Creation, Recreation, and Procreation ~ Closing Thoughts

Greetings Dear Reader,

One could feel the difference in the air yesterday as the temperatures turned from snow to sun and warmth.  Most of the snow that fell on Wednesday has melted but the places with constant shade still have small patches covering them.  The warmth of the sun in my Volkswagen had that quality that gently removes winter coats and opens sun roofs.

In the stream of constant creation my part of the world sheds its blanket of cold.  I see buds and birds that make me remember how life keeps going forward.  So many see the Robin as the sign of spring.  For me it is the Red Winged Blackbird.  I find them lovely and daring.  They perch atop reeds and cattails in dance of balance and beauty.

All over the northern hemisphere creation awakens, people rush to outdoor recreation.  Plants and animals are busy at procreation.  We will soon see buds, berries, and flowers everywhere.  The farmer’s market is open and baseball is in full swing. 

In the midst of all this life I need to remember that I am also constant creation.  I am being renewed in every moment.  In the long term I am being recreated and refined.  I will eventually be completed when my journey is done.  Until then I need to embrace all that life is and procreate good things in others. 

It is in this constant creation from the Father that moves us along the path to home.  In our death-based ecosystem we pursue life.  It is in the relationship with the Father that we find the deepest essence of that life.  I must allow him to remake, RE-create me into what he designed me to be.  All of life is better with this in mind.

Doulos – Kemper Crabb

You are my God

And I am your man

I will follow you

With the work of my hand

And the thoughts of my mind

And the love of my heart

If the world could know

If they could understand

Ah, the exquisite touch

Of the Creator's hand

Brings a blur to my eye

But makes my vision clear

Ring, rainbow ring

Encircles the throne

Fiery ring of love

Around your own

A golden ring to show

Just where I stand

A ring that binds my heart

Into your hand

And looking back across the years

I can see that you were constantly there

Constant creation

That’s what I am

As you are making me into your man

Here is my ear

Drive through the nail

The world will know

By the ring that I wear

That I am not for sale

For you are my God

And I am your man

Ring, rainbow ring

Encircles the throne

Fiery ring of love

Around your own

A golden ring to show

Just where I stand

A ring that binds my heart

Into your hand

For You are my God

And I am your man

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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Creation, Recreation, and Procreation ~ Procreation Part 2

Greetings Dear Reader,

It is intriguing to watch children exhibit traits that one clearly sees in their parents.  Some are inherited and part of that mysterious package we pass along through our genetic makeup.  The other part is that which is both caught and taught. 

Even when they do not wish it, children adopt habits of their parents.  They see us and emulate us for good or ill.  We set an example that is followed, adopted, and adapted.  Often we do not see “where they get it from.”  We understand, however, “that the apple does not fall far from the tree.” 

What I think we do not realize is that we do this in others as well.  We become an example of what is good or ill by our daily lives.  As I have been in this time of difficulty I have worked hard to make sure that I set a good example for my family.   I have worked to assure that I keep my faith, effort, and attitude in proper alignment.

This is what we do.  We live our lives the way we choose and procreate our attitudes, values, and character in others who observe us.  We will be a good example or a bad one.  We will create poor or proper attitudes in others by ours.  By our actions toward others we can build good or tear down the proper example.

It is my duty to procreate the attitudes of Christ in others through my example and actions.  If I do not exemplify those things then my words will mean nothing.  I am going to procreate those attitudes in any event.  It is necessary that I am sure to do so with intent by making my best effort to live out love and kindness. 

When I do this, I can refine my efforts.  Through intent and action I can weed out the thing I do not wish to pass on to others.  I can also enhance the things that are good and right.  Love, kindness, and goodness can be procreated if I make them a reality in my life.

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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Creation, Recreation, and Procreation ~ Creation Part 2

Greetings Dear Reader,

It is interesting that whilst we await the weather we associate with spring that the local channels are calling for another few inches of snow.  The snow is a frustration for many and too wet for snow lovers.  If one is to keep one’s spirit it may take creativity.

This brings me to the thought that we are supposed to be creators.  Tolkien put it that we are to be sub-creators.  When I taught a course on creative teaching for many years I would encourage my students to always create.  We need to do this.

We are to find creative ways to express our hearts and minds.  We are meant to think new thoughts and try new things.  It is in us as created beings to emulate our Creator.  I realize that some of you just laughed at me.  That is understandable.  One of the places we need to be more creative is in the harmonization of faith and science.  As with most things we can surely work together to find truth if we are creative about our methods and keep our integrity.

Not only do we need to be creative as problem solvers in our world.  We need to create art, music, and words that motivate and inspire.  We need to create beauty in the world that reminds us why we are different from other living things.  This is one of the reasons I write.  It is why I dabble in music.  It is why I do not try to draw or paint. 

As we wait for creation to exhibit the weather we desire we must continue to create that which shows the beauty of life.  I must work daily to live out my role as a sub-creator using the gifts that I have.  Neglecting them is a waste of time.   It is the failure to use time that I am given. 

As I journey toward another spring I hope that I use the resurgence of life to be more creative.  I wish to be renewed in the return of life to the world.  I also need to remember that the other half of my world is in Autumn and that life is going dormant for them in many ways.  I must create so that they have something to savor in their long cold winter.

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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Creation, Recreation, and Procreation ~ Procreation Part 1

Greetings Dear Reader,

As I mentioned in my opening thoughts I am not talking about the birthing of children.  What I am pondering is that procreation of things that are good.  We do this simply enough when we plant a garden or write a song.

The other aspects of procreation that can be difficult are those which require us to pass on the life of kindness, goodness, and love toward others.  I refuse to think of it as replicating those things.  That is too impersonal.  It is that I am required to intimately and personally infuse these things into the lives of others. 

I am to be a source of constant procreation of that which is best in all of us.  This is the lateral purpose of our journey with Christ.  My purpose is to help to infuse life into others through faith, example, and service.  Instead of seeing the great power of doing this through humility we often do this through intimidation and threat of punishment.  This is not what creates new life. 

My purpose is to create life wherever I can through obedience to the commands to love God and my fellow humans.  I am to rather woo others to this new life through love and social justice.  It is allowable for me to want everyone to believe what I believe as long as my putting forth of that is done in love and respect.  It must be absent of judgment and condemnation.  It must be consistent humble acts of love and sacrifice that bring about new life.

In following Christ, I am called to procreate life through the living out of the Gospel.  I am required to use the love of Christ in my life to build it into the lives of others.  If done properly it will aid others in learning to do the same.  Life finds a way.  Love finds a way.  It is up to me to make sure I do not hinder it.

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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Creation, Recreation, and Procreation ~ Recreation Part 1

Greetings Dear Reader,

We are supposed to do things.  Some of us are more sedentary than others.  No matter what form of activity best suits you, there is a level of activity required for us to remain healthy.  Beyond that, we are supposed to renew who we are through rest and leisure activity. 

This activity that we call recreation is better viewed as RE-creation.  We recharge our batteries.  We reclaim our passions.  We find the paths to things we enjoy.  If we focus on it we can find the thing that recreates us daily.  If we try we may be able to make that thing sustain us.

Creation is renewed in the seasons.  It is reborn as the cycle of life churns through the cosmos.  When we take the time to recreate ourselves we can purge that which is harmful and embrace that which is beneficial.  We can do this mentally, physically, socially, and spiritually.  The thing is that we have to choose.  Not choosing is choosing to remain the same or to decay.

Writing re-creates me.  I do it every day.  I have not missed a day in almost two thousand days.  Over time I can see the cumulative impact on my mind and spirit.  I can see how much it helps me to focus on what is good and right.  It aids me to process how to be more loving and kind. 

I must recreate my life daily and then use as much life as I have for that day.  I must use it to make things a little better than they were yesterday.  I must use the anticipation of recreation as a generator of hope for tomorrow.  Eventually it will all be re-created.  Eventually it will all be good again.  For now, I must take my place as a sub-creator and do my best to re-create the world in good ways.  This is part of the essence of following Christ.

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 ͡°)

Creation, Recreation, and Procreation ~ Creation Part 1

Greetings Dear Reader,

In response to my pondering yesterday our Wisconsin Spring saw a few inches of snow and ice grace our mid-April morning.   As I gaze out my window it looks more like winter than spring.   It is beautiful but my social feed is filled with those bemoaning the apparent lateness of warmth and access to outdoor activities so longed for by those who have come through the long winter.

I try to take the approach that God never gets the weather wrong.  We may not get the weather we want but the weather we get is what we are supposed to have.  I look for the beauty in the weather that is there.  The sea of ice and snow on my lawn is lovely.  It may be fleeting because temperatures will rise before the new week is out.  It is still something I can value if I choose to see it for what it is instead of for what it is not,

Perhaps that is the life key for me that is held in the weather.  All of creation moves as it does.  I cannot control any of it.  I can find beauty in it if I choose to look for it.  I can obtain a perspective that the world unfolds as it should.  I must find the good, the beauty, and the moments of grace in that unfolding.  They are always there.  In finding them I can more easily see the path to following Christ.  In that there is complete beauty no matter what the weather.

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 ͡°)

Creation, Recreation, and Procreation ~ Opening Thoughts

Greetings Dear Reader,

Even though it is mid-April the weather does not yet feel like Spring.  This time of year does put me in mind of the way in which the world seems to awaken from its slumber to remind us that life is still moving forward.  I can hear the buzz of people at the places I frequent humming about the need for the weather to get warm so they can do the thing they want to do outside.

I have seen hints of daffodils and buds on the trees but they have been hindered by the return of snow and ice.  Still my mind turns to the thing of spring and summer and I wonder how the seasons touch me this year.   As April slips through the hourglass I am drawn to baseball and thoughts of shorts and sandals.  My mind considers the farmer’s market and swimming. 

Drawn toward thoughts of creation and its children, recreation and procreation I ponder how I give place to all of these when the weather that allows them delays.  I am going to palaver about it for a few days and truly desire your company as I do so.  Just to set you at east the bit on procreation will not be about human children.  Hopefully we can find a of Spring whimsy whilst we await spring weather that suits us.

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 ͡°)

On Leisure Pursuits – Closing

Greetings Dear Reader,

As a Christ follower I am accountable for all my time.  This means that even my leisure pursuits must be in line with the Father’s design for us.  I must rest purposefully.  I must recreate my life as necessary to conform to the gospel.  I must not abuse sleep.  I must avoid stress and adopt relaxation. 

It seems that managing all this could defeat the purpose of it but this is not how it works.  As will all things I must assure that I make the most of my leisure time.  My leisure pursuits must be ones that recreate and restore me.  Neglecting this will hinder my ability to work and serve will all that I am.

My entire life must be yielded to following Christ.  If I do not follow him in my leisure pursuits then I will not be equipped to do so in the work he has set before me.  It is about being committed to Christ in all that I do.  Even when I am bone weary or emotionally exhausted what I do to rest and recharge must be yielded to Christ and his purposes. 

It comes to assuring that in all that I do I am yielding what I have to Christ.  It comes to monitoring every step of the journey so that they are in the steps of Christ.  I will fail but I must lessen the failures and shorten the time between successes.  Rest well Dear Reader;  we still have work to do.

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 ͡°)

On Leisure Pursuits – Honest Recreation

Greetings Dear Reader,

Most of you read that word as “rec·re·a·tion (/rekrēˈāSH(ə)n/)”   I try to always read it as “re-cre·a·tion ˌ(rē-krē-ā-SH(ə)n/).   We define recreation as the pursuit of activities done for enjoyment when not at work.  This is a great way to spend leisure pursuits but I think we leave out something vital.

I think that we need pursuits specifically designed to re-create us.  We all know what that is.  We all know what energies who we are over what we do.  If we have forgotten what does this for us then it is vital to rediscover it. 

There are times when we need major re-creation.  Our lives can become in need of a major overhaul.  We also need daily minor course corrections.  We need episodes where we do things to re-create the little things that impact relationships and focus our pursuits. 

We can re-create attitudes, actions, and assumptions.  We can always find ways to rediscover who we are created to be and reinvent our lives in more pleasing and productive ways.  I must re-create who I am in any area that limits my ability to follow Christ.  I must use my leisure pursuits to re-create the things that nourish my kindness and love.  The activity may exhaust or rest me physically.   What matters is that my mind and spirit are drawn closer to being more like my creator.

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 ͡°)

On Leisure Pursuits – Focused Relaxation

Greetings Dear Reader,

Relaxation is defined as an easing of tension or anxiousness.  Since Christ followers are not to be anxious over anything it seems that one should be relaxed most of the time.  This is not the case.  We become anxious and tense over many things both serous and mundane. 

This means that one must focus on being relaxed.  Worry and tension must be intentionally purged.  Our need is further than that though.   It is not enough to release tension.   We must at times truly do nothing.  We must push away even thinking about the things that plague us.

We employ many things to turn off our thinking.   Some of those things are unhealthy.  We indulge in excesses to deal with worry and tension.  This leads to many maladies that in turn increase worry and tension. 

Another form of failure to relax is when we deny our tension.  We avoid and bury problems that make us anxious.  This leads to short tempers, excesses, and failure to be as good to others as we should. 

I must seek focused relaxation.  I must not carry worry and anxiety intentionally.   Further I must assure that I do not use my tension as an excuse to be unkind or impatient.  If I am to follow Christ with my whole heart I must create space for focused relaxation that seeks calm and serenity.  I must become an instrument of peace.

Prayer of Saint Francis – Sarah McLachlan

Lord, make me an instrument of thy peace.

Where there is hatred, let me sow love;

Where there is injury, pardon;

Where there is doubt, faith;

Where there is despair, hope;

Where there is darkness, light;

Where there is sadness, joy.

O divine Master, grant that I may not so much seek

To be consoled as to console,

To be understood as to understand,

To be loved as to love;

For it is in giving that we receive;

It is in pardoning that we are pardoned;

It is in dying to self that we are born to eternal life.

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 ͡°)

On Leisure Pursuits – Segmented Sleep

Greetings Dear Reader,

I do not sleep much.  It is not lost on me that I had planned this topic for today and I awakened two hours earlier than intended.  I have never like naps and there was even a wayward attempt in high school to wean my life fully from any sleep.  Three weary days and some terrifying hallucinations cemented in my mind that I need sleep daily.

The advantage of needing little sleep is that once I am asleep I do so deeply.  This may account for my needing little of it.  Still sleep is required and missed when elusive.   I realize that as there are those who need less sleep than the norm there are also those who require more.  Sleep is a necessity but can also be a leisure pursuit.  It is in the pursuit of sleep for leisure that we must be vigilant not to abuse it.

As one who does not like to sleep this is not an issue for me but I must consider how I think and feel about those who seem to abuse it.  I have a friend who has admitted that she is addicted to naps.  The Bible does not say a great deal about sleep but warns against too much of it.  It does teach us that we are accountable for all of our time. 

In this pursuit I must get enough sleep to be healthy and not so much that I waste time that should be used for other things   I owe it to my family and work to get enough rest so that I am truly present at required events.  I need to be rested enough to give my best both practically and socially.   I need to be careful not to judge those who need more sleep and those who abuse it.  It is not place.

I am not sure why the Father designed us to need sleep.  Were it up to me I would abandon it completely.   In this as with all things though, I must be subject to how I am designed over what I desire.   Then again I would value it if things stopped mid-day for warm cookies, cold milk, and a short rest.  I would prefer not to nap but I must be aware of the needs of others.  I prefer not to be asleep in the light.   

Asleep in the Light – Keith Green

Do you see, do you see all the people sinking down?

Don't you care, don't you care are you gonna let them drown?

How can you be so numb not to care if they come?

You close your eyes and pretend the job's done

Bless me Lord, bless me Lord You know it's all I ever hear

No one aches, no one hurts no one even sheds one tear

But He cries, He weeps, He bleeds and He cares for your needs

And you just lay back and keep soaking it in

Oh, can't you see it's such a sin? 'Cause He brings people to your door

And you turn them away as you smile and say

God bless you, be at peace and all heaven just weeps

'Cause Jesus came to you door you've left Him out in the street

Open up, open up and give yourself away

You see the need; you hear the cries so how can you delay?

God's calling and you're the one but like Jonah you run

He's told you to speak but you keep holding it in

Can't you see it's such a sin?

The world is sleeping in the dark that the church just can't fight

'Cause it's asleep in the light

How can you be so dead, when you've been so well fed

Jesus rose from the grave and you, you can't even get out of bed

Jesus rose from the dead, come on, get out of your bed

How can you be so numb not to care if they come

You close your eyes and pretend the job's done

You close your eyes and pretend the job's done

Don't close your eyes, don't pretend the job's done

Come away, come away, come away with Me my love

Come away from this mess, come away with Me, my love

Come away, come away, come away with Me my love

Come away from this mess, come away with Me, my love

Come away, come away, come away with Me my love

Come away from this mess, come away with Me, my love

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 ͡°)

On Leisure Pursuits – Accurate Re-calibration

Greetings Dear Reader,

Many of us no longer need to calibrate things hence the word bears defining.  To calibrate is to “correlate the readings of (an instrument) with those of a standard in order to check the instrument's accuracy.”   We need to consistently re-calibrate. 

If left to my own measures I do not always assess my instrument well.  I push too hard when I am ill.  I can at times be too sedentary.   I should exercise more than I do.  I do not always assess myself honestly both on the positive and negative side.

I need to set honest baselines for what I need in leisure.   Diet, exercise, activity, and rest must all become measured and intentional.   This is not a secular issue.  It must not be my priority but it must be prioritized.    

Paul notes that “bodily exercise is of little profit.”   This does not mean that one should not exercise but it does mean that it must be seen in relation to other things.  An honest and accurate re-calibration of how I spend my leisure time is vital to assuring that I follow Christ in all things.

There is no down time from following Christ as I am to use all of my time to do that.  The Father has prescribed rest and relaxation but as with all things it must be tempered.  If I am to manage leisure pursuits properly I must know what I need and discipline every part of it.  This is not a stressful or worrisome discipline.   It is a part of following Christ with all that I am.  Even assessment must be done 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 ͡°)

On Leisure Pursuits – Intentional Rest

Greetings Dear Reader,

Since creation the Father has considered rest important.   When he rested after creation the word used to describe it is the same word from which we get Sabbath and sabbatical.  Rest is designed into the Law of Moses. It was a part of Christ’s weekly life. 

The idea of rest here is to cease from work.  It is important that rest is not doing something as opposed to doing something.  It can be better explained as I am not working instead of I am resting.  It is intentional refraining from work or intentional rest.

In our culture it is expected that we take work home with us.  I have coworkers that work every day.   In my years as a professor I did work outside of work almost every night.   If you do not think almost every teacher does this you are deluded.  I have friends who put in long hours at work and are still spinning late in the evening at home.  

As a writer I have to make sure that there are times when I do not sit down and begin to spin out lines.  I can get distracted by ideas and inspiration.   I must discipline my life to capture the idea but then return to whatever pursuit in which I am involved out of respect for my fellow travelers. 

I must also never assume that it is proper to impede on others when I work.  I must not assume that I when choose to work late that I can involve others without consideration for their needs.   When I supervise others it is my obligation to consider their time and need for rest.    

We are created to rest.  We are created to keep this in balance with our other pursuits.  I must assure that I focus on intentional rest.  I must not allow worry and circumstance to keep me from the rest the recharges me for the next day or the coming week.  I do not live under the law but the practice of intentional rest does make me a better follower. 

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 ͡°)

On Leisure Pursuits – Opening Thoughts

Greetings Dear Reader,

I have begun planning vacation time for the summer.  In discussing vacations, rest, and leisure with my friend Marsha I mentioned “Intentional Rest”.  I use this phrase so often the impact on her surprised me.  I will talk more about that in a couple of days.

It did trigger my thinking on the leisure pursuits and how I follow Christ in them.  Leisure like everything else in our lives must be an act of following.  There is not “down time” from following Christ.   Our idle words and leisure time belong to the journey as well.  It is, therefore, imperative that our leisure pursuits yield faithful following and not be squandered.

Please walk with me as I think through some various aspects of faithful leisure.  I need to assure that I follow Christ in all things.  Perhaps we can discover together how to better use down time to increase who we are Dear Reader.  As always I treasure your thoughts and questions.

Cool Change – Little River Band

If there's one thing in my life that's missing

It's the time that I spend alone

Sailing on the cool and bright clear water

It's kind of a special feeling

When you're out on the sea alone

Staring at the full moon, like a lover

Time for a cool change

I know that it's time for a cool change

Now that my life is so prearranged

I know that it's time for a cool change

Well I was born in the sign of water

And it's there that I feel my best

The albatross and the whales they are my brothers

There's lots of those friendly people

And they're showing me ways to go

And I never want to lose their inspiration

Time for a cool change

I know that it's time for a cool change

Now that my life is so prearranged

I know that it's time for a cool change

I've never been romantic

And sometimes I don't care

I know it may sound selfish

But let me breathe the air

Let me breathe the air...

Well I was born in the sign of water

And it's there that I feel my best

The albatross and the whales they are my brothers

It's kind of a special feeling

When you're out on the sea alone

Staring at the full moon, like a lover

Time for a cool change

I know that it's time for a cool change

Now that my life is so prearranged

I know that it's time for a cool change

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 ͡°)