the burning bush

Barefoot on the holy ground

You know, he must have been thinking

Hey what's an old dude like me gonna tell 'em all

When I go down, go down Moses

The Lord said, "Hey Moe

Don't you worry about you going down south

I'll be saying every word that comes out of your mouth

You just keep doing your best and pray that it's blessed

Hey Moe, I'll take care of the rest"

Yes the Lord said that

"He'll take care of the rest", He's gonna do it

Where He'll take care of the rest, He'll see you through it, yeah

Where He'll take care of the rest, oh, Pharaoh blew it

He'll take care of the, He'll take care of the rest

Just believe and you'll receive, that comfort you need

You just think about all those lonely people you know

They've got everything they want, but they got empty souls

Well, He'll take care of the, He'll take care of the

He'll take care of the, care of the rest

You just think about Noah, toting his umbrella

When there wasn't a cloud in the sky

All his neighbors would laugh at his pet giraffe

And they would snicker as he'd passed by

But the Lord said, "Hey Noah

Be cool, you just keep building that boat

It's just a matter of time till they see who's gonna float

You just keep doing your best, and pray that it's blessed

Hey Noah, I'll take care of the rest, I'm the weatherman"

The Lord said that

"He'll take care of the rest", He's gonna do it

He'll take care of the rest, He'll see you through it, yeah

Where He'll take care of the rest, his neighbors blew it

He'll take care of the, He'll take care of the

He'll take care of the rest, he's gonna do it

He's gonna do it yeah

He'll take care of the rest

Only Jesus can see you through it

He'll take care of the rest

Yes, yes, yes

He'll take care of the, He'll take care of the

He'll take care of the rest

You better believe it

He'll take care of the rest

Only the pure at heart receive it

He'll take care of the rest

Yes, yes, yes

He'll take care of the, he'll take care of the

He'll take care of the rest

Hallelujah

He'll take care of the rest

Only Jesus can give it to you

He'll take care of the rest

He'll take care of the rest

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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My King – Unparalleled

Greetings Dear Reader,

We tend to compare things.  Before I cemented my faith in Christ I did a vast comparison to other faiths.  I read what they said about themselves.  The unparalleled difference that I found is that God does not require us to earn our redemption.  In fact, it is clear that we cannot earn it.

Evolving out of a world where everything up to and including human sacrifice was employed in an attempt to appease a deity, Judaism and eventually Christianity required faith for redemption.  The Old Testament law was not a tool for salvation but, rather, a teacher to show us that we could not merit redemption through our own efforts. 

To further evidence his unique approach to us God becomes incarnate.  He journeys to us to do what we cannot.  He becomes like us so that he can die for us.  There is no one like him.  He is unparalleled in his love, power, and sacrifice.  Everything about following Christ compels us to love and sacrifice as well. 

We are to love our enemies and pray for those who show malicious hatred toward us.  Being generous is required of us by this God.  Caring for those in need is part of our mission.  Promoting peace even at the cost of our own lives is to be who we are.  We fail at this.  We are poor examples.  That is all the more reason to see Jesus for who he really is.

We fail but Christ does not.  He has no equal in his desire for us to be whole and his.  He has no parallel in the length he goes for our reclamation.  He has no competitor in his love for us.  More words have been written about Jesus than anyone in the history of the world.  He only wants one thing.  He wants to make all things “good” again.  That’s my King.

To the Mystery – Michael Card

When the Father longed to show

A love He wanted us to know

He sent His only Son and so

Became a holy embryo

That is the mystery

More than you can see

Give up on your pondering

And fall down on your knees

A fiction as fantastic and wild

A mother made by her own child

A hopeless babe who cried

"Was God Incarnate and man deified?"

That is the mystery

More than you can see

Give up on your pondering

And fall down on your knees

Because the fall did devastate

Creator must now recreate

So to take our sin

Was made like us so we could be like Him

That is the mystery

More than you can see

Give up on your pondering

And fall down on your knees

Oh that is the mystery

More than you can see

Give up on your pondering

And fall down on your knees

Oh that is the mystery

More than you can see

Give up on your pondering

And fall down on your knees

Oh that is the mystery

More than you can see

Give up on your pondering

And fall down on your knees

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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