Eight Ball Answers ~ Closing Thoughts

Greetings Dear Reader,

There is an episode of the Big Bang Theory where Sheldon decides that he will make all his choices based on a roll of the dice.  Obviously, this is foolish.  One who believes in chance should not let chance deicide if one should go to the bathroom now.

Then there is random selection when one does not have an answer and must have one.  My mind runs back and forth between using random selection or not deciding.  I have a process for deciding when I cannot choose and I must.  I do, however, find that I enter a very uncomfortable area.

What it always comes down to is the same affirmation and choice.  Everything I do must be done in faith that I am following Christ.  Every choice must be one of faith.  Every action must be taken as one of faith.  I must not seek for signs and portents.  I must seek counsel.  I must use wisdom.

If all of this does not give me an answer and I must act then I must allow the Father to choose for me.  “The lot is cast into the lap but every decision is from the Lord.”  I ponder over and over how assuring it is that there is no such thing as random chance.  There is nothing more important than acting in faith; good faith. 

I must exercise that in everything and not just the uncertain choices.  It is supposed to be a filter for all that I do.  I am supposed to journey by faith not sight.  I am required to use it even when the answers are obvious.  I want acting in faith to be the norm not the exception.  You may ask how that will turn out for me.  All that I can say is that I must do as I am told to do.  As for the resolution: I cannot predict 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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Eight Ball Answers ~ Twenty Answers

Greetings Dear Reader,

On the twenty faces of our icosahedral prognosticator we have a fifty percent chance of getting a positive answer.  The neutral and negative are divided between the other half equally.  When the ball is flipped, half the time the answer should be positive.

Here then is the quandary I consider.  I have a question.  I have had this question for ten years.  At least once a week I asked this question and flipped the Magic 8-Ball_®.  In each case the answer was one of the neutral answers. 

This is statically impossible so I tried a friend’s 8-Ball.  It also revealed a neutral answer on several attempts.  The mathematical impossibility grew with each attempt.  I only had a twenty-five percent chance of getting a neutral answer and yet it kept coming up a hundred percent of the time. 

I am not a seeker of signs and portents.  My faith is based belief not events or fleeces.  Still when I am at a crossroads do not know where to turn, I accept that there is no such thing as chance.  The book of Proverbs teaches us that “the lot is cast into the lap but every decision is from the Lord.” 

When it comes to the ball I must presume that the physics of this are controlled by the Father as he controls all things.  This sounds crazy but no crazier than dozens of neutral answers that should only occur twenty-five times out of a hundred. 

Things I Never Knew – Pat Terry

Lord I have a question that I haven’t found an answer for

Noting seems to make it go away

Your Book was strangely silent when I turned the pages in it

Though I thought you’d surely have a word to say

I have had this question for some time without an answer

There’s a different view in everything I’ve read

At times I thought I knew it but when it got down to it

It was just some words that someone else had said

If only I were with you when you walked down here among us

We could have talked it over face to face

Though I know you never left me all alone know I long to hear your voice

Hear your words, touch your face.

Oh one day you will come for me

I’ll kneel before you humbly

We’ll talk about the things I never knew

And all the things I couldn’t see

Will simply be explained to me

In words that could only come from you

Until that day I’m waiting here with upturned face and open ear

And if my questions never bring me truth

I’ll be satisfied to know

That when my time on earth’s no more

I’ll have eternity to talk with you.

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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Eight Ball Answers ~ Yes Definitely

Greetings Dear Reader,

The contrast between “Yes” and “Yes Definitely” may not be obvious.  Depending on one’s perspective the addition of definitely can be positive or negative.  In either case the addition is intended to dispel doubt.

People doubt for many reasons.  Sometimes it our past actions that cause doubt.  Sometimes it is their past experience that yields the same.  Still we want to dispel it when we make our yes definite. 

It is more important for me that no matter my past failings I establish an ongoing consistency of trust.  The simple answer of yes needs to be enough.  I cannot do anything about the doubts of others but love them and live the truth.  I cannot dispel the past.  I can only let my yes be yes and my no be no.

This is who I am commanded to be.  When I am not then I am not following Christ.  I cannot undo the wrong I have done.  I can live a life where love with integrity crushes the barriers I have helped create. 

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 ͡°)

Eight Ball Answers ~ Yes!

Greetings Dear Reader,

I think that our society has lost its understanding of this word.  We say it all the time.  This is the most simple and definitive positive affirmation of a question.  It is one syllable that is clear in meaning. 

“Will you take out the trash as you are leaving?” 

“Yes.”

One has just entered into a contract.  Then we equivocate.  We do so with words that follow the affirmation.  “Yes…(pause), unless there is green cheese in the bag.”   We make our unconditional affirmation conditional.   We leave ourselves a back door. 

We do this on small things or large things.   We say yes and then look for the loopholes.  We violate our commitment then justify with indignation and anger.  “I said yes but things changed.”

Saying yes is an exchange of power.  You have the power to say no right up until you say yes.  You can bring all the situational ethics into the question you wish but it is still your choice to say yes or no.  If you say yes you have an obligation.

I have failed at this. I have hurt others through this failure.  My obligation is to let my yes be yes.  There may be honest variables to consider.  If there are then I must not say yes.   I must use the if/then formula.  If it is not raining then I will come to the picnic.  We must be clean, clear, and honest in our communication.   I must be no matter what anyone else is.

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 ͡°)

Eight Ball Answers ~ Without A Doubt

Greetings Dear Reader,

Doubt is a curious thing.  It is one of those creatures that has power only given to it.  It does not live on its own.  It is born and lives in the mind.  It is completely subject to the will.

Faith comes very easy for me.  That does not mean that I do not doubt.  What it does mean; what it necessitates is that I deal with doubt honestly.  I musts acknowledge it when it tries to flicker to life.

I am sure this is one of the things that is meant by bringing every thought into captivity.  It is not wrong to have doubt.  I have spoken of this at length.  How I deal with it, however, can determine my entire future.

No one wakes up on a Thursday morning and abandons faith.  They start earlier by nursing the spark of doubt in the wrong way.  They entreat and nurture it until it becomes an all-consuming fire.  They find a focal point for the doubt and magnify it.  Thursday comes and faith has been added to the fire of doubt.

It is not wrong to doubt.  It is wrong to doubt in dishonesty.  Job makes it clear.  He points out that he will not charge God foolishly.  He will not doubt the goodness of God even amidst the ruin of his life, the loss of his children, and the damage to his health. 

I must let the spark rise from the fire if it tries.  I must also be ready to cling to faith that the Father is good.  The Son is worth following.  Faith is more powerful than all that I see.  Again my friend Job makes it clear, “even if he kills me, it will serve him…even if my body is turned to dust, I will se him in the flesh.”

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 ͡°)

Eight Ball Answers ~ It Is Certain

Greetings Dear Reader,

What do we mean when we say something is a certainty?  We assure people that we will do something or be somewhere.  We commit to an event, a time, or a place.  We commit to relationships or participation.

Then we back out.  We modify our minds.  Things change.  We decide that we want something different than that to which we have pledged a certainty.  That event, time, relationship becomes something to which we will not hold our certainty.

This is not how the Father deals with us.  If he says it is certain then it is certain.  There is not even a shadow of uncertainty.  We ascribe uncertainty to the Father because we are uncertain.  When we do not have all the answers we allow our uncertainty to be projected on others.

I cannot fault others when they are uncertain due to my failures in the past.  I must not, however, doubt the one I follow.  He has said it is certain that all things are under his care.  He has assured me that his promises to me will never fail. 

If I doubt it must be my uncertainty and not a false accusation that I cannot be certain about Christ and following him.  Doubt is not wrong.  Failure to distinguish between my uncertainty and the assurances of God is dangerous.  If I do not assure that my questions are founded on what is certain then I cannot use my faith whilst I sort out 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.”

(͡° ͜ʖ ͡°)

Eight Ball Answers ~ It Is Decidedly So

Greetings Dear Reader,

One of my favorite recurring lines from Star Trek: The Next Generation is when Captain Picard would say, “Make it so.”  It was his command of decision.  It meant that discussion was ended and there was work to be completed.  His crew was to transform the command to reality.

Sometimes the answers we give seem like more than yes because of the way in which we give them.  There is a confidence in this one that implies more than affirmation.  There is a timbre to it that communicates beyond certainty.

This answer implies that the thing is not just on the horizon but is complete.  If something is “so” it exists.  Instead of hoping we may have realization.  Instead of wondering what will be this answer assures that it is. 

I think that there are many things that do not yet exist that want to be so.  We count on them even if the outcome is uncertain.  We depend on them even if the odds are slim.  There are things that require faith and there are things that are accomplished.  I must assure that I do not confuse the two.

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 ͡°)

Eight Ball Answers ~ You May Rely On It

Greetings Dear Reader,

For those of you who are regular readers you know that when I write thoughts in a series I tackle an aspect a day until I am finished.  Because of this, on longer paths I do not always know what will be unfolding in my life when I reach a certain thought in the topic.  This gives God opportunity to work out his sense of humor in my life.

It is the nature of life that we must rely on certain things.  I think we live in a constant imbalance in this area.  We rely to much on the things for which we think we have all the answers.  We put our security in things that we think are stable and fixed.

The problem with this approach is that things are never as stable as they seem.  A company is sold to another company and seven hundred people are found redundant.  On a Thursday they are told they no longer have a job.  On Friday they no longer have insurance.  If they have relied on that paycheck with no contingency dire straits are on the horizon.

We rely on our families in many cases.  They fail sometimes.  Sometimes they learn from their failures and work to be reliable again.  Sometimes they repeat the pattern of failure no matter how often they say they understand and will stop.  Sometimes they just do not care.  Sometimes they walk away to pursue their things never considering the years of devastation their children come to rely on.

I must be reliable.  I have not always been so. I must also realize that I must not rely on others for anything without a contingency.  I do not mean this in a harsh way.  I do mean that I must recognize that only the Father and the Son are the family that can be completely counted on when they say “You may rely on it.”

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.”

(͡° ͜ʖ ͡°)

Eight Ball Answers ~ As I See It, Yes

Greetings Dear Reader,

There is a picture in one of our family albums from when I was a teen.  We are at an outing for my dad’s business.  I am about to depart for college and my youngest brother is a toddler.  The picture is of toddling along holding my hand.  Only my hand with my massive school ring shows as the focus of the shot is my brother.

In that picture my hand and class ring look large because of the small size of my brother.  I am looking at that same ring right now.  It looks small and insignificant just held in the palm of my hand. 

So many of the differences in our world are a matter of perspective.  When we discuss things with others from the mundane to the universal is so often comes down to where we stand when we are looking at the issue.  We use values, information, and beliefs to color in the black and white of things to construct our perspective.

“As I see it” always implies perspective.  From where I stand it means that there is information behind the assertion that is being offered.  The agreement has been weighed in the scales of perspective.  This is both good and bad.

The counsel of others always comes from their perspective.  It is why we must seek the counsel of those who understand ours.  Our choices must be informed by good counsel.  In making it good we must consider the perspective of those we ask.  We must always take I to account the source of our support. 

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 ͡°)

Eight Ball Answers ~ Most Likely

Greetings Dear Reader,

One of you asked me yesterday if I was just shaking the Magic 8-Ball_® and writing about the answer that came up to the surface.  I am not.  I am going in a very specific order.  I did repeat one answer.  I will leave it to you, Dear Reader, to discern why.  I think I know who will most likely sus it out.

That brings us to today’s ponderance.  When I ask a question that is a yes or no question and someone says most likely, I always feel that the question is being avoided.  That does not mean that it is true but that is how it feels to me. 

Most likely implies yes but does not assure it.  It is left to the hearer to infer the degree to which the person is affirming.   It is a loophole for the person giving the answer.  It is easy to slip out of the apparent assertion by simply pointing out the it was likely but not confirmed. 

The difficulty with leaving oneself a back door is that one is not being honest.  It is not wanting to commit to something but wishing to appear that we are committing.   This response can take other forms such as “we could do that”, “that sounds good”, or “that’s a great idea”. 

These are not affirmative answers.  They are simple diversions intended to make one think that there is agreement.  Using this to manipulate a situation is not right for me.  If I am unsure I must say so.  If I am reticent to agree I should not make one believe that I do just to keep favor.  It is my obligation to speak the truth in love.  That is enough.

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 ͡°)

Eight Ball Answers ~ Outlook Good

Greetings Dear Reader,

Too often we think that the outlook is the answer.  In the current climate the outlook is not good in many ways.  A madman in Asia threatens the world.  Our own nation is divided on so many issues that it is frightening.  The outlook in the now is not good.

That, however, is not supposed to be my focus.  It does not take many words to explain that no matter the current distress my outlook is supposed to be colored by my faith.  It always comes back to that.  It is always the undercurrent of what I perceive in the world.

When I accept that I must live by faith and not by sight then there are certain things that must inform my outlook.  The first is that Jesus does not wish us to live in fear and worry.  He wants us to consider that all things will unfold to his ultimate success in bringing the world back to good. 

The bad in the world will run its course.  There will be hard times and there will be bad things.  In every response the Father has the goal of healing the world in the plan.  It is my duty to follow his Son in faith knowing that no matter how deep and dark my current valley may be, the outlook is 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 ͡°)

Eight Ball Answers ~ Signs Point to Yes

Greetings Dear Reader,

At this turn we begin to address the positive facets of the Magic 8-Ball’s icosahedral.  Some of these are the opposite of the negative and some are unique.  There are as many positive responses as there are negative and neutral combined. 

This first one is one of prognostication and not certainty.  I have already touched on the lack of certainty in most things.  I have spoken about the certainty of faith being required in all things.  What it leaves us to is to consider how we follow the signs and our level of dependence on them.

I will deal with how to follow the signs first.  The simplicity is to think, seek counsel, and make a choice.  The difficulty is that thinking can be trying.  Even the clearest thinking can be muddled by the import of a choice.  The grave matters can easily summon questions and doubt.  Our thoughts can be assailed by our fear.

Seeking wise counsel is prudent and desired.  Finding good counselors can be more difficult than one would seem.  Each one must be honest and understand my faith and following.  They do not have to agree with that faith but understanding can prevent counsel that runs against it.

Making choices in dire circumstances can be taxing.  Choosing can direct where life goes and can be a permanent act.  We make choices that limit our choices for life whether we accept that or not.  Choosing, when we must choose, must be no light thing.

The other aspect of this is looking for a sign.  This is the most dangerous aspect.  Jesus makes it clear that to look for a sign in matters that require faith is spiritual adultery.  When it comes down to it signs and portents may inform but they must not replace faith and following.  The signs may point to yes but it is still my obligation to choose in faith.

Wishing you joy in the journey,

Aramis Thorn

Mat 13:52 So Jesus said to them, "That is why every writer who has become a disciple of Christ’s rule of the universe is like a home owner. He liberally hands out new and old things from his great treasure store.”

(͡° ͜ʖ ͡°)

Eight Ball Answers ~ Cannot Predict Now

Greetings Dear Reader,

In many ways we make choices, decisions, and the like without all the information.  Sometimes we are in a hurry or sometimes the information is not available.  We sometimes have to make choices against the pressure of time and must do so without full assurance that we are correct.

Life is one of constant choices.  Some of them become automated by habit or the dictates of others to which we agree.  At times we limit our choices through the consequences of previous choices. 

In any situation when faced with choices we try to predict the outcome.  We hope that we come out favorably even when the situation is grim and the odds are against us.  Our nature is to sometimes deny the truth before to avoid the logical choice.  We will seek the prediction of others to shade things in our favor. 

It is true that in a multitude of counselors there is safety.  It is also true that when seeking counsel we sometimes hope to diminish our responsibility of our choices.   When Gildor the Elf is speaking to Frodo in The Fellowship of the Ring he puts it best;  “Elves seldom give unguarded advice, for advice is a dangerous gift, even from the wise to the wise, and all courses may run ill.”

I always want to predict what will happen.  I always want it to be good and positive.  I am often wrong.  I am not a prophet.  I am a mere scribe.  I delve into this space to better guard my journey and my faith.  I do not offer you predictions or advice Dear Reader.  Rather, I hope that you can benefit from my blessings and learn from my failures. 

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 ͡°)

Eight Ball Answers ~ Better Not Tell You Now

Greetings Dear Reader,

More frustrating perhaps than “Ask Again Later” is the response “Better Not Tell You Now.”  The difficulty is that I perceive a bit of goading in the latter response.  There are times when one must withhold an answer. 

The difficulty is that there is a clear difference between having to withhold an answer and being dishonest.  Then the second layer is honest withholding of information and being sure that one is not being taunting or cryptic.  Both are necessary for those times when answers are requested but not forthcoming.

I struggle with not being cryptic to the point that it is necessary for me to actually state that I am not being cryptic.  I like to lead up to things.  I like story as much as I like the information.  Apparently not everyone shares this.

The difficulty with not being able to reveal things is that I want people to know the whole story.  This is not always a good idea.  This is not always honorable.  Issues such as privacy, work product, and proprietary information necessitate the guarding of my words.  The truth is vital but at times the whole truth must not be disseminated. 

It is my obligation to be clear without violating my obligations to the truth and to privacy.  It is also my duty to avoid indulging my pride when I must withhold information.  “I better not tell you now” must be followed with a clear explanation of my duty to be clear but keep information for specific purposes.

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 ͡°)

Eight Ball Answers ~ Ask Again Later

Greetings Dear Reader,

Of the neutral answers on the Magic 8-Ball_® this one is the most frustrating.  I am prone to want the answers now.  It is difficult for me to be patient when there is information that I want or need.

We all want the answers to the questions that plague us.  There are questions we cannot answer, questions we cannot express, and answers that are not easily forthcoming.  Some of the more universal questions cannot be answered in our current state of knowledge and/or wisdom. 

I do not know if I have ever had a human say to me “ask again later.”  Instead we skirt around giving direct answers.  We will say things that mean ask later but we are not that direct.  This is usually a tactic to delay an unpleasant response or one to buy time to ponder the answer further.

What I need to hone in on for this thought is to make sure that I distinguish between wanting and needing an answer.  Answers are there but I do not always need them as quickly as I presume that I need them.  I am a planner.  I want to know now. 

In truth if I am going to walk in faith then I need to be more patient about the answers I want.  I must be willing to keep moving without answers.  I must follow in faith not sight.  It is in the questions where I need to ask again later that I may learn more than in the immediate answers.

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 ͡°)

Eight Ball Answers ~ Reply Hazy, Try Again Later

Greetings Dear Reader,

We are often so poor at communication.  We do not always say what we should or need to say.  We fail to communicate honestly.  In order to avoid risk we parse what we say. 

The intricacies of communication can be complex and frustrating.  We ponder what we should say, how we should say it, or if we should speak at all.  We give hazy replies to clear questions or in asking vague questions we entrap others. 

When I am uncertain I have to choices.  I can communicate clearly that I am uncertain or I can give clear communication.  What I must not do is give hazy replies.  I must be clear.  I do not need to tell everything I know.  I do not need to be painfully blunt. 

When it comes to communication I almost always like the circuitous route.  Too often I overuse this device.  I like the long lead into things.  I enjoy building a foundation for my point.  This is not wrong but it is not always appropriate.

What I must do is speak the truth in love.  This is the command.  This is the guideline for communication.  We can use truth as a weapon to harm others if we do not speak it in love.  We can use love to be deceptive if we do not embrace the truth. “The world is too dangerous for anything but truth and too small for anything but love.” William Sloane Coffin, Jr.

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 ͡°)

Eight Ball Answers ~ Cannot Predict Now

Greetings Dear Reader,

We complain that the weather report on the news is always wrong and yet it is the most watched part of the news.  Except during times of crisis the weather gets the most air time.  There is even an entire channel for weather.

We love predictions.  We want to know what is going to happen.  We desire to know the future as long as it is favorable.  Many have spent fortunes trying to find out the future.  Charlatans and the sincere will tell you what the future holds.

The honest answer is that we cannot predict the future with accuracy.  All we have to do in order to get a clear understanding of this is reference technology.  Bill Gates told us, “The past teaches us that the present is very poor at predicting the future of technology.”  We are supposed to be a paperless society.  We are supposed to only have to speak to our computers.  Where is my hoverboard?  Where is my flying car?

We are poor predictors of what is to come.  We are also poor at managing ourselves when we know what is coming.  If we do not like the prognostication we look for ways to mitigate it.  We search to change the future to our liking.  Worse, we sometimes resign our lives to futures that could be diverted with a little effort.

When we get an answer that says that the future is unclear we need to understand that we are not necessarily meant to know.  I know that the more I know about the future the more likely I am to mess it up.  Not knowing can be frightening.  It can be daunting.  It is also yet another opportunity for me to have, walk in, and increase my faith. 

Wishing you joy in the journey,

Aramis Thorn

Mat 13:52 So Jesus said to them, "That is why every writer who has become a disciple of Christ’s rule of the universe is like a home owner. He liberally hands out new and old things from his great treasure store.”

(͡° ͜ʖ ͡°)

Eight Ball Answers ~ Very Doubtful

Greetings Dear Reader,

Doubt is such a dangerous thing.  It rises from our fears.  It rises from the failure of faith.  It is not something that makes us better.  It is also not wrong if we deal with it well.

What we fail to see is that in the moment of doubt we have a choice.  We get to choose how we respond to doubt.  We get to exercise faith, the other side of the doubt coin.  I realize that it sounds like a platitude but in the moment it may be the best choice.

If my faith is real then the moment or hours of doubt must be the summoning call to exercise it.  If I claim to live by faith then the rise of a storm that makes me doubt has the shelter from that storm in it. 

My problem is that I want to know what is next.  I want certainty and answers.  Demanding these things that I think will make me secure is not the path to peace.  Without faith I cannot follow Christ.  If that is the fuel to following then I must see it as more than a platitude to be told to use it. 

My doubt is ferocious.  It screams fear and despair into my mind.  My faith in Christ alone brings me solace.  It does not consume my need to know but it gives me direction.  It gives me a foothold.  It gives me protection from the storm if I wish it.

So it comes down to the ever-asked question, “Is faith enough?”  Once again I must exercise faith.  I must also change the question.  I must change it to, “Can I make it without faith?”  The answer for me is very simple, very plain, and sounds like a platitude.  My answer must be, “Very doubtful.” 

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 ͡°)

Eight Ball Answers ~ Outlook Not So Good

Greetings Dear Reader,

In a world where we are supposed to live in the moment whilst considering the past and the future we instead spend too much time in the past and future.  We look to the future more often than we live in the moment.  We even use Outlook_® to manage much of our working and some of our personal lives. 

It is good to have plans and planning tools.  It is wise to prioritize events and opportunities.  The difficulty is that we get more invested in how we think things will unfold than we do in how we are supposed to be in the unfolding.

There are times when the outlook is not so good.  It may be work, a medical diagnosis, a spouse who wants out of the marriage.  There are times when the situation is grim.  Sometimes hope seems fleeting. 

I am not intended to live my life based on my outlook.  I am meant to live my life following Christ no matter how grim the situation seems.  When the outlook is bleak it is time to harness my faith not my limited view of the world.  When the outlook is bright I should enjoy it but not put my confidence in anything but Christ.

The outlook may not be good but God is good all the time.  He knows what he is doing even when I do not see the possibilities.  That needs to be enough for 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.”

(͡° ͜ʖ ͡°)

Eight Ball Answers ~ Don’t Count on It

Greetings Dear Reader,

This specific answer from the Magic 8-Ball_® is negative but also neutral.  It is listed as one of the “no” answers.  It also subject to one’s own disposition.

It is much more important that I focus on that in which I put my dependence.  We count on answers, information, and understanding.  We put our security in money, jobs, and relationships.  We count on status, popularity, and position for our relevance. 

When we define our lives by the anything that is temporal we assure that we will face disappointment.  We provide the sand on which our hopes will crumble.  We set ourselves up for disappointment.  We create a situation where we will lose that on which we depend.

Living in a world where humans depend on each other requires that we count on things that are uncertain.  We put many things in place to assure that others can be counted upon to do what they should do.  None of those things can control the human will.  People will do many things, even heinous ones to avoid keeping commitments that have become contrary to what is willed.

People will lie, steal, even kill to keep that which they count on for their security.  Perhaps the Magic 8-Ball can remind me here that I should not count on anything temporal for my peace of mind.  My choices, decisions, and security must be because I count on Christ and his unfolding of the universe. 

When I get this answer I must turn my attention to faith and following.  I must not count on even having the answers to feel secure.  I must ask the questions and keep following Christ knowing that, as my Grandfather use say, “What is to be will be even if it don’t happen.”

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 ͡°)