You Were Never Meant to Carry This – Bondage

Greetings Dear Reader,

We are bound to so many things.  We are tied to our possessions, careers, habits, and addictions.  We are bound by the consequences of our choices.   We seek freedom but shackle ourselves to things that prevent true freedom. 

We are meant to be free from the things that hinder the journey.  Joy comes from the freedom to make the journey without burdens.  It is not freedom from obligation or responsibility.  It is not freedom from commitment or duty to others.  It is that all of this must spring from our commitment to follow Christ.

It is only in Christ that we find freedom from our bondage to the things that enslave us.  We live and move in Christ.  Freedom is found in obedience to the journey.  We will eventually be free from all that besieges us.  Until then we can find freedom to follow by refusing to carry the things that hinder our walk.

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.”

(͡° ͜ʖ ͡°)

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.”

(͡° ͜ʖ ͡°)

The Clauses in our thoughts – Closing Thoughts

Greetings Dear Reader,

Thomas Traherne said that “to think well is to serve God in the interior court.”  My mind is constantly the source of my worst criticism, my deepest sins, and my greatest successes.  Controlling my thoughts increases my ability to do well.

It is the moment that I must capture.  I think well long term.  I have had an excellent education thanks to the sacrifices of my parents.  I have read thousands of books.  I have written several.  I have ten years of post-secondary education.  I had worked as a college professor for twenty.  I know how to think.

The thinking I must master daily is the thought of the moment.  It is the thoughts born of emotion that are the dangerous ones.  When I feel fear or anger the next thought is the one I must control.  I must burst the thought bubbles that are negative, hateful, unkind, and selfish. 

It is the clauses in my thoughts, when not controlled by faith and following that get me into trouble.  It is my responsibility to assure that every idle thought is brought into captivity in faith. 

So as I toss out the thoughts and questions that dance through my mind I must assure that I kill the ones that are harmful, selfish, and unloving.  I must also assure that I nature and give full life to those thoughts that are wholesome and good. 

“Finally, Dear Reader, keep your thoughts on whatever is right or deserves praise: things that are true, honorable, fair, pure, acceptable, or commendable.”  ATT – If I focus on this type of thinking the environment will not be suitable for thoughts that are inappropriate.

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 by a 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

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.”

(͡° ͜ʖ ͡°)

My King – …You Can’t Live Without Him

Greetings Dear Reader,

I realize that what I am about to write sounds arrogant, exclusive, and narrow.  I also know that it is possible for something to sound that way, be true, and not be unkind.  You cannot live without Jesus full stop.  I do not mean the pasty Jesus of Renaissance era portraits.  Neither do I mean the fake demanding unloving Jesus portrayed by many “Christian” organizations.

I mean the living Son of God who died so that you could live.  I mean the God/man who could have turned us to dust but chose to live among us and pay for our crimes.  I mean the humble King who road into Jerusalem on a donkey knowing the ones who cheered him on would call for his death within the week.

I wonder Dear Reader when was the last time you looked at Jesus without all the senseless trappings for religion and politics.  He is so much more than anyone can portray.  He is what sustains us even when we hate him.  Jesus is the answer.  He is the answer to every question.

I realize that sounds simplistic and there many complex questions that follow that statement.  Every answer, however, must proceed from a foundation.  That foundation is Jesus.  If you do not honestly look at my King how can you be certain that you do not need him?

All he asks for is everything.  All he starts with, however, is asking for a little faith.  That tiny step, not a leap, is all it takes to begin the journey.  He will meet you where you are.  No one needs to do anything first.  That would be like trying to clean the house before the maid comes.  It would be like trying t get better so you can do see the doctor. 

It is by faith through grace that we are accepted.  It is not by ANYTHING we can do.  In him we live, and move, and have our being.  That’s my King.  I wonder, have you really looked at him?

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 by a 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

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.”

(͡° ͜ʖ ͡°)