What is a Christian? ~ Closing

Greetings Dear Reader,

As I said yesterday, we are all flawed.   We are all imperfect.  Those who choose to follow Christ are supposed to be daily working at combating those flaws.  We are supposed to also be seeking grace and love for all those around us.  The flaws in others are the opportunity to evidence that grace.

This does not mean that there should not be a balance between righteousness, justice, and holiness.  It does mean that we must lower our expectations when dealing with those who do not follow Christ or are currently rejecting his authority in life.  We should never expect those not following Christ to act like him.  We should expect that those who are not following well will do wrong. 

It is a narrow path.  I know that I miss steps and falter at times.  The most difficult part is that when I fail it hurts others.  I am determined to become better at shorting time I indulge my failures.  I am going to find ways to follow more closely. 

What is Christian is, is a broken flawed human who has chosen to follow Christ in hopes of being more loving and kind.  The follower journeys with Christ to lean and replicate grace, mercy, joy, patience, humility, and balance.  I feel like have journeyed so very far but also that I have so far to go.  Thank your company 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.”

(͡° ͜ʖ ͡°)

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What is a Christian? ~ Flawed

Greetings Dear Reader,

This is one of those places where we become so myopic.  We see the flaws of others and think that ours may not be as bad.  We assign levels of degree to our sin so that we have people to judge. 

We are all flawed and we refuse to see that our flaws are part of the cognitive problem.  Our flaws are what cause us to not think properly of God and our neighbor.  They are what move us to think that the failings of others deserve judgment and ours deserve mercy and grace. 

I am flawed. I am a crooked stick with bumps and knots.  It is when I forget this that I begin to judge others and fail to love them.  It when others forget this that they blame and shame those around them to feel better about their own failures.   If we are going to think well, then we must realize that the only flaws we focus on is our own for the purpose of eradicating it. 

When we see the flaws in others or are impacted by them in a negative way, that is opportunity.  It is our opportunity to be loving, kind, and forgiving.  Sometimes it takes great effort or sacrifice to look past the flaws or others.  It is worth 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 ͡°)

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What is a Christian? ~ Wise

Greetings Dear Reader,

As I watch the changes in our culture I wonder if we understand any longer what wisdom is.  I will indulge first in defining the term.

Wisdom:  the quality of having experience, knowledge, and good judgment; the soundness of an action or decision with regard to the application of experience, knowledge, and good judgment.

In short, wisdom is the prudent application of knowledge and understanding.  It is using our minds to make choices that reflect an understanding of the requirements of following Christ.  It steps outside of what is legal, accepted, or allowed to ask what is wise.

Those who claim to be Christians must show wisdom in what they do with what they have.  It is not wise to spend money on a grand church edifice when there are starving people in its shadow.  It is not prudent to ignore the social needs of a community to protect standards that do not find their roots in living out the Gospel.

We are to be wise as individuals as well.  We are not to be cutting and cruel with out wisdom.  We are to be gentle and kind in it. This does not mean that we sacrifice being wise to being gracious and merciful.  It does mean that we balance them in love. 

This item has an identifier that begs another balance.  If we exercise real wisdom, we will often be seen as foolish.  That is just the way it is.  That which seems foolish when it comes to following Christ will be wise.  The common wisdom of the world will be foolish to those who follow Christ.

I must apply my thoughts to learning wisdom if I am going to follow Christ well.  As the world moves further from its understanding of what this is, I will appear more foolish.  We should be known for our wisdom in balance with our love for others.

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 ͡°)

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What is a Christian? ~ Fools

Greetings Dear Reader,

There are times when those who claim to follow Christ are fools.  They deny honest science.  They make up things to prove their faith that are unnecessary.  They pack more into what is required of Christ followers than is real.  What is real is hard enough.

These things that others represent that are false are foolish as they detract from the Gospel.  When we do things that detract it hurts us all.  It destroys any credit we might get for the good we do.

There are also things that appear to be foolish that are not if we are following Christ.  We forgive wrongs over and over again without belittling the guilty.  We give grace when it is undeserved.  We show mercy when we do not have to show it.  We put our faith in the future.  We have hope when things seem hopeless. 

When Christ followers act in these ways they are choosing cognitively to appear foolish for the sake of the Gospel.  We have weighed our options and chosen love and compassion over almost everything else.  We appear to be fools because when we are lied to, betrayed, and wronged we choose not to give retribution. 

We are not super human or above anyone else.  We bleed when we are pricked.  We laugh and we cry.  It is just that when we are wronged, we do not revenge.  When we have power, we do not abuse.  When we have abundance we share.  We think of others first. 

If you look for the good kind of fool you may find a real Christ follower.   They will not be perfect but they are worth knowing.  Watching them even in their failures can teach us how to be such a fool.

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 ͡°)

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What is a Christian? ~ Trust

Greetings Dear Reader,

From a cognitive perspective, I think that this is one of the things we get wrong.  Humans connect trust to emotion when it is really connected to knowledge and understanding.  It is the cognitive partner of faith.

People will violate our trust.  We either stop trusting or we continue in the knowledge that it will be violated again.   We get wounded when those we love violate our trust.  We put things at risk including our heart when we extend trust to others.  It is one of the areas where I take the most damage when it is violated.

If I hope to follow Christ and be seen as a Christ follower, I must put into place a way to weather the wounds of violated trust.   The problem comes when I put my trust in the wrong place.  When I am wounded by humans violating my trust I can only continue to do right if my trust is in Christ.  Jesus will not violate my trust.

Even when those I love the most violate all the things they say are true and trustworthy I must use my trust in Christ to keep from doing wrong.  I must use the knowledge that he has all things in his hands to continue to love those involved.  This is what a Christian is.  They continue to love and strive to do right even when maligned and belittled by others. 

If I do not trust Christ to have all things in his hands then I will not endure the damage done to me by others who violate my trust.  Trust in Christ, used as the solid ground on which to stand in love is the place to be.  It is the only place that works.  Sometimes it is lonely there. 

It is, however, the place where I can find the strength to keep following, refrain from anger, continue to love, and refuse to avenge.  Trust in Christ is a place to focus the mind so that the emotions can be managed.

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/ 

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All Hallows Eve 2014

Greetings Dear Reader,

To hallow something is to honor it as holy.  So many places the commercial aspect of Christmas has already shown its face to the complaints of many of my friends.  I choose to start my Christmas season every year on this day.  I do it quietly and seriously.

In preparation for my celebration of Christ’s birth and what the journey toward redemption means to me I begin with understanding All Hallows Eve.  I promise this will not be me soap-boxing concerning the devil, witches, and the macabre. In truth I find the “evil” aspect of the day boring.

What I do focus on is that we are all intended to be holy.  I do not mean that we are better than others or pious.  I mean that we are intended to be set apart for God’s purposes.  Everything we do should be with an eye to drawing closer to him.  Everything in which we engage should focus on obeying his primary directives to love him and love each other.

I cannot show love by bashing others.  I cannot show love by expecting those who do not believe to act like those who do believe.  Today I commit my heart to beginning a celebration of all that his set apart to God.  I will honor those who have journeyed to God before me.  I will consider the price that was paid for me to take this journey. 

I will set my heart apart for God as I attempt to do every morning.  I will marvel in the creativity of those around me.  I will join in taking my Grandsons trick-or-treating on a blustery night.  I will begin a 55 day celebration of the birth of Christ that includes attempts to be generous to others and show gratitude for all that I have.

With those things in place I can with a clear conscience and loving heart greet my friends, family, and strangers with an honest with for a happy Halloween,.

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 ͡°)

Christmas in August

Greetings Dear Reader,

Today my Daughter Christmas turns 25.  I have been pondering the lessons Christ has taught me with her in my life.  It amazes me how my intent was to help her but that Jesus had in mind for me to learn so much. 

The primary lesson I have learned is the depth to which God will go to show me that he is there.  I have

watched him heal and nurture this person in ways I have not imagined possible.  His provision for her needs is astounding.  In turn I see in her someone who will stop on the side of a highway to comfort the child of a family who has been in an accident. She has a giving spirit that wishes for everyone to be touched by her joy in Christ.

Her ability to accept people where they are teaches me much.  I have learned greatly how to love others without placing expectations on them.  I have also learned to put my own problems in perspective.  Give the path she has had to walk or sometimes crawl to get where she is my biggest problem is quite small.

It amazes me that someone who has endured so much can still be so positive and loving.  She still has much to learn and struggles at times with the process.  She does remind me daily just how much of a celebration life can be for those who know Christ and his power to work in our lives.  Having her in my life is like having a little bit of Christmas every day.   

Today I wish to simply celebrate her.  I hope you will join me Dear Reader in wishing her a happy birthday and much joy in her journey yet to come.

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."

Wondering Aloud About my Faith

Greetings Dear Reader,

By faith one was commended
For the sacrifice he made
Another out of holy fear
Built an ark the world to save
Another left his home land
And as a stranger he’d reside
But none received the promise then
So in faith they died - Michael Card

I have commented before that one of my weaknesses is that faith comes so easily for me. Yes you read that correctly. I see the ease of believing that I have as a weakness. It is a weakness because I selfishly forget that it is not the same for others. I have so often told others with great insensitivity to use their faith. I have been trying very diligently to overcome this malady. I regret that I have harmed others in my short sighted understanding of this area.

Beyond that I am growing in my understanding of just how central faith is to all that we do in following Christ. We are following something unseen yet not unknown. Our faith in all its insanity is still reasonable. It is not a platitude to say that we must use our faith to overcome all the adversity we faith. We still need to plan, work, and do those things that are wise and practical. We also need to use faith to shield us from the things in the world that cause hurt, doubt, anger, and fear.

If I do not do things with faith at the center of my doing then I am not following Christ. Christ insists that we do things that seem literally insane. It is not logical to love my enemies. It not logical to put myself in the path of those who have hurt my heart. It is not logical to treat others with forbearance and kindness in return for their treating me badly. None of this is logical but it is reasonable.

The truths of obeying Christ’s example are borne out repeatedly. When I respond in love to unkindness it is disarming. When I reach out to those who reject me then it makes a difference. When I depend on Christ and not others for my wellbeing then I am well. It is choosing that whether I receive the promise or not, I will die in faith if necessary.

This is not a martyr’s plea but rather a practical understanding of the ultimate result of faith. If I, moment by moment live in the belief that following Christ will result in things ultimately being better, then I can change the world around me. I do not need to obtain, possesses, or protect. I do not need to indulge my own greed. I do not have to win approval of others. I do not need to control. I do not need to get even or take revenge. I do not need to harbor the ills done to me. I need only to follow; to journey with Christ.

Faith understands and alters
In assures and calms our fears
It can shut the mouths of lions
And make sense of scars and tears
We persevere in hope
And with conscience clean and clear
We walk this fallen wilderness
With salvation’s pioneer – Michael Card

Wishing you joy in the journey,

Aramis Thorn
Mat 13:52 So Jesus said to them, "That is why every scribe who has become a disciple of the kingdom of heaven is like a home owner. He brings new and old things out of his treasure store."

Epiphany – Apostrophe

Greetings Beloved Readers,

Smee: I've just had an apostrophe.
Captain Hook: I think you mean an epiphany.
Smee: No... lightning has just struck my brain.
Captain Hook: Well, that must hurt.

Very often I have ideas that creep into my mind slowly after much thinking, careful researching, and zealous pipe pondering (for those of you who care nothing in the bowl but regular old Cavendish). Once in a great while though, I have an apostrophe err…epiphany.

Today is the feast of the Epiphany. It is the day we remember the visit of the Magi. So much tradition has grown up around the simple statements made by Matthew in the second chapter his Gospel. This was a big deal. At Christmas we sing We Three Kings and set up Melchior, Balthazar, and Caspar around the manger. Do we really consider the impact of this bit of the Advent story? I thought that on the Feast of Epiphany you might benefit from some observations about the visit of the Magi.

They were men of science: In those days there was not a distinction between Astronomy and Astrology.
They left their homes in search of a great King whose birth was heralded by the stars.
They brought expensive gifts to honor this King and inquired at Jerusalem, Israel’s capital for the new King’s whereabouts.
It was not just Herod the Great who was disturbed by this news but all of Jerusalem.
Herod feigned friendship to the Magi and intended to murder this new King, an obvious rival
God warned the Magi to avoid Herod on their journey home
A direct result of their visit was the murder of all the toddlers and infants in Bethlehem

In many parts of the world today, children are awakening to gifts left by either the Magi or Befana (see her story here http://village.fortunecity.com/radclyffe/541/SoulKitchen/Folklore/folklore.html). Perhaps a simple way to extend our Christmas into the New Year and avoid the post Christmas let down is to hold back a small gift or sweet treat for our children and loved ones and surprise them with it on Epiphany or Twelfth Night. We know that the timing we assign to all of this is traditional and not factual. We know that we know very little about the Magi and even less about the events surrounding their visit to Jesus. We also know that they undertook a perilous journey and went into great danger to honor the Advent of Christ. I encourage you to find a way to remember that men who did not need to left their homes to honor the birth of Christ and in some way share that wonder of that with your loved ones. Their journey was significant enough to God for him to include it in the Gospels. That alone makes it worth commemorating.

Wishing you joy in the journey,

Aramis Thorn

Advent – Preparation

Merry Christmas beloved Readers

Over the next couple of weeks you will encounter a question that I call a seasonal weather question. Often when people do not know what to say they talk about weather. During this time of year they ask, “So, are you ready for Christmas?” What the average asker wishes to know is if your shopping is done, if your house is decorated, and if your party is planned.

Too seldom do we really prepare for Christmas. Remember that we are talking about the Advent of Christ. Literally, we are looking forward to the arrival of the Anointed Redeemer. How do we prepare for that? Last week I talked about giving others hope. In addition to hope we need to prepare our lives for his arrival.

Instead of thinking of preparation as getting things we need, we should think of it as getting things in order. When we have a favored guest coming to our home, we will spend hours getting our house in order. We plan and anticipate the arrival and become more excited as the moment draws nearer. This is the whole point of celebrating the Advent of Christ. “Let every heart prepare him room.”

We are to approach Christmas as a time when we make ourselves ready for the anticipated arrival of the most honored of guests: Jesus Christ. So as you put up the tree, wrap the presents, and plan your holiday celebrating, I would pose a question. Should not this be another aspect of Christmas that we are pondering and preparing for all year long. Remember that the word Christmas literally means Christ Mass, or the celebration of Christ. So I ask dear reader, are you ready for Christmas?

Wishing you joy in the journey,

Aramis Thorn

Boys of Summer

Greetings Dear Readers,

There is something about being a parent that is amazing. Opportunities abound when your children are young. Then they commit the terrible crime of growing up and opportunities become rare. As a teacher I had many summers to spend with my sons Maxim and Bezel growing up. We built some amazing memories and had some real and imagined adventures. I had the honor of teaching them to swim, discovering who they were becoming over Jamocha Shakes, and teaching them the wonder of baseball.

They are older now and the opportunities are few. They are good men trying to find the right path in a dangerous world. They are loyal friends. Maxim is a good husband to his wife Raven. His passion for the lost and seeing Christ touch the lives of others is inspiring. Bezel has a depth of loyalty and compassion that is incomparable. His charm and wit could win millions to Christ. They are amazing men who I also count at my best friends.

It astonishes me how much they have to teach me but I sometimes wonder about the things I need to begin to teach them. What is a father's place in the lives of his adult sons? I know that there are areas where I dare not tread. I must respect that they are young men but I see things they do not always see and am not sure how to communicate it to them.

There are other matters where I must teach them by action with few words. Currently I am teaching them how to handle pain and rejection at the hands of someone I love. I will have to teach them how a man handles aging, painful life changes, and facing the future without the love of your life. I hope they never have to apply these lessons but I will teach them just the same.

It is my job to be the example they need even when they do not wish it. I must handle all things with the grace and love of Christ. I must love them wear they are at all times. When I fail them I must own it completely. When they fail me I must insist that they own it but do so in a spirit of gentle and restorative love. I love my sons with a fire that is unquenchable. I challenge all men who are blessed with sons to do the same; be vulnerable about your failures, hold them accountable for their, most important, evidence the grace and love of Christ is all things.

Wishing you joy in the journey,

Aramis Thorn

Stepping on Toes or Stepping on Heels

Greetings Dear Readers,

Some time ago I wrote about the difference between being a Christian and being a Christ Follower. You can read that post here if you wish, http://aramisthorn.blogspot.com/2007/06/do-not-call-me-christian.html

In the current political season we are hearing a great deal about the place of Christ in government and debates deal with issues such as same sex marriage and abortion rights. As a Christ Follower I think that we lose our focus during these times. We become so embroiled in the arguments over hot political issues that we forget to focus on Christ in the political process.

I recently had a discussion with one of my teaching colleagues in which he were shocked to learn that I was a Christ Follower but held political views similar to his. When pressed on certain issues his anger was aroused that I believed that same sex marriages are not a good thing and that abortion is wrong. A truth dawn on me as a marshaled arguments for my position in my mind. I had a choice. I could argue my point, and perhaps win, but was it right for me to argue my position in these issues? Would that be Following Christ.

As my friend continued to heatedly make his points about a woman's right and ethics in a given situation, I realized I had a choice. I had excellent arguments against what was being said, but I also saw an opportunity. My primary obligation to this friend was to connect him to Christ in any way possible. Instead of arguing the issues of abortion I chose to be kind and gentle.

My answer on the issue of abortion was just this; It is the responsibility of Christ Followers to care for those in need socially. How can we dare ask a woman not to abort her child if we will not make keeping the child the most supportive and loving environment to be found on earth. Instead of protesting outside of clinics, why are we not providing care for the mother and child to term and beyond if necessary. We could release the resources to provide medical care, education, counseling, adoption services, and child rearing training. We could show the love of Christ in such a way that any choice other than keeping the child seems absurd.

My point is that we need to follow Christ more closely so as to not step on as many toes. Do not get me wrong, following Christ will lead to some serious toe-stepping, but not the argumentative and unkind flavor that permeates the current religious climate in America. Perhaps a more light hearted example will illustrate my point.

My daughter, Christmas likes to walk very close behind me when we are out and about. She very often steps on the back of my shoe. Her past, before she came to live in our home, taught her that this was reason enough to receive a beating or punishment. The first few times it happened she shrank back in fear, not knowing how I would react. One day, in a moment of what can only be true Divine inspiration, I came upon an answer that would relieve her fear.
The next time she stepped on the back of my shoe, I turned and thanked her. She looked very puzzled so I explained. I told her that every time she did that I was reminded of how closely I wished her to follow Christ. That from now on when she stepped on my shoe, I would view it as a reminder of how closely we should all follow Christ. This little thing has done much to assure her of her place in Christ and in our family. It has done much for me as well.

You see, I must also follow Christ so closely that sometimes I step on the back of his sandal. The simple choice is to this or always be stepping on the toes of those to whom I am supposed to represent Christ. I have done a lot of toe stepping over the years. I am going to try much harder to step on Christ's heels instead. I do not think he will mind.

Wishing you joy in the journey,

Aramis Thorn

Falling on my Knees

Greetings Dear Readers,

I have spent a great deal of time recently studying the ins and outs of what it means to be truly a follower of Jesus Christ. At the church I attend we have just begun studying the twelfth chapter of the book of Romans. I know some of you have no idea what I am talking about and that is just fine. Here is the gist of what falls into my thinking.

Romans 12:1
Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God—this is your spiritual act of worship.

The question with which I wrestle is, how do I truly make sure that I am a living sacrifice to Christ? Part of my answer is that I must live in the moment, constantly checking to see that my backside is still firmly planted on that alter; that I am sacrificing all that I am to Christ in every moment. This is not accomplished by obeying rules or following a plan. It is accomplished by realizing that I am never going to be content anywhere else.

Joy Williams has a recorded a song that I have listened to as a mantra for the last week or so. I want it to permeate my heart and mind to the depth that it becomes my anthem. Here are the lyrics and a link to the song. Give it a listen before you continue reading if you will.

www.esnips.com/doc/4157f16d-50de-4ad8-b787-906d7cf7a4ea/Joy-Williams---Hungry-(Falling-On-My-Knees)

Hungry

Hungry, I come to You, For I know You satisfy
I am empty but I know, Your love does not run dry
So I wait for You, So I wait for You

I'm falling on my knees, Offering all of me
Jesus, You're all this heart, Is living for

Broken, I run to You, For Your arms are open wide
I am weary but I know, Your touch restores my life
So I wait for You, So I wait for You

I'm falling on my knees, Offering all of me
Jesus, You're all this heart, Is living for
So I wait for You, So I wait for You, So I wait for You


I'm falling on my knees, Offering all of me. Jesus, You're all this heart, Is living for

And I'm falling on my knees, Offering all of me. Jesus, You're all this heart, Is living for


Hungry, I come to You, For I know You satisfy


I think the tone of my posts will be changing, but I will still give you the light and airy as well. If you pray for me, and I hope you do, please pray that I never lose the moment I am in right now. If I can keep this heart and this mind, all else makes sense. I love you all, collectively and individually. RJ thanks for the feedback.


Wishing you joy in the journey,

unus vinculum servus procul Christi
Aramis Thorn

Do not call me Christian

Greetings Dear Readers,

I know that those of you who know me personally may be shocked by that title. I do have a reason for what I am saying. Over the last decades, I have seen, as have others that the label "Christian" has lost much of its power and respect. In the words of my pastor (yes I have one of those), I believe the word no longer communicates. My faith has not changed but what I call myself has.

I regret that some who claim the name Christian do so much to hurt the image of God that Christ brought us. God does not hate anyone and commands his followers to love even their enemies. So I have chosen to leave the label behind me so that I can communicate better that which I am commanded to:

• Love God with all my heart, soul, and mind
• Love my neighbor as myself

Anything else is just footnotes. This means I do not hate you just because your life is different than mine. It means that I do not care about many of the issues Christians rally around. I do have feelings and opinions about many things, but I will not reject anyone just because they disagree with me. I apologize for those who identify with Christ and then hate others. That is not who Christ is. Please do not judge Christ by the poor examples of his followers you encounter. If you read my blog, you are much too intelligent for that.

If you must find a way to label me, try Christ Follower. I do not feel that I am worthy of that title, but it is my heart's desire to become a man who can be seen that way. I am not as good at this as I wish to be but I also know that today, in this moment, I am following Christ as best I can, and that is all I may honestly offer you. For those of you who do not know about my faith, here it is in a brief explanation.

I am, like all persons, a fallen sinful human.
I know that God exists and he loves me.
I know that my sinfulness separates me from that love.
The only just penalty for my sin is eternal separation from God.
God would rather die than live without me.
He chose to live in the form of a human as Jesus Christ.
As that God/man he never sinned but paid the price of his unjust death for my sin.
I can do nothing to merit God's favor, but by faith I can avail myself of this payment for my sin.
It is by faith alone that I find my relationship with God the Father through his Son, Jesus.
He offers this free gift to anyone who will accept it

So please, when you talk about me or my writing, do not call me a Christian. If you wish to discuss this feel free to email me, aramisthorn@aramisthorn.com, or you can comment here on the blog. Other than that, I as always wish you the same thing.

Wishing you joy in the journey,

Aramis Thorn