If I Told You My Story – Closing My Thoughts

Greetings Dear Reader,

We all have a story.  Hearing and telling stories is one of my favorite things.  I love to hear a person’s story when I meet him or her.  It is joyful to me hear of a journey and begin to see how I can be of service to a new friend.

I love stories.  If I tell you mine it would be of tragedy and comedy.  It would be of a hurting child and depressed teen who was ransomed and redeemed by a loving God.  It would be of a man who fails sometimes.  It would be of fight to follow Christ. 

My story is one of standing between the living and the dead.  It is standing by the door for those who are searching.  It is fighting for good and righteousness both internally and externally. 

Jesus is the reason I have a story.  He is the reason I am here to tell it.  Today is a day to continue the story.  It is a day to add victory to it.  Even though it is a Monday and you may have to drag yourself out of bed, it is a new day.  It is a day with opportunity.  It is a leap day.  So Dear Reader we should agree to add something to our story.  We should commit to making it the best day we can.  I dare you to move.

Dare You To Move - Switchfoot

Welcome to the planet

Welcome to existence

Everyone's here

Everyone's here

Everybody's watching you now

Everybody waits for you now

What happens next

What happens next

I dare you to move

I dare you to move

I dare you to lift yourself up off the floor

I dare you to move

I dare you to move

Like today never happened

Today never happened before

Welcome to the fallout

Welcome to resistance

The tension is here

Tension is here

Between who you are and who you could be

Between how it is and how it should be

I dare you to move

I dare you to move

I dare you to lift yourself up off the floor

I dare you to move

I dare you to move

Like today never happened

Today never happened before

Maybe redemption has stories to tell

Maybe forgiveness is right where you fell

Where can you run to escape from yourself?

Where you gonna go?

Where you gonna go?

Salvation is here

I dare you to move

I dare you to move

I dare you to lift yourself up off the floor

I dare you to move

I dare you to move

Like today never happened

Today never happened

Today never happened

Today never happened before

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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If I Told You My Story – Jesus

Greetings Dear Reader,

If I told you my story it would be about Jesus.  To tell my story is to tell of him.  The ongoing influence of my Grandfather in my life is because of his love for Jesus.  The reason I did not take my own life is because a man took  the time to show me the kindness of Jesus. 

The story of the universe is his story.  I am a part of that story.  I am important enough to that story that he seeks me in it.  He wants me as his own.  He loves me.  I think that we need to regularly look at who Jesus is.  We need to ignore the things people pile on to following Christ and look at the man who asks us to follow him.

He accepts us by faith.  He holds us unconditionally.  He wants us to follow him in treating others well.  We add all the judgement, condemnation, and rules that make him seem unapproachable.  The Gospel is simple.  My story is one of Jesus coming to seek and save me.

Blessed Assurance – Third Day

Blessed assurance, Jesus is mine!

O what a foretaste of glory divine!

Heir of salvation, purchase of God

Born of his Spirit, washed in his blood

This is my story, this is my song

Praising my Savior all the day long

This is my story, this is my song

Praising my Savior all the day long

Perfect submission, perfect delight

Visions of rapture now burst on my sight

Angels, descending, bring from above

Echoes of mercy, whispers of love

Perfect submission, all is at rest

I in my Savior am happy and blessed

Watching and waiting, looking above

Filled with his goodness, lost in his 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.”

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If I Told You My Story – Assurances

Greetings Dear Reader,

We engage in so many things to assure that things will be the way we wish.  We make promises, sign contracts, and take vows.  We give our word.  We enter into quid pro quo agreements.

We enter into “if/then” arrangements promising to do our part if someone else does his or her part.  We even falsely treat marriage as a fifty/fifty arrangement.  In marriage we take one way vows. We give assurances that we will stay faithful to the bond no matter what.  We make an unconditional vow.

If I told you my story it would be of the Father’s unconditional vow.  He has redeemed me from the penalty of my sin because of what his Son, Jesus did for me.  Jesus assures us that all that the Father gives him he will neither lose nor throw away.  By all he means us.   Just like the Father did with Abraham in the Old Testament Jesus makes a one way vow to us. 

The story of redemption is one of a Creator coming to redeem that which he has lost.  He even uses the metaphor of the bridegroom coming to find his bride.  He uses this to show his singular commitment to our reclamation.  He would rather die than live without us.

My story is one of failure and restoration.   I failed and the Father provided a way for me to find redemption.  I, like every other human, is the reason that the Father sent the Son.  All he asks is that I accept his gift.  He assures me that all will unfold as it should and he would like me to be a part of it. 

This is a story that spans all of human history.  The Father assures us that he will bring us home.  Jesus comes to lead us there and asks that we follow in faith.  He loves us and wants us to have all that he has for us.  He wants us to love each other on the journey. 

I spoke with a dear friend yesterday who reminded me just how much baggage we try to pack into that journey.  We add tasks, obstacles, and burdens to the journey that have nothing to do with the Father’s plan for redemption.  We require tasks that “assure” us that we have God’s favor when he offers it freely.  We demand that others observe certain rituals when the Father only wants us to love him. 

My story is one of unconditional positive regard from a Creator who loves me.  How about your Dear Reader?  Have you really pondered how much the Father assures you of his love no matter where you are?  I would love to hear that story.

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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If I Told You My Story – A Never Ending Story

Greetings Dear Reader,

Yesterday my Son was trying to explain being related by blood to my Grandsons without getting too deep into the reproduction story.  He and I stumbled around it for a bit.  I do not know if we explained it to him well but it caused me to think about the ancestry about which I know.

My natural father was adopted by my paternal grandparents.  I do not really know my paternal family past my progenitor.  I know a great deal about my maternal family.  I know much about the history of my adoptive father’s family.  The stories involved around all three are interesting to me.

I think that what we lose is that every story is connected.  We are all related no matter how you think we got here.  We all have stories and they are connected.  From the beginning of man the story stretches through time until it reaches us.

When I ponder Jesus’ command to love our neighbors this comes into the conversation.  Even if I consider that it is only through our place in as humans we are all related in some way.  Jesus’ place in that story stretches to both ends of human history.

The never ending story that is redemption of man has at its center the love of Jesus.  If I tell my story I cannot tell it without either accepting or rejecting this.  I choose to accept it.  I desire to live it. 

It is a story about how our Creator went to the extreme to redeem us.  He made us and then he bought us.  We cannot tell our story without considering that we are all connected through our humanity.  The never ending aspect of that story is that we are also all connected through Christ.  If I believe this then I must treat everyone with love and respect.  It is what Christ wishes me 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.”

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If I Told You My Story – There would be Kindness

Greetings Dear Reader,

Kindness is very important to me.  This part of my story is not about my being kind.  That is vital.  I want to focus for a moment on the kindness of Jesus.  I wonder if we truly ponder how kind Jesus is.

We see plenty of pejorative mocking in social media.  The poor examples of those who claim to follow Jesus are easy to find.  Heinous things done in his name bring shame to the history of the Church.  At times we are very poor examples of the kindness of Jesus.

It is the kindness that draws me to Christ.  His history is that of caring and compassion.  We see him feeding the poor, healing the sick, an d demanding that we do the same.  Everything about Jesus is a journey of kindness aimed at redemption. 

It is the kindness of Jesus that draws us to see his love and sacrifice for us.  It is the kindness that earns him the right to be heard.  He shows us his love by extending that love to us even when we reject him. 

If I tell you my story you would hear of the kindness of Jesus that draws me to him.  How about you Dear Reader?  Have you really seen the kindness that Christ presents?  Tell me a story.

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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If I Told You My Story – Mercy Wins

Greetings Dear Reader,

Justice must be served but the Father still wished for mercy to win.  Without mercy from the Father justice served leaves us all condemned.  I remember someone important to me once telling me that she did not wish for there to be consequences when she did wrong (no it was not my Daughter). 

There is always a consequence to what we do.  When I give lease to my anger, selfishness, or greed I do damage to others.  The results, whether small or great, are harmful.  The same is true with the Father.  Our failure demanded that we be separated from the Father. 

We do not really understand the nature of mercy in our culture.  If I tell you my story justice is served but mercy still wins.  It is the death of Christ that brings us the opportunity for mercy without violating the justice of the Father.  He sends the Son to die and rise so that we have the chance for mercy. 

Mercy is the necessary component to redemption that our pride resists.  It is the admission of our need for mercy that leads us to accepting it in faith through grace.  My story is filled with examples of mercy undeserved.  It is in that moment of realizing my need for mercy that I see so clearly the cost of my sin. 

My story requires mercy for there to be hope.    How about you Dear Reader?  Do you see your need for mercy?  Do you have a story to share with me?

Mercy – Matt Redman

I will kneel in the dust

at the foot of the cross,

where mercy paid for me.

Where the wrath I deserve,

it is gone, it has passed.

Your blood has hidden me.

Mercy, mercy,

as endless as the sea.

I'll sing Your hallelujah

for all eternity.

We will lift up the cup

and the bread we will break,

remembering Your love.

We were fallen from grace,

but You took on our shame

and nailed it to a cross.

Mercy, mercy,

as endless as the sea.

I'll sing Your hallelujah

for all eternity.

May I never lose the wonder,

oh, the wonder of Your mercy.

May I sing Your hallelujah.

Hallelujah, Amen.

May I never lose the wonder,

oh, the wonder of Your mercy.

May I sing Your hallelujah.

Hallelujah, Amen.

[repeat]

I will kneel in the dust

at the foot of the cross,

where mercy paid 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.”

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If I Told You My Story – Justice is Served

Greetings Dear Reader,

We live in a nation where justice is a cornerstone of our society.   Kipling refers to God as having abstract justice.  I find his justice to be very specific.  The Law of Moses meets out very specific penalties.  It is clear that there is a price for sin.  Overall that price is death.

We all owe a death.  It is the price for our own sin and separation from the Father.  One of the hindrances of our society is that we feel we do not owe this debt.  We think that we are autonomous from accountability to God.  I am not a “hell and damnation” kind of guy.  I am an accountability kind of guy. 

Freedom is not free.  It demands that there be a structure of law to support justice under that freedom.   Freedom without law leads to anarchy.   Law without justice leads to no freedom.  Freedom in Christ, redemption, and reclamation require that God’s justice be satisfied. 

Since the standard of justice is the righteousness of God my sin can only be paid for by one who is perfect.  This is what necessitates the incarnation and the crucifixion.   The death of the Soon is what satisfies the justice of the Father.   If I told you my story you see justice satisfied for me by Jesus.

In the story justice must be served.  We get that.  My story is one where I do not deserve the love and compassion of God.  Christ makes the way to that love, compassion, and forgiveness possible by his death and resurrection.  The Lenten season is a time for me to review the process.  Sin yields death.  That is the penalty demand by justice.  Jesus pays that penalty on our behalf.  His resurrection assures us that the Father has accepted that payment.  Our faith is the acceptance of that payment on our behalf. 

It really is that simple.  If I told you my store you would see justice that is satisfied.  How about you Dear Reader?

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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If I Told You My Story – You Would Hear Freedom

Greetings Dear Reader,

We are tethered to things.   One of those is our fallen nature.  We sin.  If you think that you do not ask your family.   Jesus’ best friend John writes that if we “say we do not sin we lie and the truth is not in us.” 

One of the things we tend to forget is that we are not free.  We may be socially free because we live in a certain country.   We may live a lifestyle that makes us believe we are free from social mores or traditions.  We may even convince ourselves that we are free from accountability to the Father.

We are not free.  We belong to God.  He gives us freedom under certain conditions.  Please keep in mind that I believe we are created beings.  Freedom exits under constraints.  Total freedom is an illusion.   Christ has given us freedom form the penalty of our fallenness.  We are only free within Christ.

My story has freedom from drugs I used to abuse.  It has freedom from anger.  My desire to control used to control me but Jesus frees me from this (sometimes daily).  It is in Christ that we find freedom with obedience.  It is in Christ that we are free to be all that we are created to become. 

There are unspeakable things that I would become without freedom from it in Christ.  It is in following Jesus that our obedience leads to freedom.  I am free in Christ and a slave to sin outside of him.  If I told you my story you would hear freedom won for me by Christ’s submission to an undeserved death.   How about you Dear Reader?  Do you have a story of freedom?  I would love to hear it.

Joy in the Journey – Michael Card

There is a joy in the journey

There's a light we can love on the way

There is a wonder and wildness to life

And freedom for those who obey

And all those who seek it shall find it

A pardon for all who believe

Hope for the hopeless and sight for the blind

To all who've been born of the Spirit

And who share incarnation with Him

Who belong to eternity stranded in time

And weary of struggling with sin

Forget not the hope that's before you

And never stop counting the cost

Remember the hopelessness when you were lost

There is a joy in the journey

There's a light we can love on the way

There is a wonder and wildness to life

And freedom for those who obey

And freedom for those who obey

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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If I Told You My Story – There would be Victory

Greetings Dear Reader,

All good stories involve the pursuit of victory over something.   It is unfortunate that this word has been mostly co-opted by politicians and athletes.  We have enemies.   Some of them are quite subtle. 

Paul reminds us that we do not war against flesh and blood.  We are in a way pitched against both earthly and not earthly powers that seem bent on keeping us from doing two things.  They want us to refrain from loving God and from loving each other in the way that we should.

My story includes so many moments where I had to choose right from wrong.  I did not always choose right.  I still carry some of the scars form those poor choices.   It is in the big battel that we have the real victory.   It is in the war against evil that we are guaranteed the final win.

If I told you my story there would be many times where victory over evil seemed impossible but was achieved.   There are also times where I snatched defeat from the jaws of victory.  I get in the way of winning so many times.   I think that I can arrange an outcome that is beyond me. 

The best way for my story to reflect the victory we have in Christ is that I follow faithfully.  I must live what I believe in this way.  I must obey knowing that Christ has the victory in hand.  He is constantly working out the end.  I must not interfere.  If I really believe this then I need fear nothing. 

Whom Shall I Fear – Chris Tomlin

ou hear me when I call

You are my morning song

Though darkness fills the night

It cannot hide the light

Whom shall I fear

You crush the enemy

Underneath my feet

You are my sword and shield

Though troubles linger still

Whom shall I fear

I know who goes before me

I know who stands behind

The God of angel armies

Is always by my side

The one who reigns forever

He is a friend of mine

The God of angel armies

Is always by my side

My strength is in Your name

For You alone can save

You will deliver me

Yours is the victory

Whom shall I fear

Whom shall I fear

I know who goes before me

I know who stands behind

The God of angel armies

Is always by my side

The one who reigns forever

He is a friend of mine

The God of angel armies

Is always by my side

And nothing formed against me shall stand

You hold the whole world in Your hands

I'm holding on to Your promises

You are faithful

You are faithful

And nothing formed against me shall stand

You hold the whole world in Your hands

I'm holding on to Your promises

You are faithful

You are faithful

You are faithful

I know who goes before me

I know who stands behind

The God of angel armies

Is always by my side

The one who reigns forever

He is a friend of mine

The God of angel armies

Is always by my side

I know who goes before me

I know who stands behind

The God of angel armies

Is always by my side

The one who reigns forever

He is a friend of mine

The God of angel armies

Is always by my side

The God of angel armies

Is always by my side

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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If I Told You My Story – Grace that is Greater

Greetings Dear Reader,

My story requires heaps of grace.  I flounder and fail.  I doubt and deny.  Not a day goes by where there are not a least moments where I fail to follow as I should.  I want to be perfect.   I want to never fail to love the Father and my fellow humans as I should.

The failures in my story require copious grace that is greater than all my sin.  Fortunately for me that grace exists.  If I speak of grace then I speak of a God who knows how much I need it and is willing to provide it.  He is willing to be hated, to be beaten, and to die to produce it.  

The journey through the Lenten season is not just about something to do whilst waiting for Holy Week.  It is the time to make space for God.  It is the time to embrace the grace that is given to us so that we can have love, life, and peace. 

I have a challenge for you Dear Reader.  I have just done the same.  Over three centuries ago John Newton realized that his life had been visited by God’s grace over and over because he was merely alive.  He had been a slave of slaves in Africa.  He is life had been one of Jonah quality running from the Father’s grace.  He came to the place where he could no longer deny its presence.

The challenge is to really listen to the words to John Newton’s immortal song, Amazing Grace.   I listened to seven different versions to find the one posted below.  It is not the best but contains all of the verses.  It is grace that gets us home from this long journey.  I value your thoughts Dear Reader.

Amazing Grace – John Newton – Performed by Chelsea Robinson

Amazing Grace, how sweet the sound,

That saved a wretch like me.

I once was lost but now am found,

Was blind, but now I see.

T'was Grace that taught my heart to fear.

And Grace, my fears relieved.

How precious did that Grace appear

The hour I first believed.

Through many dangers, toils and snares

I have already come;

'Tis Grace that brought me safe thus far

and Grace will lead me home.

The Lord has promised good to me.

His word my hope secures.

He will my shield and portion be,

As long as life endures.

Yea, when this flesh and heart shall fail,

And mortal life shall cease,

I shall possess within the veil,

A life of joy and peace.

When we've been there ten thousand years

Bright shining as the sun.

We've no less days to sing God's praise

Than when we've first begun.

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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If I Told You My Story – If I Should Speak

Greetings Dear Reader,

I am a storyteller by nature, heart, and passion.  I love to tell stories.  I find great joy in bringing a listener to the moment of humor, tragedy, or joy in a a story.  I love watching a face discover where I am heading. 

If I told you my story there are many such moments.   Sheetrock on the Road has some of them for you.  If, however, you want to know what I really speak of it this.  Jesus is real and he loves us.  You will find no hatred in my writing.  I do not hat anyone.  I try to love everyone.  If I should speak it should be loving and kind.

Even as I sit here forming these words, my pipe stump clenched firmly but gently in my teeth, the names of those who need to be loved more clearly pop into my mind.   I think of a coworker who angry and hurting in a way that makes him more prickly pear than person.  He is still a person.  If I should speak to him it needs to be kind and gentle.  It needs to be strong and firm to wade through his wall of reticence.

If I should speak it must be with love in my heart for anyone to whom I speak.  My story continues because a man named Ray did that for me.  It does not matter how witty my words are or how well I craft a clever line.  It is worthless blather if I do not love those to whom speak.  My words must be encouraging and kind.  My stories must all be love stories in some way. 

If I should speak Dear Reader, it must be of all the things that lead back to the love of Christ. It must be of love that is in my heart for you.  It is the greatest thing that last.

One Thing Remains – Jesus Culture

Higher than the mountains that I face

Stronger than the power of the grave

Constant through the trial and the change

One thing remains

One thing remains

Your love never fails it never gives up it never runs out on me

Your love never fails it never gives up it never runs out on me

Your love never fails it never gives up it never runs out on me

On and on and on and on it goes

It overwhelms and satisfies my soul

And I never ever have to be afraid

One thing remains

In death and in life I'm confident and covered by the power of your great love

My debt is paid there's nothing that can separate my heart from your great love

Your love never fails it never gives up it never runs out on me

Your love never fails it never gives up it never runs out on me

Your love never fails it never gives up it never runs out on me

Feel free to hold every Christ follower to this standard Dear Reader…

First Corinthians 13:1-13   

I may speak in the languages of humans and of angels. But if I don't have love, I am a loud gong or a clashing cymbal. I may have the gift to speak what God has revealed, and I may understand all mysteries and have all knowledge. I may even have enough faith to move mountains. But if I don't have love, I am nothing.  I may even give away all that I have and give up my body to be burned. But if I don't have love, none of these things will help me.   Love is patient. Love is kind. Love isn't jealous. It doesn't sing its own praises. It isn't arrogant.  It isn't rude. It doesn't think about itself. It isn't irritable. It doesn't keep track of wrongs.  It isn't happy when injustice is done, but it is happy with the truth.  Love never stops being patient, never stops believing, never stops hoping, never gives up.   Love never comes to an end. There is the gift of speaking what God has revealed, but it will no longer be used. There is the gift of speaking in other languages, but it will stop by itself. There is the gift of knowledge, but it will no longer be used. Our knowledge is incomplete and our ability to speak what God has revealed is incomplete But when what is complete comes, then what is incomplete will no longer be used.  When I was a child, I spoke like a child, thought like a child, and reasoned like a child. When I became an adult, I no longer used childish ways.  Now we see a blurred image in a mirror. Then we will see very clearly. Now my knowledge is incomplete. Then I will have complete knowledge as God has complete knowledge of me.  So these three things remain: faith, hope, and love. But the best one of these is 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.”

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