I AM – Closing Thought - And They All Fell Down

Greetings Dear Reader,

Jesus knew everything that was going to happen to him. So he went to meet them and asked, "Who are you looking for?" They answered him, "Jesus from Nazareth." Jesus told them, "I AM." Judas, who handed him over, was standing with the crowd.  When Jesus told them, "I AM," the crowd backed away and fell to the ground.

Try to imagine this moment with me Dear Reader.  Soldiers and Priests come with Judas to the garden.  They are there to arrest Jesus.  Instead of just Jesus they find the other apostles, the women who were with them, and Jesus.  Judas points out which one is Jesus with a kiss. 

Jesus asks who they seek, already knowing what it next.  The soldiers and priests need their skulduggery to have a semblance of propriety.  They announce that they seek Jesus of Nazareth.  Jesus does the honest thing.   He announces who he is.

In that moment of self-revelation something happens.  In that moment he leaves no doubt as to who he is.  In the time it takes to speak two words (only one in Hebrew) and in fact only two syllables he gives them a glimpse.   Jesus speaks, “I AM”.   He speaks the name that was given Moses on the mountain.  He speaks the very essence of the Creator.

For a single moment they are confronted with the very presence of God in the form of a rustic carpenter.  The Avatar lifts the veil and the humans fall down.  He could have wiped them out then and there with a thought.  He could have demanded that they see him for who he is. 

Instead he heals an enemy that is wounded by a friend.  He continues to love the man who handed him over.  He gives a brief opportunity for them to see him and believe. Then he walks away with them to die.  The eternal present heads into the future to fulfill all the things he claims to be and to redeem us to eternity out of time.

This is the I AM that I follow.  You should get to know him Dear Reader.

God’s Own Fool – Michael Card

Seems I've imagined Him all of my life

As the wisest of all of mankind

But if God's Holy wisdom is foolish to men

He must have seemed out of His mind

For even His family said He was mad

And the priests said a demon's to blame

But God in the form of this angry young man

Could not have seemed perfectly sane

When we in our foolishness thought we were wise

He played the fool and He opened our eyes

When we in our weakness believed we were strong

He became helpless to show we were wrong

And so we follow God's own fool

For only the foolish can tell-

Believe the unbelievable

And come be a fool as well

So come lose your life for a carpenter's son

For a madman who died for a dream

And you'll have the faith His first followers had

And you'll feel the weight of the beam

So surrender the hunger to say you must know

Have the courage to say I believe

For the power of paradox opens your eyes

And blinds those who say they can see

When we in our foolishness thought we were wise

He played the fool and He opened our eyes

When we in our weakness believed we were strong

He became helpless to show we were wrong

And so we follow God's own fool

For only the foolish can tell-

Believe the unbelievable

And come be a fool as well

So we follow God's own Fool

For only the foolish can tell

Believe the unbelievable,

And come be a fool as 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.”

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I AM – The Vine

Greetings Dear Reader,

"I am the vine. You are the branches. Those who live in me while I live in them will produce a lot of fruit. But you can't produce anything without me.”

The great truth here is that we are an extension of Christ in the world.  It is mutual.  We are in Christ and he is in us growing our effectiveness.  As we follow and draw closer we become more a reflection of what he offers the world. 

It is the connected nature of the life in Christ that matters.  It is about unity and growth and infinite diversity all living in harmony.  It is harmonization of effort to bring the world back to good. 

An aspect of this that drives me is that the branch cannot survive disconnected from the vine.  From the vine it draws its sustenance to produce fruit.  From the vine it finds the strength to grow, flower, and produce.  It is our duty to grow and reproduce.  It is my obligation to be an extension of Christ making life.

We are bound to Christ and that is where we should be.  It is in him that we find life and the power to extend it through him.

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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I AM - The Way, the Truth, and the Life - Life

Greetings Dear Reader,

Just a few days ago we pondered life relative to the Resurrection.  What I also consider here is the value of all life.  I often feel that life is valued less in the world.  We devalue life I so many ways. 

We have turned life into a disposable thing.  We dispose of it in the name of rights and choice.  We take for the sake of economy and oil.  We turn a blind eye to massacres in unimportant parts of the world.  We allow people to starve when our larders are full.

So much of what we do involves life and whether or not it has quality.  It is humans that matter.  We must care for the rest of life in the world but we must not lose the value of every human life that draws breath.  It is in this that we gain the opportunity to show the truth and the way.

Jesus came to give life.  We are the ones who deal so readily in death.  Even if we are passive we contribute to the loss of respect for life.  We must be constantly at war with death.  We must fight for life in every aspect.  We must make a way for others to live.  It is what we are called to do as followers.

Life is the first gift that the Father gives.  When we do not value it we do not value the Father.  The way and the truth are to follow Christ in seeking to support, protect, and enhance life.  If I hope to follow well I must be sure to do this.

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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I AM - The Way, the Truth, and the Life - Truth

Greetings Dear Reader,

One of the things that a passing view of Jesus neglects is that he clearly claims to be God.  In this particular instance he claims to be “…the truth.”   This word is such an elusive thing in a broken world. 

Jesus is telling us he is objective truth.  He is what is true in any matter under consideration.  He is in truth and according to truth what is true.  He is reality, fact, and certainty.  He is the fulcrum of truth in things pertaining to God, the duty of man, and matters of faith. 

The God/man, in the greatest latitude offers us true notions of God.  He demonstrates who he is both through supernatural works and practical living of the Father’s commands.  When we deny him we deny truth. 

Pilate asked him the profound question, “What is truth?”  Unfortunately he did not wait to hear the answer.  He did not really listen to the words that prompted the question.  Jesus made it clear that those who seek the truth hear his voice. 

Our culture sees truth as a malleable thing.  I cannot avoid Christ and find the truth.  It is in following Christ that I follow truth.  It is in him that the answers are found.  He is the truth and does not need our agreement for it to be so.  It is thus with all truth.  If we seek the truth with integrity we will find it in him.

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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I AM – The Way, the Truth, and the Life - Way

Greetings Dear Reader,

“Jesus answered him, ‘I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one goes to the Father except through me.’”

Thomas has just expressed his anxiety that he does not know the way to the Father’s kingdom.  Were the kingdom something that could be earned or merited Jesus has prime opportunity to say so.  Instead he makes it clear that he is the way.

Once again I realize it is not popular to say this but Jesus says that no one comes to the Father except through him.  A friend once flippantly expressed this question, “What if I do not want to get to the Father?””  I will never be a “hell-fire and brimstone” person.  Instead I see that Jesus does not force people to accept him. 

It seems that if one does not follow Christ then he will not demand that one to be with him.  He gives us what we desire.  He does not promise satisfaction in this but makes it clear that through him is the way to the Father.  It is the way to all that the Father offers.

It is popular to say that all faiths are the same.  It is dishonest to say that Jesus does not say he is the only way.  We cannot water this down and be honest.  We must also say it with humility.  It is not a weapon.  It is a humble offer to provide a way out of the fallenness of the world. 

John will write later that if we say we are not fallen that we lie and that we do not know the truth.  That is what we will ponder tomorrow.  Today I must assure that my following is only focused on Jesus. 

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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I AM - The Resurrection and the Life - Life

Greetings Dear Reader,

I did not plan for this writing to occur on Mother’s Day but here it is.  All human life flows from the Father through mothers.  As with all things human there is joy and sorrow in having children.  But as is designed all of our lives begin with a mother.

It is life that matters.  It is to have life that is abundant that we seek.  Jesus claims to be that life.  In that life is freedom.  In that life is the answer to everything.  I realize that sounds puerile but simplicity does not mean it is not true.

Paul writes that “in him (Jesus) we live and move and have our being.”  All life proceeds from God whether we acknowledge it or not.  Jesus offers to give this life to anyone who will accept it.  Troubles do not disappear nor do all the answers appear when we embrace Christ. 

It is in this life in Christ that we find hope and sustenance.  It is in the following that I find my way.  I have seen life without Christ and feel so much sorrow for those who choose it.  This is not judgment or condemnation.  It is compassion.

The God/man from whom all life proceeds calls all life back to himself.  It is in that call that we find the life of following.  It is in Christ alone that life has breath and breadth.  This narrow way gives life infinite possibilities. 

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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I AM – The Resurrection and the Life - Resurrection

Greetings Dear Reader,

“I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will live, even though he dies; and whoever lives and believes in me will never die.”

One of the ongoing arguments about Jesus is the resurrection.  Richard Swinburne has an excellent work The Resurrection of God Incarnate that addresses the subject much better than I could.  You can also hear his recitation on the Probability of the Resurrection well worth the hour to listen to it.

Beyond his own resurrection Jesus explains that he is the conduit for our own resurrection.  My daily hope is that Christ will return in the moment.  I believe and hope but I also plan in case he does not.  If I shuffle off this mortal coil before he returns Jesus is my conduit to resurrection.  He is the promise and first evidence that I will stand before the Father.

Job, the oldest record we have of human interaction with God, says that he knows he will see God in the flesh even if his body is no more.  There will be a resurrection.  Some do not believe this and I feel sad for them.

Even if my journey in following ends before I catch up with Jesus, I will be like the people of Israel leaving Egypt.  All their illnesses were cured.  They were renewed for the journey.  When I head to that Undiscovered Country it will be with a new body free from the scars and infirmities of the journey home.

It is through Jesus that we are assured and obtain this.  It is in following Christ, even in death if necessary, that we find our path to the resurrection and a new and good creation. Some days the journey is dark and lonely.  But I know what Job knew.   Thinking on it thrills my soul.

Home Where I Belong – Pat Terry

They say that heaven's pretty

And living here is too

But if they said that I

would have to choose between the two

I'd go home, going home, where I belong

And sometimes when I'm dreaming

It comes as no surprise

That if you look and see

The homesick feeling in my eyes

I'm going home, going home, where I belong

While I'm here I'll serve him gladly

And sing him all my songs

I'm here, but not for long

And when I'm feeling lonely

And when I'm feeling blue

It's such a joy to know that

I am only passing through

I'm headed home, going home, where I belong

And one day I'll be sleeping,

When death knocks on my door

And I'll awake and find that

I'm not homesick anymore

I'll be home, going home, where I belong

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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I AM – The Good Shepherd

Greetings Dear Reader,

Yesterday we saw how Jesus claimed to be the sheep gate by which we enter.  We saw how the shepherd became that gate at night for the sheep.  Jesus goes on to say,

“I am the good shepherd.  The good shepherd lays down his life for his sheep. The hired hand is not the shepherd and does not own the sheep. So when he sees the wolf coming, he abandons the sheep and runs away. Then the wolf attacks the flock and scatters it. The man runs away because he is a hired hand and cares nothing for the sheep.  I am the good shepherd; I know my sheep and my sheep know me just as the Father knows me and I know the Father—and I lay down my life for the sheep. I have other sheep that are not of this sheep pen. I must bring them also. They too will listen to my voice, and there shall be one flock and one shepherd. The reason my Father loves me is that I lay down my life—only to take it up again. No one takes it from me, but I lay it down of my own accord. I have authority to lay it down and authority to take it up again. This command I received from my Father.”

It is David who first makes us understand that the Lord is our shepherd.  I could not say it much better than the twenty-third Psalm.  Still the understanding is necessary to the application.  What is it that the Good Shepherd provides for us?

• He lays down his life for us.  He is not some hired hand who abandons us in times of danger. 
• We are known far better than we know ourselves.
• We know the Shepherd’s voice.
• The Good Shepherd promises to bring all flocks home safely.
• The Good Shepherd promises to unite the flocks so they are one.
• The Good Shepherd knows he will die and rise again.
• He unites us with the Father.

The Shepherd I follow is all these things for me and for all who follow him.  He is one through whom I gain access to the Father and the one who protects me from danger.  He died for me and lives for me.  He loves me the same way the Father loves him.  It is the in this security that I follow. 

Even in those times when I feel like a lost wanderer and alone in the journey I have the promise of a Shepherd who leads me.   He restores me.  He sustains me.  Even in the darkest moments he comforts me.  At the end of the day, the year, and the life I still dwell with him and cannot be stolen from him.

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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I AM – The Gate

Greetings Dear Reader,

John 8:7-10 “Very truly I tell you, I am the gate for the sheep. 8 All who have come before me are thieves and robbers, but the sheep have not listened to them. 9 I am the gate; whoever enters through me will be saved. They will come in and go out, and find pasture. 10 The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.”’

In the first century when a shepherd penned in his sheep for the night he slept in the opening to the pen.  He became the gate that kept the sheep in place.  He served as the protection from things outside and reassurance for the sheep inside.

We get into one of the hard things about follow Christ.  This is one of times where Jesus is explaining his purpose.  Jesus is the gate to the Father.  He is here to bring us abundant life.  He is here to be our access to the Father. 

We get to our time with the Father and our sustenance through Christ.  We come and go in our daily lives by his grace and provision.  Jesus is the gate through which we enter all of this.

In an era where we are encouraged to coexist and be tolerant of other faiths we see that Jesus claims to be the gate through which we must enter.  This claim will become clearer later.  I know it is arrogant and raises many questions.  It is, however, clear that Jesus claims to be the path to the Father.  He claims to be the gate. 

As a follower of Christ I cannot deny this and be honest.  I also cannot deny that Christ’s followers often do a poor job of reflecting the necessary humility in this arrogance.  In fact we fail to show the necessary humility in most things.  If I have the only answer then I must live it and earn the right to speak it.

To do anything else is to harm the message I carry.  I will fail and fall.  I must learn and rise.  I will not always understand so I must abide in faith.  It is in following closely that I can find rest when it is time inside the sanctuary where Christ is the gate.

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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I AM – Light of the World and the Southern Cross

Greetings Dear Reader,

As most of you know I plan the facets of my writing on a topic in advance.  Some are obvious to me at the outset and some less so.  I was speaking with my friend Dwight yesterday about fresh bread (as referenced in yesterday’s discourse).  The conversation turned to other things we remember and one of them was the Southern Cross.

I have written about this beautiful constellation before (see the link above).   And it is one of the things that puts me in mind of Jesus’ claim to be the light of the world.  I am also reminded that my first word was light as was my eldest Son’s.  This is uncommon.  I realize that may sound a bit disjointed but it leads to my thoughts on light and Jesus as the Light.

John finds this important as he writes about Jesus.  The relationship between humans and light is a vital one.  We seek light.  We are not naturally nocturnal.  That is when most of us sleep.  We create artificial light whenever possible.  We are as a species drawn to light.

Jesus best friend refers to Jesus as the light that shines in the darkness yet is not comprehended by the darkness.  I see so much of the darkness against which I struggle as a lack of comprehension of the light.  I am supposed to be “the light of the world.”  I often find, however, that I am unsure how to shine. 

I think about how many times I have fallen.  I wonder if the Spirit is using me.  I try to listen to the larger voice that calls me.  I think about the Southern Cross and renew my resolve to be better light and less dark.  I then remember that dark can only be understood as the absence of light. 

Life for me is either the presence of Christ or the absence of him.  Since he is always there it comes to my recognition of it.  If I am to follow the light of the world then I have to keep my eyes open.  After all once I know that the Light is there I can only avoid it if I close my eyes.  If I do not see the light and follow it then it is because I have chosen not to do so. 

So many things try to make me forget about the love of Christ.  So many things entice me to never fail to fail.  So much darkness wants to gain my attention over the light.  Something fine wants to come along and forget about loving Jesus, and the Southern Cross. 

Southern Cross – Crosby, Stills, Nash, and Young

Got out of town on a boat to the Southern islands

Sailing a reach before a following' sea

She was making' for the trades on the outside

And the downhill run to Pipette

Off the wind on this heading lie the Marquesas

We got eighty feet of the waterline nicely making way

In a noisy bar in Avalon I tried to call you

But on a midnight watch I realized why twice you ran away

Think about how many times I have fallen

Spirits are using me; larger voices calling'

What Heaven brought you and me cannot be forgotten

(Around the world) I have been around the world

(Looking') Looking' for that woman, girl

(Who knows she knows) Who knows love can endure

And you know it will

When you see the Southern Cross for the first time

You understand now why you came this way

'Cause the truth you might be runnin' from is so small

But it's as big as the promise, the promise of a coming' day

So I'm sailing for tomorrow my dreams are a dying'

And my love is an anchor tied to you tied with a silver chain

I have my ship and all her flags are a' flying'

She is all that I have left and music is her name

Think about

Think about how many times I have fallen

Spirits are using me larger voices calling'

What Heaven brought you and me cannot be forgotten

(I've been around the world) I have been around the world

(Looking') Looking' for that woman girl

Who knows love can endure

And you know it will, and you know it will yes

Oooh...

So we cheated and we lied and we tested

And we never failed to fail it was the easiest thing to do

You will survive being bested

Somebody fine will come along make me forget about loving you

And the southern cross

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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I AM – The Bread of Life

Greetings Dear Reader,

Then Jesus declared, “I am the bread of life. He who comes to me will never go hungry, and he who believes in me will never be thirsty. (John 6:35)

I used to live near a bakery.  In the morning the aroma of fresh baked bread would dance upon the wind to my home.  As I would exit to make my way to work each day that aroma would visit a euphoric feeling upon me even when my mood was dark or brooding.  There is something about fresh bread that touches us deep within.

We live in a world where hunger is still a constant problem.  From the Mana in Exodus to the Passover Supper before the crucifixion bread plays a vital part in our understanding of who Jesus claims to be for us.  The people he addresses, having been part of the five thousand he fed, now ask for another miracle in order to believe.

Instead of taking offense at their arrogance he reminds that it was not Moses but the Father who provided the Mana every day for years.  He reminds them that all physical bread is temporary and spoils.  He then tells them that he is the Bread of Life. 

We all seek for signs when so many have already been given.  Throughout the history of the redemption story we are encouraged to devour who God is for us.  We are told to taste and see that the Lord is good.  The need for the Father and the Son is as basic as the need for bread.

Jesus asked us to ask the Father for daily bread.  We need to ask the Father for closeness to Christ daily.  We need to find daily sustenance in Christ.    I need to be satisfied with him as my daily portion for strength to follow.  It is when I dine on lesser things that I flag and fail.  Jesus claims to be that which can and will sustain me.  How can I be satisfied with lesser things?

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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I AM – Opening Thoughts

Greetings Dear Reader,

Most of you know that my heart in this writing is to follow Christ more closely.  I succeed and I fail.  I fall and I rise. I retreat and I advance.  It is after all a journey. 

Since my goal is to follow Christ I would spend some time refreshing my recollection of who Jesus claims to be.  His best friend, John documents the moments where Jesus makes statements about who he is.  These are called the I AM statements of Christ.

The reason this matters is that the Father gives us a name by which to call him when he is instructing Moses.  That name is “I AM”.   We follow the God who is.  He is a constant more than the northern star.  He is the ever present presence in the presence.

As I walk through my thoughts on these claims of Jesus I hope to find ways to follow more closely.  Since the Father and Son are one God it allows me to know them both better.  That is my desire.  I want to know them in the now.  I want to see Jesus as he claims to be and journey with him in every moment.

Please journey with me.  As always I value your thoughts and questions as well.  They will only help me follow more closely.

Know You in The Now – Michael Card

A light so many strain to see

The One we talk so much about

But rarely ever live it out

Could You tell me why

Was it for this You came and died

A once a week observance

When we coldly mouth Your words

Lord I long to see

Your presence in reality

But I don't know how

Let me know You in the now

We should confess

We lose You in our busyness

We've made You in our image

So our faith's idolatry

Lord, deliver me

Break my heart so I can see

All the ways You dwell in us

That You're alive in me

Lord I long to see

Your presence in reality

But I don't know how

Let me know You in the now

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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