Home to House - Arranging Things - Books

Greetings Dear Reader,

In the Discworld novels written by the late Terry Pratchett there is a librarian who is an Orangutan.   The theory is that libraries are the most powerful places in the multiverse because knowledge is power.

Much of my time when I was younger involved books.  I love diving into a good novel or reading through a well written commentary.  I value greatly the tomes that help me research and understand. 

I think that sometimes my books reproduce whilst I am not looking.  In the past fortnight I have, with help, moved seventy boxes of books.  I am attempting to arrange them.  With smaller space and the need to assure that what I need is at hand it is a task.

As I move each box to the place that will eventually host it contents I see a great deal that I wish to revisit.  I am also reminded of the many things these volumes have taught me.  I am thankful for the lessons learned and those yet to be learned.

I strive to be a man of the Book.  I strive to be that whilst not becoming too bookish.  I want knowledge but without pride.  I want wisdom with humility.   I need to dive back in to some of these silent speaking friends and remember the power they impart.

The Book around which I try to focus all my learning must remain center stage.  I must follow as closely as possible the things God expects of me.  I must reinvest my mind in the things that build it up.  I will do more than arrange.  I must rediscover.

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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Second Thoughts – Guards! Guards!

Greetings Dear Reader,

Sometimes I will end the day with thoughts that are important to get out.  Usually I just write them and put them in my journal folder.  I have chosen that on occasion I will share them with you Dear Reader.

When Death rides up to you, catches you in the moment, or sidles idly up to your door, he gets your attention.  It is his mission and he is not easily deterred.  He has been, of late, collecting people I admire and/or are dear to me. 

Today Death plied his trade with one of my five favorite authors.  After a noble battle with early onset Alzheimer’s disease Sir Terry Pratchett passed away today.  This loss is one of those that has lingered on the horizon for several years.  It is odd how the impending arrival of Death does not make his visits any easier.

The Disc World novels are ones I can read over and over.  There is wit, humor, and the chance to see what is wonderful about life in these tales.  Now there will be no news stories of Ankh Morpork or the Ramtop Mountains.  The Night Watch will fall silent and the Hogfather will visit only in our memories. 

Death will continue to visit.  He will arrive as he pleases and collect those he needs.  More and more often he will come for my peers and loved ones who are my contemporaries.  I love and respect Terry Pratchett.  I already miss his work and now I miss him. 

This loss of an artist in my craft reminds me that I am moving down the same path.  The loss of someone of such wit makes the world a sadder place.  The loss of anyone diminishes me.   So I raise a glass to a man who enriched me.  I raise song with rocks in it to his honor.  I search the sad faces of the residents of Discworld as they lose their Creator and I see in them an eternal testimony to his benevolence and love. 

Thank you Sir Terry Pratchett for touching my life and reminding me not to take anything too seriously.  We feel robbed of your presence and your stories.  But in your own words, “Death isn’t cruel – He is merely terribly terribly good at his job.”

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 ͡°)

Did You Hear? – Blessing and Cursing

Greetings Dear Reader,

Let me first say that I am not going to offer any partisan opinions here.  My point is to discuss an issue regarding all politicians and not to take sides in any debate. 

As long as there has been government there have been both good and bad politicians.  In his novel, Men at Arms, Terry Pratchett’s character Carrot makes mention that “policeman” comes from “Polis” and “Man”.  He insists that a policeman is a “Man of the City.”  The Patrician of the city, Vetinari asks Carrot if he knows the origin of the word “politician”. 

A politician is literally a citizen that serves the city.  There are those, however, who would deconstruct the word “politic” to be “Poly” and “tic” or many blood suckers.  Whilst I find that humorous but it also points to an abuse that is too easy to employ.  We constantly gossip about and slander political figures with whom we disagree. 

We are commanded to respect and pray for those who are our leadership.  We are told clearly that God sets up and deposes rulers.  When challenged on taxes Jesus insisted that we “render unto Caesar that which is Caesar’s”.  Paul requires us to respect those who rule over us even when they are dead wrong.

It does not matter which side of the isle you occupy.  It makes no difference how you feel about an issue.  We are not allowed to spew hatred and epithets about anyone in public office.  We required are to love them.  The person who is corrupt or stands for all the things we hate is still someone that God commands us to love.

We seem to have lost the ability in our culture to hold civil discourse over civil issues.  We hurl insults and indulge in dishonorable speculation.  We hate people we do not even know.  We deny people the opportunity to be heard and instead shout them down.  Someone I love dearly has done this to me over a political figure.  Instead of listening and hearing what I had to say he hurled insults at the political figure and at me.  He has no idea the damage it does.

I am required to be respectful no matter how I feel.  I am not allowed to hate anyone regardless of his or her political stance.  I must be involved and do my part as a member of this society.  I must always do so with love and respect.  I must disagree with deference to office and position.  I must follow Christ in every word I speak in this arena.

Jesus’ brother James weighed in on speech.  He said that as Christ followers we are not allowed to have blessing and cursing issue from the same mouth.  As with any other area, I must conduct myself first as a Christ follower and then as a proponent of an issue or supporter of a politician.  I must assure that my Christ centered conduct governs my political speech.  Otherwise I am bound to utter words that are unkind and unloving.  No matter how clever or well-crafted those words are I become just another banging gong when the words lack 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 ͡°)