Rock Salt and Lava Lamps – Closing Thoughts

Greetings Dear Reader,

When Jesus told us we are to be salt and light it was no small thing.  All human life is dependent upon salt for sustenance.  In Genesis the first act of creation is light.  What it means for me is my focus.

I must assure that I sustain life.  I must illuminate and preserve.  It is in the steps of humility and love that my effectiveness lies.  I can provide warmth and guidance if I do so in the proper way. 

We bear the light of Christ.  We are to bring cleansing, flavor, and healing as salt.  We are to preserve and protect.  I can only follow Christ if I do these things.  I can only be certain that I am following if I work to be salt and light.

I must not lose my savor.  I must not hide my light.  I must do whatever it takes to be the salt and light Christ requires of me.  The other thing that I must carry is that Christ’s statements about this imply that this is my state of being.   They do not tell me to become light and salt.  They tell me that I am light and salt.  I am the salt of the earth.  I am the light of the world.  I need to assure that I act like it.  I need to be what I already am.  Anything else is foolish pretense. 

Bearers of the Light – Michael Card

The Light we must bear

Is the Light we must share

Is the Light that illumines the darkness

The promises kept

Give us strength to accept

This burden of bearing the Light

He will walk beside us

A strong friend, Barnabas

He will be that sure shoulder to lean on

The promise we share

Is our burdens to bear

And our Light tells the darkness to be gone

He will come after me

A young Timothy

Looking for someone to guide him

I will kindle his Light

Make him strong for the fight

I will promise to be there beside him

And so we must claim

By His powerful Name

The Promise the Bible has spoken

We must understand

That a cord of three strands

Cannot be easily broken

The great need of a all

A true mentor, a Paul

Who has traveled the road that's before us

He has made good the pledge

To tale the Light on ahead

We can follow his footsteps before us

The Light we must bear

Is the Light we must share

Is the Light that illumines the darkness

The promises kept give us strength to accept

This burden of bearing the Light

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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Rock Salt and Lava Lamps – Strike Anywhere Matches

Greetings Dear Reader,

I have had a lifelong love of strike anywhere matches.  My Grandfather kept them on hand to light his furnace.  He kept wax coated ones in his fishing tackle for melting line ties.  I learned to make match rockets from them in elementary school.  Perhaps this is the very best use of matches in the history of matches. 

For the curious and mischievous out there here are links to both simple match rockets and complex ones.  For my young readers please do this with a RESPONSIBLE adult.  I will say that if NASA teaches one how to do something, it must be OK to do it.  Please do not do this indoors.  That is just a bad idea.  If you make them please share your experience with me.

I also keep strike anywhere matches in my home.  I light the candle that is part of my morning devotional time with them.  I keep them in the kitchen, the bathroom, and my office.  I have at various times struck them on odd surfaces just to see if I can strike them there.  They do truly strike almost anywhere.

I realize that the fire of Christ in me must be ready to kindle in any situation.  I must be ready when it is convenient and when it is not.  I must kindle in the moment to be the light that Christ requires of me.  Any situation is the right situation to be loving, kind, and good.  I am required to be this. 

It does not mean that I inject “holy talk” into every environment.  It means that no matter the environment or the situation my light must humbly represent the Light of the World.  I must come to life to be a reflection of who Christ is in any circumstance.  The Jesus is willing to use me for this purpose baffles me.  It also is the way of things so I must follow. 

I must also remember that matches are dangerous.  Misused and abused matches can burn me and can burn others.  I must not kindle in a way that causes harm or damages others.  After all matches are only good if they are used for good.

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 ͡°)

Rock Salt and Lava Lamps – Safe Illumination

Greetings Dear Reader,

Light provides safety in many ways.  Whether it is keeping us from stumbling in the dark or illuminating our way as we drive at night, light is vital.  It is the light that provides a way to see.  The purpose of the light is to allow us to avoid obstacles.

Apostle Islands Light House - Mark Weller
John Rummel, and Ian Weller

I do not want to put too fine a point on the obvious but as a Christ follower this is one of the ways that I am to be light.  I am to create safety for others.  I am to be a light in the fog.  I am to do my part to help others avoid danger, pitfalls, and obstacles.

In the darkness it is light that draws us.  It is me being a loving, safe beacon that can draw others to Christ.  This is required of me.  In the fulfilling of that requirement I can also become more enlightened.  I can see further as I become more of a light for others.  I must follow, bear, and be the light.

I must serve humbly as a caution, a warning, or an encouragement that the way ahead is safe.  It is by example, humility, and genuineness that I can be this light.  Lights do not speak.  They do their duty and burn.

Traffic Light Exposure -
Lucas Zimmerman

What I Am - Edie Brickell & New Bohemians

I'm not aware of too many things

I know what I know if you know what I mean

Philosophy, is the talk on a cereal box

Religion, is a smile on a dog

I'm not aware of too many things

i know what I know if you know what I mean

Chuck me in the shallow water

Before I get too deep

What I am is what I am are you what you are or what

What I am is what I am are you what you are or what

Oh I'm not aware of too many things

I know what I know if you know what I mean

Philosophy, is a walk on the slippery rocks

Religion, is a light in the fog

I'm not aware of too many things

I know what I know if you know what I mean

Do do ya

Chuck me in the shallow water

Before I get too deep

Chuck me in the shallow water

Before I get too deep

What I am is what I am are you what you are or what

What I am is what I am are you what you are or what

What I am is what I am are you what you are or what you are

What I am is what I am are you what you are or what

Da da da da

I say I say I say I do hey hey hey hey hey hey

Chuck me in the shallow water

Before I get too deep

Chuck me in the shallow water

Before I get too deep

Chuck me in the shallow water before I get too deep

Chuck me in the shallow water before I get too deep

Chuck me in the shallow water before I get too deep

Don't let me get too deep

Don't let me get too deep

Don't let me get too deep

Don't let me get too deep

What I am is what I am are you what you are or what

What I am is what I am are you what you are or what

What I am is what I am are you what you are or what you are

What I am is what I am are you what you are or what

Or what you are oh

Or what you are oh oh oh

Say what I am

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 ͡°)

Rock Salt and Lava Lamps – The Nature of Light

Greetings Dear Reader,

I have only been in total darkness a handful of times.  A few times I have been in caves.  Where I used to teach there was a professional dark room for photography.  As humans we are rarely in complete darkness.  There is  a true sense of disorientation in total darkness. 

The nature of light is that the darker it is the less light is necessary to cause stark contrast.  Some of us fear the dark.  I have never met someone who fears light.  It is light that draws us.  It is light in which most of us labor. 

A single match struck in the darkness of a moonless night can be seen from a mile away.  That is the nature of light.  Light draws us.  I am to draw people.  Light makes us feel safe.  I am supposed to make others feel safe.  As we look at the light aspect of this time together we need to remember that the light that we bear is not our own. 

Light of the World – Michael Card

  

You are the Light of the World oh Lord

You make Your servants shine

So how could there be any darkness in me

If You are the Light of the World

You are the Light of the World

You are the Bread of Life oh Lord

Broken to set us free

So how could there be any hunger in me

If You are the Bread of Life

You are the Bread of Life

You've overcome the world oh Lord

And given us victory

So how could I fear when trouble is near

If You've overcome the world

You've overcome the world

Wipe every tear away oh Lord

And teach us the song of the Lamb

The promise is true but it's still up to You

To wipe every tear away

Wipe every tear away

Wipe every tear away

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 ͡°)

Rock Salt and Lava Lamps - Flavor

Greetings Dear Reader,

The thing that most people think of when salt is in the conversation is food.  We use it to enhance flavor or in some cases to mask it.  One of my passions is cooking.  In the right proportions salt can bring out the richness and sparkle of other flavours.  It can balance out sweetness or acidic tones. 

Too much salt can ruin food.  The flavor becomes overbearing.  Once too much salt is in the food it cannot be taken out.  It is the proper insertion of salt, with care and control that makes the dish.  The salt is not the star, the food it seasons is.

Again the parallel is obvious.  If I am to be salt in the lives of others it is not I that should be the star of the show.  I must add flavor and balance out the sweet and the bitter.  I must only be present in enough quantity to add to the experience of Christ and not to overshadow it.

When I assure that I am an additive and wear the humble role the salt wears I can make a difference.  This is assuredly a challenge for me.  I have been told that I “fill up a room.”  I have also been called arrogant and self-absorbed.  It would be dishonest to say that these things are never true. 

I must assure that my role is to add flavor to life that makes Christ desirable.  The only way I succeed at that is through love and kindness.  My generosity must not be in presenting myself but in letting others savor who Christ is without overshadowing the gospel.  He must increase and I must decrease. 

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 ͡°)

Rock Salt and Lava Lamps - Preservative

Greetings Dear Reader,

Few people in the culture in which I live eat salted meats.  I have had salt cured ham and must stay it is not my favorite.  The time has passed in our culture where salt cured meats are necessary.

Still the salting of meat and fish in dry salt or brine is an acceptable way to inhibit the growth of microorganisms.  For millennia we have used salt to cure food for times and circumstances where other forms of food are not available.

As a Christ follower I am to be one that preserves things.  I am to sustain.  I am to assure that future needs can be met.  I am to preserve faith, love, and hope for others.  I am to assure that when times are hard that there is substance of the spiritual nature available to others.

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 ͡°)

Rock Salt and Lava Lamps – Sustaining Life

Greetings Dear Reader,

In the first season of Star Trek an episode, The Man Trap featured a salt vampire.  The creature literally sucked the salt from its victims killing them.  I was quite impressionable then at age six.  I quit using salt on my food and still rarely do to this day.

M-113 Creature

It was also when I learned that salt sustains life.  The debate continues about how much salt we need.  We can debate the levels but it is still true that human need salt to live.  Our blood, nervous system, and kidneys are just a few of the places in us where salt plays a vital role.

During my youth when I would participate in sports or other activities that cause high perspiration I learned that I did not retain salt and had to take salt tablets.  Without the right levels of salt my body would try to shut down in order to stop me from sweating out all the salt.  Again, the evidence was obvious that salt is necessary to sustain life and functionality.

When Jesus says we are to be the salt of the earth it makes me wonder just how far our duty to sustain life extends.  We live in a death based ecosystem.  This means that some levels of death are necessary to life.  It is necessary for seeds to go into the ground and die for plants to grow.  We take animal life to obtain meat. 

As a Christ follower all human life must be precious to me.  I must also respect all animal life.  This does not mean that I may not eat meat.  Christ made it clear that consuming meat was allowable.  That does not limit my responsibility to assure that what I consume is obtained in honorable ways.

I am also responsible to work to sustain life in others.  Every life must matter to me.  Whether it is the life of an enemy or an unborn baby I am to treat all life as precious.  I am not always sure how to work this our practically but I must see all life as worthy of sustenance and respect.

If I am to follow Christ then I need to embrace his view of the sacredness of life.  “Take up your cross and follow me” is part of being “the salt of the earth.”  My life must be about helping to create life from death in a world so marked and marred by death.

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 ͡°)

Rock Salt and Lava Lamps - Healing

Greetings Dear Reader,

Used properly salt can be an effective cleansing agent.   Modern medicine still uses sterile saline solution to cleanse wounds.  For centuries salt was used in wounds to sterilize and begin the healing process.  Internally saline solution is used as a remedy for some gastro intestinal issues. It can also shrink the sinuses and promote easier breathing.

In the time when Jesus was on earth salt was prized for its healing properties.   In that context it was a vital tool to prevent infection and promote healing.   Salt, so valuable and expensive in that era could save lives.  The application hurt and could cause agony if not properly used. 

As a follower of Christ I am to promote cleansing and healing from wounds.  I am to be a source of stopping infection in the lives of others.  Sometimes this will cause discomfort but I must be as gentle as possible.  I will never be the perfect solution for healing.  That is Christ.  If, however, I work to promote healing perhaps I can help others breathe a little easier.

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 ͡°)

Rock Salt and Lava Lamps – First Thoughts

Greetings Dear Reader,

I buy rock salt by the fifty pound bag.  I use it for my water softener and for my front stoop to melt snow and ice.  I go through about fifteen bags a year.  That is 750 pounds of salt per year.  Even though salt is vital to life we take it for granted.  It is cheap and easy to acquire in our current system of commerce.

I have heard for years that Roman soldiers were paid in salt.  The first reference I can find for this is that of Pliny the Elder writing in the first century AD.  The etymology of both salary and salad are traceable to salt.  The mineral I throw on my driveway has been the essence of life, payment, and even wars in the past.

The historical context is important to understanding my role as a Christ follower.  In the same way that role is defined by something else the modern world takes for granted.  I summon light with the flick of a switch or an application on my phone.   Just last night I was at an excellent restaurant where the light was too dim for me to read the menu.  I simply touched a virtual button on the screen of my phone and the flash on the camera in the phone illuminated the menu for me.

With matches, candles, LED lights, and common lamps I can summon light into the darkness at will.  In context of the plentiful presence of salt and light what does it mean to be salt and light in the world?  Jesus refers to savorless salt and hidden light.  I must consider this as well. 

My journey is impossible without salt and light.  Life is impossible without it.  This is the metaphor for what I am supposed to be as a Christ follower.  How then am I to be it?  By looking at the value of salt and light in context of Christ’s comments it may further illuminate my understanding and give me a better taste of what I am to be. 

Sit by the fire with me for a moment as I ponder this part of the journey.  It could make for some savory conversation.

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 ͡°)