Music that Moves Me – Closing Thoughts

Greetings Dear Reader,

Life has so many major and minor keys.  We often do not get to choose which key life plays for us.  We do get to choose how we deal with.  We get to determine our responses. 

When life is playing a minor key for me whether it is physical, emotional, or social I must determine my responses.  I must determine if you will “how I sing along.”  If I choose not to sing along things do not get better.  I cannot check out of life.  I cannot change the key but I can find the right notes to follow.

Not to take the metaphor too far but I must join in the harmony if I am to make it through the tough times.  It was recently pointed out to me that when I am in this place I still need to be aware of those around me.  My obligation to them is not lessened by my situation.  I am thankful that someone loves me enough to point this out.

I will use music to constantly remind me that I must be better today than yesterday no matter my circumstances.   No matter what the key the piper that calls my tune loves me and will be there.  All he requires of me is that I follow in faith.  That is where the joy is found in the journey.

Job Suite – Michael Card

Blameless and upright, a fearer of God

A man truly righteous, no pious façade

One about whom God was accustomed to boast

And so one whom Satan desired the most

One day the accuser came breathing out lies

It's you, holy handouts his faithfulness buys

In one desperate day his possessions were lost

His children all killed in one raw holocaust

His children all killed in one raw holocaust

And yet through it all, through the tears and pain

He worshiped his God, found no reason to blame

Once more the Deceiver denounced and decried

It's skin for skin and hide for hide

Strike down his flesh and he'll surely deny

And confess that his praying has all been a lie

Very well, take him, the Holy One sighed

But you must spare his life, my son shall not die

So Job was afflicted with terrible sores

Sat down in the ashes to wait for the Lord

Sat down in the ashes to wait for the Lord

And yet through it all, through the tears and pain

He worshiped his God, found no reason to blame

A throne of ashes, a crown of pain

A sovereign of sorrow, a mournful reign

May the day of my birth be remembered no more

May darkness and shadow come claim it once more

Why did I not perish on that dreadful day

And sleep now where kings and counselors lay?

What I dreaded most has now come upon me

Why is light giver those in misery?

I loathe my own life so my tears fall like rain

As I find that there is no peace in my pain

Lord, send a comforter now to my door

So that this terror will frighten no more

A counselor between us to come hear my oath

Someone who could lay a hand on us both

These friends of mine are no comfort to me

So deafly they listen so blindly they see

Their words and their doctrine they all sound so true

The problem is Lord, they're all wrong about you!

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I know my advocate waits upon high

My witness in heaven sees the tears that I cry

A true intercessor who will condescend

To plead with God as a man pleads for his friend

If I've been untrue, if I've robbed the poor

If I'm without guilt, what am I suffering for?

God would not crush me for some secret sin

And though he slay me still I'll trust in Him

I know now that my Redeemer's alive

He'll stand on the earth on the day he arrives

And though my body by then is no more

Yet in my flesh I know I'll see the Lord

Who is it who darkens my council

Who speaks empty words without knowledge?

Brace yourself up like a man

And answer me now if you can

Can you put on glory and splendor?

What's the way to the home of the light?

Does your voice sound like the thunder? Are you afraid?

Where were you when earth's foundations were laid?

Who gave the heart it's wisdom?

The mind it's desire to know? Can you bind the stars?

Raise your voice to the clouds?

Did you make the eagle proud?

Will the ox spend the night by your manger?

Did you let the wild donkey go free?

Can you take leviathan home as a pet?

If you merely touched him, you'd never forget

Who is it that darkens my council?

Who speaks empty words without knowledge?

Brace yourself up like a man

And answer me now if you can

I am unworthy, how can I reply?

There's nothing that you cannot do

You are the storm that calmed my soul

I place my hand over my mouth

I place my hand over my mouth

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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Music that Moves Me – Which Way are You Going

Greetings Dear Reader,

There are some songs that timeless address the social issues for which Christ followers are responsible.  The current debates over gun violence and family values are things over which all Christ followers should agree.  We do not.

There is only one standard by which we should measure things.  Are we showing the love of Christ to each other, our enemies, and the world?  One cannot show love to someone whilst shooting them.  That seems a bit obvious. 

Not to put too fine a point on it but the argument for or against most social issues offered by Christ followers does not include those Christ followers taking personal responsibility for the needs of those involved.  We are the ones responsible for the social needs of our neighbors.  We are the ones who are required to care for others no matter if they believe as we do or not.

When we fail to do this we fail to live out the Gospel.  We create confusion for the world about who we are when they know in their souls who we are supposed to be.  The requirement is that we love everyone.  The way we live that out is by caring for their needs. 

There is nothing wrong with having standards or prosperity.  There is something very wrong with not helping others because we are judgmental or selfish.  There is something very wrong with living out violence against others when we are commanded to love them.  I cannot claim to follow Christ and ignore these things.

My treatment of others with love and respect must cross all lines of religion, culture, and social preference.  This is how I show the love of Christ.  If I can do this daily I can make a difference.  This is how I show which way I am going and perhaps convince others to travel with me.

Which Way are You Going – Jim Croce

Which way are you going, which side will you be on

Will you stand and watch while, all the seeds of hate are sown

Will you stand with those who say, let his will be done

One hand on the bible; one hand on the gun

One hand on the bible; one hand on the gun

Which way are you looking, is it hard to see

Do you say what’s wrong for him, is not wrong for me

You walk the streets, righteousness but you refuse to understand

You say you love the baby; then you crucify the man

You say you love the baby; then you crucify the man

Every day, things are changing, words once honored turned to lies

People wondering, can you blame them

It’s too far to run, and too late to hide

Now you turn your back on, all the things that you used to preach

Now its let him live in freedom, if he lives like me

Well you light has changed, confusion rains, what have you become

All your olive branches turned to spears; when your flowers turned to guns

Your olive branches turned to spears; when your flowers turned to guns

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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Music that Moves Me – Netherlands

Greetings Dear Reader,

Sometimes a song reminds one where the source of all things is rooted.  Even the great beauty of the world reminds me that the Creator offers me sweet peace in every situation if I will accept it.  People have often seen my peace is tense situations as a lack of feeling.   Those who know me know that I feel all things deeply.

Much of what is involved in following Christ begins within.  What we think in the mind comes out in our actions.  What is down in the well is what comes up in the bucket.  If I nurse my love, compassion, mercy, and grace then that is how I deal with others.  If indulge anger and selfishness then that is how I am with people. 

If I remember all the grace it takes for me to receive mercy from Christ then I can access the humility needed to see the needs of others clearly.  We face the decision daily to accept life as it is or follow Christ in faith.  Every time I choose not to follow Christ the peace departs.

As I listen to Netherlands I am reminded that there are moments when I choose to love above all else.  In those moments I realize that even the darkness will one day worship the Light.  It is worth the journey to see these moments.

Netherlands – Dan Fogelberg

High on this mountain the clouds down below

I'm feeling so strong and alive

From this rocky perch, I'll continue to search

For the wind and the snow and the sky

Oh I want a lover and I want some friends

And I want to live in the sun

And I want to do all the things

That I never have done

Sunny bright mornings and pale moonlit nights

Keep me from feeling alone

Now, I'm learning to fly and this freedom is like

Nothing that I've ever known

Oh I've seen the bottom and I've been on top

But mostly I've lived in between

And where do you go

When you get to the end of your dream?

Off in the Nether lands I heard a sound

Like the beating of heavenly wings

And deep in my brain I can hear a refrain

Of my soul as she rises and sings

Anthems to glory and anthems to love and

Hymns filled with earthly delight

Like the songs that the darkness

Composes to worship the light

Once in a vision I came on some woods

And stood at a fork in the road

My choices were clear yet I froze with the fear

Of not knowing which way to go

One road was simple acceptance of life

The other road offered sweet peace

When I made my decision

My vision became my release

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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Music that Moves Me – Point of Know Return

Greetings Dear Reader,

I value knowledge very highly.  With knowledge comes responsibility.  Many years of study and research have led to a faith that is founded in reason.  My faith is reasonable.  I have studied theology most of my adult life. 

I often forget the level of accountability this brings.  I am accountable for over eighty hours of training in Bible and theology.  I have a vast library about God and the things of God.  I have knowledge but must not lean on that alone.

Knowledge without application only yields pride.  It must be accompanied with honesty and wisdom.  I must have humility as its constant companion.  I must still follow in faith. 

There comes a point, however, where we know what truth is.  We will deny it. We will run from it.  We will avoid dealing with it.  We know that God is there but we will deny that we have reached a point of no return in dealing with him and his love for us.

I don’t need another sermon or Bible class.  I know God is there and that following him is the only honest past.  When I fail to apply this knowledge I also fail at life.  When I follow in faith it never lets me down.  This song always reminds me that I have reached a point of knowledge from which I cannot return.  It reminds me that anything outside of following Christ is dust in the wind.

Point of Know Return – Kansas

I heard the men saying something

The captains tell they pay you well

And they say they need sailing men to

Show the way, and leave today

Was it you that said, "How long, how long?"

They say the sea turns so dark that

You know it's time, you see the sign

They say the point demons guard is

An ocean grave, for all the brave,

Was it you that said, "How long, how long,

How long to the point of know return?"

Your father, he said he needs you

Your mother, she says she loves you

Your brothers, they echo your words:

"How far to the point of know return?"

"Well, how long?"

Today I found a message floating

In the sea from you to me

It said that when you could see it

You cried with fear, the Point was near

Was it you that said, "How long, how long

To the Point of Know Return?"

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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Music that Moves Me – Freedom

Greetings Dear Reader,

There is a great deal of talk these days about freedom.  It seems that freedom is claimed but it has an all-important twin that gets left behind; responsibility.  We think that we are free but we forget that we do not control much at all.  We are still bound to the laws of the universe.  We still answer to God whether we accept it or not. 

Freedom is found in obedience.  It is the other side of the coin of responsibility.  It is a train traveling on the tracks.  We cannot get free of this truth without somehow derailing our lives.  Freedom is not “I can do whatever I wish.”  We do have free will and can choose to follow or not follow Christ.  That does not make us free from the consequences of our choices.

We do not like the idea that we do not get to do whatever we wish without responsibility or consequence.  Our choices are what define us.  What follows is often the consequence of our choices.  When we seek to be free without responsibility for those consequences it rarely turns out good.

I must live in the freedom that comes from obedience.  I must accept the responsibility that comes with that freedom.   I must be free in Christ not independent of him.  I cannot ignore or marginalize the commands of Christ to appear socially acceptable.  I cannot ignore them to fit in with Christians who have forgotten the commands of Christ.

Freedom is only found in following.  I can only be free if I am committed to Christ and following him with my whole heart.  I can only be free if my motivation is to love God and his creations with all my heart.  I want to be free but only in the right way.

If You Want to Get Free – Waterdeep

In the gas station bathroom by the condom machine

I heard the word of the Lord

He said "Take off your shoes,

this is holy ground too

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

Beneath the selling of beers

And the welling up of tears

Out beyond the beam of the remote control

There's a whispering voice

That the humble ear ears

that says "I am still waiting

for you to ask just to be made whole."

And the bush it was burning on the mountain top

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

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

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

I am so often deterred from my actual intent

by distractions in a cellophane wrap

And the cruel voice that taunts me when I open them up

to find just one more box full of crap

It's where you're mocked while you abstain

and then cursed when you give in

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

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

when you put the nails to your hands and your feet

And the smell of our sacrifices

still fills up my head

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

all the rest of them fled

And we've cried and we've tried

We've sweat and we've bled

But we don't just need atonement

We need to be raised from the dead

When they took down the cross from that dark hillside

The blood on their hands was the blood from his side

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

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

If you want to get free

Don't you want to get free?

I think you want to be free.

Wishing you joy in the journey,

Aramis Thorn

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

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Music that Moves Me – The Prayer of Saint Francis

Greetings Dear Reader,

I have walked through the Prayer of Saint Francis at length in August of 2011.  It is the writing that kick-started my attempt to blog daily.  This song, more than most centers me.  It reminds me of all that I am supposed to be.   The structure allows one to loop it over and over without there seeming to be anything in-between but a shore rest.

I have hummed this over and over on days when I struggle with following Christ.  I have sung it with joy when I am seeing the joy in my journey with Christ.  It is one of the songs I have put on my headphones at night when sleep eludes me.  These beautiful words of a yielded heart force me to take my eyes off of my concerns and seek to love others. 

These fourteen lines and the voice of Sarah Mclachlan combine to create a soothing inspiring moment.  Those moments can take me over a rough patch or help me enjoy pleasant travels.  This music moves me along the path in a beautiful way.  

The Prayer of Saint Francis – Sarah Mclachlan

Lord, make me an instrument of your 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,

And it is in dying 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.”

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Music that Moves Me – Opening Thoughts

Greetings Dear Reader,

As most of the world turns to raking leaves and pumpkin spiced obsessions I am already focused on the paving stones that lead to Advent.  The preparation for All Hallows Eve, All Saints Day, and All Souls Day mean more to me than Jack-O-Lanterns and Starbucks confections.

To forestall irritating my loved ones I will hold off a bit on reveling in those things here and instead talk about something we all share.  My children and I all love music.  Music soothes, stills, and reminds me.  It calls me to see things more clearly and be what I am supposed to be in every circumstance.

I actually have songs pop into my head as a backdrop to what is going on in my life.  What the DJ in my head chooses often makes things clearer but sometimes she makes things worse. (I know it is a she because there are sometimes voice overs and intros along with the music. {Things such as “And to help you through that dental visit here is the Secret Language of Birds by Ian Anderson.  Fly away on those meds but don’t try to talk to the birds in front of the dentist.})

I view music as one of my best gifts from God.  I can carry a tune and play a couple of instruments.   The notes and words ferret out what is hurting and force me to face.  They can define the core of my joy in good times.  The soundtrack of my life often tells me how I am feeling before I would have figured it out on my own.

I have music that I have with me all the time.  I am going to walk through some of that so that I can honestly assess where it belongs in my journey.  I will share some of my music and discuss how it helps me.  Feel free to interact.  As I always I value your comments Dear Reader.

The Secret Language of Birds – Ian Anderson

This sparkling wine is all but empty

Too late for trains and no taxis

I know the feeling, seems all too contrived

There was no master plan but the fact is

You must stay with me and learn the secret language of birds

A tentative dawn about to be breaking

On a Rousseau garden with monkeys in hiding

And the truth of the matter, yet to be spoken

In words on which everything, everything's riding

Now stay with me and learn the secret language of birds

Now stay with me and learn the secret language of birds

Circled by swallows in a world for the weary

Courted by warblers, wicked and eloquent trilling

Lie in the stillness, window cracked open

Extended moments, hours for the taking

Careless hair on the pillow, a bold brush stroke

Painted verse with a chorus, the chorus in waiting

Stay with me and learn the secret language of birds

Yeah, stay with me and learn the secret language of birds

Stay with me and learn the secret language of birds

Now, stay with me and learn the secret language of birds

Yeah, stay with me and learn the secret language of birds

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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