Second Thoughts ~ Looking Down the Path

Greetings Dear Reader,

As the second month of the year slips rapidly through the glass, I must be sure that I fulfill my obligations on the business side of my efforts.  Here is a glimpse of what to expect this year from my writing:

My first non-fiction work is complete and on the path toward publication.  It is an interactive devotional based on the book of Ephesians.  The title is Thoughts and Questions on Ephesians.   A sample will be forthcoming in early March.  Previews are available on my Patreon page. 

Later in the year, I am hoping that both my Christmas novels will reach the shelves and ether for your reading pleasure.  The first is a collection of Christmas short stories published as The Twelve Tales of Christmas.  The second is a novel set in the same cycle as Foster Father of God and The Praetor.  It is titled Magi: The Gift Bearers.

I am currently working on another novel in the Jesus Cycle, The Judas Scroll.  I am also writing the second devotional in the Thoughts and Questions series on Galatians.  I have outlined the next two and plan on at least six more after that.  I do, however, need your assistance Dear Reader.  Here is what you can do:

How to support my writing without buying a thing:

• Visit my actual blog page www.aramisthorn.blogspot.com .
• Comment on my posts regularly on Facebook or my blog page even if it is just an Emoji.
• Use the WOW or Love button instead of just the Like button.
• Share my posts on your page.
• Download my FREE eBook sample from my Amazon page.  Sheetrock on the Road: Leftover Panels .  You can even give this as a gift to others.
• Write a review of one of my books.  AMAZON

How to support me by spending a little money:

• For as little as $3.00 a month you can support me on Patreon.  This will give you access to previews, events, and bonus writing content. https://www.patreon.com/aramisthorn
• Buy the eBook form of Sheetrock on the Road (full novel, Kindle edition) and write a review of it.

Other ways to support my writing that you might like:

• Choose one of the higher support tiers at Patreon: 
• Have me speak at your event:  Email to ask for Bookings at aramisthorn@aramisthorn.com
• Buy my novels for all of your friends and family: Amazon                              
• Visit my Web Page:  www.aramisthorn.com

 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 homeowner. He liberally hands out new and old things from his great treasure store.”

(͡° ͜ʖ ͡°)

Contacts for Aramis Thorn:

Support Page on Patreon: www.patreon.com/aramisthorn

Novels on Amazon             

Web Page:  www.aramisthorn.com

Bookings: aramisthorn@aramisthorn.com

Facebook        Google +    Twitter     

Medium   Instagram  Kids BLOG   

This BLOG:  http://aramisthorn.blogspot.com/ 

Second Thoughts ~ September Solicitations

Greetings Dear Reader,

With the leaves beginning to turn we turn our thoughts toward evenings by the fire, warm beverages, a cozy blanket, and a good book.  Please consider adding me to your fall reading lists.  As I try to move forward in my writing career book sales are one of the things I depend upon.

You may wish to also include my books, available HERE, on your seasonal shopping lists.  I am also available for appearances to speak to your students, book club, or coffee circle about writing or almost any topic brought to mind by my musings.  Feel free to write to bookings@aramisthorn.com to inquire.   

If you wish to follow my daily blog you can reach that here:  http://aramisthorn.blogspot.com/ .  I read every comment and try to answer every question.  I value greatly your part in my journey Dear Reader.  Please be sure to comment on and share my observations and questions whenever you wish.

Entry suggestions for the Devotional Book are closed and we are working on the format.  I also have finished the draft of my first children’s book and am looking for an illustrator.  Let me know if you are interested or know of someone who is.  I hope the that autumn is kind to you and also the spring to my friends on the southern side of the equator.

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 ͡°)

Contacts for Aramis Thorn:

This BLOG:  http://aramisthorn.blogspot.com/ 

Facebook      Google +   

Twitter            Medium    

Kids BLOG

Novels on Amazon             

Bookings at aramisthorn@aramisthorn.com

Say Something ~ Closing Thoughts

Greetings Dear Reader,

We all hunger to feel that others care about us.  Even when we do not realize it, we benefit from both receiving and giving kind words.  This part of my journey has been to focus on giving them.

Kind words are honey to the soul

The day unfolds and I will interact with other humans.  I will choose how I treat them.  I will impact others for good or ill.  My heart is to always leave others better than I found them.  The desire is to allow others to feel valued and loved. 

The choice is to greet everyone with kindness.  When I succeed it does not matter whether I know the impact or not.  My obligation is to put good things into the mix.  I must do so selflessly.  I must do so with great kindness and love. 

The day consists of the footprints I leave as I walk through the lives of others whilst I attempt to follow Christ.  In that attempt I can leave a path of kind words that will make a difference for others.  Whether I ever know the impact or not, I must do so.  The Father is responsible for the results.  When we meet, Dear Reader, I have a kind word for you.  Count on 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.”

(͡° ͜ʖ ͡°)

Contacts for Aramis Thorn:

This BLOG:  http://aramisthorn.blogspot.com/ 

Facebook      Google +   

Twitter            Medium    

Kids BLOG

Novels on Amazon             

Bookings at aramisthorn@aramisthorn.com

Say Something ~ The Strategy of Silence

Greetings Dear Reader,

My Grandfather used to tell me, “It often shows a fine command of the language to say nothing.”  He usually did this when he wished for me to listen instead of talk.  He also mastered the art of saying nothing in a way that gave deafening approval.

When I threw my first successful curve ball, he tossed the pitch back to me without a word and gave me the two sign for another one.  He repeated this six times allowing me to master the move and the feel without instruction or interruption.  His strategy of silence let me know that he was there but that I was the focus.

Sometimes the best way to say something is to say nothing.  We can encourage and show approval without a word.  We put others at ease or reveal that we are patient with silence if we work at it.  We even have a family signal to tell each other “I love you” without a word. 

We can and do say so much with silent communication.  Perhaps we should be more intentional about it.  It is possible to discipline ourselves to communicate silently in a way that builds up and benefits others.  It is a matter of choice and action.

I work at practicing this.  I strive to put people at ease with kind gestures and actions.  I can do more.  I can be more intentional in showing love, patience, and kindness without words.  I can encourage through silence and build up others.  I want to say something powerful and good even when I am employing a strategy of silence. 

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 ͡°)

Contacts for Aramis Thorn:

This BLOG:  http://aramisthorn.blogspot.com/ 

Facebook      Google +   

Twitter            Medium    

Kids BLOG

Novels on Amazon             

Bookings at aramisthorn@aramisthorn.com

Say Something ~ Encouragement

Greetings Dear Reader,

Throughout my teaching life I have observed that when encouraged, students perform better.  We must correct and guide but we are privileged to encourage.  When others take the risk of learning from us in any situation encouragement is the fuel that powers effort. 

When we encourage others, we let them know that they are not alone.  We give them a place to stand whilst they try.  If you look, right there in the word is “courage”.  It takes courage to try new things, to learn, or to change for the good. 

I know good people who withhold encouragement on purpose.  They think that being a hard task master helps.  It can be good to be firm but even in that we can provide encouragement.  We are meant to build up each other.  We are designed to be fueled by the positive kindness of others.

I can run for a long time on a kind word.  When you encourage me I dig in and do more.  I have observed that others are like this as well.  We feel more than good when others encourage us.   There is motivation and hope in genuine encouragement.

It is vital that I encourage others whenever possible.  I try to do so genuinely on purpose every day.  I challenge you to do the same Dear Reader.  “I can live for two months on a good compliment.” —Mark Twain.

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 ͡°)

Contacts for Aramis Thorn:

This BLOG:  http://aramisthorn.blogspot.com/ 

Facebook      Google +   

Twitter            Medium    

Kids BLOG

Novels on Amazon             

Bookings at aramisthorn@aramisthorn.com

Say Something ~ Facial Expressions

Greetings Dear Reader,

We all know that only a small percentage of our communication is what we see.  Body language, emotion, and facial expressions comprise most of our communication.  We may control our words but do we make sure the rest confirms them?

Instead, however, of dwelling on the negative, I want to think about how we can use our facial expressions to say something positive.  At a recent funeral, the man who has passed away was remember by many with a phrase similar to this; “He always had a smile and a kind word for you.”  It was not just his words but his face that communicated his kindness.

We need to be people whose eyes, mouth, and face communicate kindness.  One of the things that we fail to do is really engage with people in the moment.  When we make eye contact and allow good things to show on our faces we make a genuine difference.  As I have become more intentional about what my face says to others I can see that difference.

A friend recently said that when he saw me coming he felt better because he knew I would smile at him.  Since a facial expression can make such an impact we must monitor that impact.  We say things with our faces constantly.  We communicate our feelings without a word.  When we focus on kindness and love for others we can communicate it even when we say nothing. 

I must discipline my thoughts so that when they translate to my face there is no dichotomy.  It is required that I be kind to others.  Further, that kindness must be genuine.  If it is, then it will translate to my expressions.  It will be easier to communicate good things to others with integrity.  Never underestimate the power of a kind look.

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 ͡°)

Contacts for Aramis Thorn:

This BLOG:  http://aramisthorn.blogspot.com/ 

Facebook      Google +   

Twitter            Medium    

Kids BLOG

Novels on Amazon             

Bookings at aramisthorn@aramisthorn.com

Say Something ~ Kind Words

Greetings Dear Reader,

One of the mysteries of following Christ is that we do not know the outcome of all we do until the end of all we do.  We are supposed to do good things in secret.  We are not supposed to look for reward or recognition.  Our purpose and motivations are to be external and pure.  Not knowing the outcome can aid in this if we allow it.

This preamble is a lead-in to the understanding of how much impact kind words can have.  If I make the effort to be kind knowing that I will not know the outcome, I can more freely offer kindness without being concerned about myself.

One of the areas where this is a dire need in our culture is the simple offering of kind words.  When we say something kind and unexpected we rarely know what difference it will really make.  Sometimes, however, we get a glimpse.

Recently I went into a diner that I visit infrequently but enjoy.  My server was the same young lady who waited on me four months ago.  When she saw me at the door she immediately came up to me and showed me to a table in her section.  Before I could get out a proper greeting she teared up and started talking.

“I have been hoping you would come back.  What you said to me last time you were here has changed everything.  I am in school.  I am working toward my dream job and I am so much more hopeful than when we met in January.”

She went on to explain that when I visited the diner in January she was about to leave the city and move to what would have turned out to be a bad situation.  The people she was planning to live with had all gotten into serious trouble.  Since business was slow, we talked about her future for the next hour as I enjoyed my breakfast.

It took some time to remember what I had said to her on my first visit with her.  I remembered eventually that I was impressed with her vocabulary and complimented her on it.  She was articulate and intelligent.  We had a great conversation about words and their use.  I mentioned that her voice was also one that was easy to listen to. 

What I did not know was that she had always wanted to work in radio.  She had an opportunity to get a scholarship in that field but was not confident enough to take it.  Apparently, our short conversation tipped the balance.

I could only be a part of this good thing because I try to always find something kind and genuine to say to someone.  Doing this makes an impact whether I ever see it or not.  It leaves behind seeds of hope that I may never see bloom.  In this instance I was blessed to see the outcome of my practice. 

We are supposed to encourage and build up each other.  We are designed to be kind.  Our words have so much more power than we realize.  I must be kind whenever possible.  I must also be kind whenever it seems impossible.  The reward is in the act.  Say something kind Dear Reader.  It will make a difference.

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 ͡°)

Contacts for Aramis Thorn:

This BLOG:  http://aramisthorn.blogspot.com/ 

Facebook      Google +   

Twitter            Medium    

Kids BLOG

Novels on Amazon             

Bookings at aramisthorn@aramisthorn.com

Say Something ~ Opening Thoughts

Greetings Dear Reader,

I have always been fascinated by the hour glass.  I often use the metaphor of the hour glass to focus on the passage of time.   One of my reasons for this is that each grain of sand represents a moment to me.  As that grain passes through the pinch I see it passing through the present.  I think you get the idea.

There are moments; moments when we know what to say and who needs to hear it.  It often is true that we see that moment as it hits the pinch.  Instead, however, we sit silent as the moment passes.  We let it fall from the future, through the present, into the past without grasping the opportunity.

I have areas of my life where I, perhaps, should say things but I do not.  Moreover, I have often spoken when I should have remained silent.  Since there is balance required in all things, I clearly have had to learn it here. 

Over the next few days I will try to deepen my balance by thinking through when I should and should not speak.  I primarily need to deepen my understanding of when I should speak.  I need to deepen my ability to grasp the moment and say what needs to be said.

Please walk with me for a bit whilst we speak about speaking.  I want to learn how to better say things that encourage and enlighten.  I desire to follow Christ more closely by using words to build up others.  As always Dear Reader, your questions and comments are welcome.

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 ͡°)

Contacts for Aramis Thorn:

This BLOG:  http://aramisthorn.blogspot.com/ 

Facebook      Google +   

Twitter            Medium    

Kids BLOG

Novels on Amazon             

Bookings at aramisthorn@aramisthorn.com