Everything I needed to Know – Humans are Illogical

Greetings Dear Reader,

I am not saying that we do not use logic but at the heart of it we are illogical beings.  We reject that which is best for us often.  We see clear paths and instead take rough and brambled ones.  We know what our heart wants but instead settle for a grind that saps our life and energy.

We scream and march for our own rights whilst ignoring the needs of others.  We say we love our enemies whilst allowing their children to starve.  We are illogical in so many ways that betray our faith.

We also fail to embrace the illogic of our faith in ways that will make it real.  It is not logical to love our enemies but it is right.  It is not logical that the Creator should die to redeem his creation.  It is foolish to give up the pleasures or a life we can see for the treasures of a life we cannot.

The one we follow holds out both a Cross and a Crown.  We must embrace both or neither.  There are no half measures in following Christ.  Whilst we can make sense of our faith as it is a reasonable faith.  It is also, all at once, foolish and illogical. 

We are asked to choose to follow the most illogical of dreams.  I must always embrace that I am a fool for Christ’s sake.  I must abandon the illogic of my own designs and embrace the both logical and illogical call of Christ.

God’s Own Fool – Michael Card

Seems I've imagined Him all of my life

As the wisest of all of mankind

But if God's Holy wisdom is foolish to men

He must have seemed out of His mind

For even His family said He was mad

And the priests said a demon's to blame

But God in the form of this angry young man

Could not have seemed perfectly sane

When we in our foolishness thought we were wise

He played the fool and He opened our eyes

When we in our weakness believed we were strong

He became helpless to show we were wrong

And so we follow God's own fool

For only the foolish can tell-

Believe the unbelievable

And come be a fool as well

So come lose your life for a carpenter's son

For a madman who died for a dream

And you'll have the faith His first followers had

And you'll feel the weight of the beam

So surrender the hunger to say you must know

Have the courage to say I believe

For the power of paradox opens your eyes

And blinds those who say they can see

When we in our foolishness thought we were wise

He played the fool and He opened our eyes

When we in our weakness believed we were strong

He became helpless to show we were wrong

And so we follow God's own fool

For only the foolish can tell-

Believe the unbelievable

And come be a fool as well

So we follow God's own Fool

For only the foolish can tell

Believe the unbelievable,

And come be a fool as well

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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No Fooling

Greetings Dear Reader,

Although the first recorded record of April Fools’ Day or All Fools’ Day is in the Canterbury Tales we have no idea how the traditional day of pranks and hoaxes began.  We know it is centuries old and takes on many faces in different parts of the world. At some point today someone will “get my goat” (what do goats have to do with this anyway?).  I have indulged in a few pranks over the years but must admit I am pranked much more often than I prank.

Still I am a fool.  I have been called one by more than one person.   If you ponder the things I believe I am at least foolish if not outright mad as a hatter (this has to do with mercury).  Here is a list that others have said serves as evidence of my foolishness.

• I believe that I have an unseen enemy who watches me and wishes to destroy me.
• I believe that I am being watched constantly.
• I love my enemies.
• I have to die in order to live.
• I try to respond to everything with kindness and love.

The list could be longer.  I have done many things where others have accused me of foolishness.  I do it all because I know that following Christ seems foolish to those who do not believe.  Paul wrote that, “the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.”  It is not my place to expect others to see me as wise.

When we follow Christ we are going to appear to be fools.  We need to remember that at one point even Mary thought her Son had gone mad.  She asked his brothers to stop him.  She had seen and heard the angel.  She had tasted the wine made from water.  She knows who Jesus is yet she sees his actions as those of a fool.

So toady I choose to celebrate my foolishness.  I choose to live a life where I have no visible evidence that what I seek is real.  I will follow in faith even when it seems like madness.  I have found good company in this journey.  Most of all I treasure you Dear Reader.  Happy All Fools’ Day; no joke.

God’s Own Fool – Michael Card

Seems I've imagined Him all of my life

As the wisest of all of mankind

But if God's Holy wisdom is foolish to men

He must have seemed out of His mind

For even His family said He was mad

And the priests said a demon's to blame

But God in the form of this angry young man

Could not have seemed perfectly sane

When we in our foolishness thought we were wise

He played the fool and He opened our eyes

When we in our weakness believed we were strong

He became helpless to show we were wrong

And so we follow God's own fool

For only the foolish can tell-

Believe the unbelievable

And come be a fool as well

So come lose your life for a carpenter's son

For a madman who died for a dream

And you'll have the faith His first followers had

And you'll feel the weight of the beam

So surrender the hunger to say you must know

Have the courage to say I believe

For the power of paradox opens your eyes

And blinds those who say they can see

When we in our foolishness thought we were wise

He played the fool and He opened our eyes

When we in our weakness believed we were strong

He became helpless to show we were wrong

And so we follow God's own fool

For only the foolish can tell-

Believe the unbelievable

And come be a fool as well

So we follow God's own Fool

For only the foolish can tell

Believe the unbelievable,

And come be a fool as well

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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Impossible Dreams – Boldly Go – Closing Thoughts

Greetings Dear Reader,

Whether it is Quixotic or the final frontier of space I carry within me an array of impossible dreams.  The big dream is simple.  I dream of a world free of pain and suffering.  I dream of a place where love for God and others is the only rule.

We have so far to go.  We have so much that is so wrong that must be fixed before we can even hope for Roddenberry’s vision of a peaceful planet.  I love the world he created but we can do even better.  The problem is that we get in our own way.

Every time we indulge injustice and turn away from need we cloud the dream.  We have to learn to take care of each other.  We must find a way to end hunger, homelessness, and hate.  You all know that I believe that Christ is the path to that.

My other impossible dreams involve this craft of writing, a place to shelter others, and a family that rises from its dysfunctions.   I know that if I follow Christ I can move toward these things. I must cling to the dreams or let them die if necessary to follow Christ.  The complete dream is only found in him.  I can only be what I must be to achieve my impossible dreams by following Christ with all my heart. 

My life must be centered on following Christ of my dreams are useless.  It is in Christ we live, and move, and have our being.  For me it means that my dreams, even the impossible ones must be centered on Jesus.  If I am to reach the unreachable star then I must boldly go toward Christ in every step.  No matter how hopeless or how far it seems in the moment faith and following will sustain me.

We are all on the journey to the final frontier.  Every step takes us closer to the undiscovered country.  I must go boldly to that final frontier.  I must follow in faith.  If I do then the dreams I have will be realized no matter how impossible because Christ promises to give me the desires that are his in my heart.  That is a dream worth dreaming.

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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Impossible Dreams - Christmas

Greetings Dear Reader,

You know that I think about Christmas almost every day.  It is one of my most cherished impossible dreams.  As I slog through the most humid morning of the season thus far I long for the cold and the snow.  I have dreams and visions that are possible concerning my favorite time of year.

I dream of seeing my grandsons as they awaken on Christmas morning whilst there is still magic in it for them.   I dream of finding just the right gifts for my children so that they feel known and loved.  I dream of a good bowl of Black Cavendish and a hot drink on the porch in the snow.

I have impossible Christmas dreams as well.  Most of them I keep to myself.  I do dream of a Christmas in a beautiful place with all of my family together.  I dream of filling a huge room with gifts for everyone that communicate the gift of Christ in a perfect harmony of love and respect.

My dreams include things that can never be.  They are not pipe dreams and they could be but people have hard hearts and we make choices that truncate dreams.  We give away what is precious for what we think we want and sometimes it cannot be undone.  My impossible dreams include finding a way to undo those things.

I believe in things I cannot see.  I believe in the impossible dream of Christmas with peace on earth and good will toward all men.  As I step into the humidity today I will do so with a Christmas song in my broken heart.  Christmas heals things in me because of Christ.  He is the joy in my journey more than anything else.  He stays close when I am far away from my impossible Christmas dreams.  Dear Reader, there is always time for another Christmas song.

This Christmas Day – Trans-Siberian Orchestra

So, tell me Christmas

Are we wise

To believe in things we never see

Are prayers just wishes in disguise

And are these wishes being granted me

For now I see

The answering

To every prayer I've prayed

She's coming home this

Christmas Day

So tell me Christmas

Are we kind

More this day than any other day

Or is it only in our mind

And must it leave when you have gone away

It's different now

It's changed somehow

And now you're here to stay

She's coming home this

Christmas Day

All at once the world

It doesn't seem the same

And in a single night

You know it all has changed

And everything is now as it should be

I have the ornament

I have the perfect tree

I have a string of lights

I have a chance to see

Everything that my heart thought could be

For of all the dreams

You were the first I knew

And every other one

Was a charade of you

You stayed close when I was far away

In the darkest night

You always were the star

You always took us in

No matter who we are

And so she's coming home this

Christmas Day

Merry Christmas

Merry, merry Christmas

Merry Christmas

Merry, merry Christmas

Merry Christmas

Merry, merry Christmas

Night

She's coming home

She's coming home

She's coming home

This Christmas Day

She's coming home this

Christmas Day...

SO THE GIRL HAD REACHED HER HOME

AND THE BAR WAS CLOSING DOWN

AS THE ANGEL STARTED BACK

TO BRING HIS LORD WHAT HE HAD FOUND

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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Impossible Dreams – Night Terrors

Greetings Dear Reader,

One of the problems of having a creative mind is that it can be creative with the negative as well.  When I am under strong emotional duress I get extremely real nightmares.   Most of the time I can keep from disturbing the rest of the house but sometimes I scream in my sleep.

One of the recurring dreams replaces whomever is the object of my stress in the main role of the dream.  Another frequent flyer revisits real terrors of my youth with those currently in my life as spectators cheering it on. 

Melissa Benson

When I awaken from these unwanted night visitors I am usually disoriented because they are so very real.  Then I fear returning to sleep.  Of late the nightmares have been almost every night.  It makes me weary.  

Christ carries me through this.  I could not endure it otherwise.  The point is that these too are impossible dreams.  None of the things in my creative nocturnal dramas could really happen.  These impossible dreams do their damage but they also help me deal with pain and stress.

They only come for a season.  They purge some of the fear and pain with false fear and pain.  They force me to deal with the emotional weight of whatever real thing invites them into my life.  They force me to pray more and trust more. 

The return of my nightmares is usually centered around the death of a real dream.  Something in my life is going away that is part of my grand impossible dream.  Something is changing and it touches my deepest fears.  Even in the terror of the night when I need sleep I must focus and follow in faith.   In Christ alone my hope is found. 

Dreaming of anything good is a risk, a gamble.  We dre

am in faith that what Christ offers is real.  I will face a thousand nights of terror before I give up that impossible dream.

Mourning the Death of a Dream – Michael Card

Cool morning shadows sadly shift across the floor

Each time we say goodbye it's harder than before

Even after all the pain of parting still we find

That we must mourn the death of the dreams we leave behind

As I turn my back on all that means the most to me

The sounds and smells, the light that dances on the sea

The greatest gamble is to act on the belief

That only the slave who leaves it all is truly free

The sacrifice that we both lay before His feet

A thousand moments that belonged to us

That now will never be

By faith we hold a better dream inside our hearts

A time when our family will never have to be apart

Till then we struggle with just what it really means

And we will mourn the death of our beautiful dreams

Mourn the death of our beautiful dreams

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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Impossible Dreams – No Win Scenario

Greetings Dear Reader,

One of my favorite moments in all the Star Trek universe is in Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan.  The film opens with a training crew enduring the test of the Kobayashi Maru, a no win scenario.  Kirk explains that a no win situation is an even everyone may face.  Kirk as a cadet found a unique solution that allowed him to win.  His comment is that he does not like to lose. 

If we dare to dream we will face impossible moments.  We will face impossible odds.  We will feel there are times when we cannot prevail.  I do not believe in the no win scenario.  Something must change.  It may be that I have to change the definition of winning.  It may be that I must change. 

For me winning must always be that I acted lovingly.  It must be that I was patient, kind, righteous, and good.  It is not crushing an enemy or competitor that measures victory.  It is whether my actions reflected faith and following that matters.  It is whether I love at all costs that matters.

Others will crush my impossible dreams.  Some of them will fade due to the actions of others.  Some I will destroy by my own failure.  However, the ultimate impossible dream is always a possibility.  I can choose to love in every moment.  I can choose to have faith that God will work things to his will.  It may not look like the dream I want but will always be the dream I have.

I do not believe anything can stand against the pure and focused love that is seeded in God’s love for me.  I may not get what I want.  I may have to destroy the ship.  I may pay for the party with my dearest blood.  I may lose things I can never regain.  None of that matters if my heart and actions are connected to the ultimate impossible test.  I must do what is right, loving, and good no matter how hard.  I don’t believe in the no win scenario.   I believe in turning death into a fighting chance to live.  So does God.

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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Impossible Dreams – Broken Hearts

Greetings Dear Reader,

Perhaps the most dangerous thing in believing in the impossible is you have to put your heart into something to believe in it.  Hearts are infinitely breakable.  The effect of them breaking can go on for a lifetime and in some cases longer.  It has even been medically proven that a heart can be actually broken.  It is a condition called Takotsubo.

If we dare to dream then our hearts will be broken.  If we dare to have faith our faith will be realized but our hearts will be broken.  If we love unconditionally our heart will be broken.  Our hearts will be broken but we will not lose.  We may suffer loss.  We may be alone and lonely.  We may even feel we are desolate.  We will, however, dreams, faith, and love accounted for.

Our dreams may not come true but if not they will be replaced with better, nobler ones.  Our faith will be refined, purified, and fulfilled by God.  Our hearts may be in pieces with the shards as far apart as the distance between the stars.  We need to do what is right no matter what the cost.  We need have faith, love, dreams, and hope.

If I follow then I follow the one whose heart I have broken with my sin.  Even in a broken heart I have fellowship with him.  He loves my gained understanding and renewed commitment.   He does not want me to be hurt but knows how he will use the hurt to heal.  He knows how he will make all things right.  He knows how he will heal.  He knows how he will someday mend all hearts.

I will dream the impossible dream of all hearts one day attuned to his.  I will ask him to play mine and all heartstrings in his unification song.  I will follow.  I may limp or even crawl.  When I think I cannot do it Christ will sustain me. 

Where Are You Going Great Heart?  - John Oxenham

Where are you going, Great-Heart,

With your eager face and your fiery grace?

Where are you going, Great-Heart?"

"To fight a fight with all my might,

For truth and justice, God and right,

To grace all life with His fair Light."

Then God go with you, Great-Heart!

Where are you going, Great-Heart?

"To cleanse the earth of noisome things,

To draw from life its poison stings,

To give free play to freedom's wings."

Then go with you, Great-Heart!

Where are you going, Great-Heart?

"To lift today above the past,

To make tomorrow sure and fast,

To nail God's colors to the mast."

Then God goes with you, Great-Heart!

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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Impossible Dreams – Fools for Christ

Greetings Dear Reader,

Too often to keep it from getting to my heart I am reminded that there are those who think my faith is foolish.  Someone reminded me this week that it is foolish to follow Christ and that we are in a post-Christian era. 

Even if it is madness I will never abandon my faith.   I would rather be wrong and continue to learn to love and be good to others than abandon my foundation for those actions.  I said this to my detractor and he pointed out that his atheism is why he does not need to worry about such things. 

I do struggle at times with the harder parts of living out my faith.  I was, however, warned.  Jesus said that we would be hated, used, and marginalized.  We are to realize that we are blessed by this.  We are to find the joy in these moments because we are in the company of the own we follow.

I do not want to skip that the Church has failed to be what it must be in many ways.  The stereotypes and prejudice that lump together those who call themselves Christians is not deserved.  The problem is that our goodness does not echo so loudly that the stereotypes do not seem foolish.

We follow someone who holds out a cross and a crown.  We live in the paradox of foolishness.  No matter what others do to me I must be willing to remain constant in that foolishness.  After all, if I truly follow Christ and am wrong I have lost nothing.  I have in fact gained.  I may make a life or two better.

Imagine a world where everyone responds to everything lovingly.  This is a worthy goal.  It seems an impossible dream but God promises we will get there.  He also promises that the price of getting there is very high.

God’s Own Fool – Michael Card

Seems I've imagined Him all of my life

As the wisest of all of mankind

But if God's Holy wisdom is foolish to men

He must have seemed out of His mind

For even His family said He was mad

And the priests said a demon's to blame

But God in the form of this angry young man

Could not have seemed perfectly sane

When we in our foolishness thought we were wise

He played the fool and He opened our eyes

When we in our weakness believed we were strong

He became helpless to show we were wrong

And so we follow God's own fool

For only the foolish can tell-

Believe the unbelievable

And come be a fool as well

So come lose your life for a carpenter's son

For a madman who died for a dream

And you'll have the faith His first followers had

And you'll feel the weight of the beam

So surrender the hunger to say you must know

Have the courage to say I believe

For the power of paradox opens your eyes

And blinds those who say they can see

When we in our foolishness thought we were wise

He played the fool and He opened our eyes

When we in our weakness believed we were strong

He became helpless to show we were wrong

And so we follow God's own fool

For only the foolish can tell-

Believe the unbelievable

And come be a fool as well

So we follow God's own Fool

For only the foolish can tell

Believe the unbelievable,

And come be a fool as well

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 ͡°)

Impossible Dreams – Opening Thoughts

Greetings Dear Reader,

Tilting windmills is foolish.  After all windmills have never done anything to us.  I asked some people recently in a very unscientific and unreliable survey if they knew who the Man of La Mancha was.   Those who did only knew about the guy trying to joust with a windmill.

I am an idealist at times.  I dream impossible dreams.  I believe when others do not.   I have frustrated others by insisting that I have faith that things will be as they should be in the world.  I always believe that there is a way to the dream.

From time to time I stand on the edge of losing this part of myself.  Things happen that cause me to think that things are too hopeless.  Sometimes I believe that my arms are too weary to try any further.  The issue is that I am no allowed to be that way.

I need to examine my foolishness.  I need to tilt at the windmill of my idealism.  Why am I a fool?  Why do I continue to believe when things look grim?  What good does it do?  Perhaps the answers lie in the question.  We will see.  Walk with me if you will Dear Reader.  I warn you, you will be mocked if you do.

The Impossible Dream – Man of La Mancha

To dream the impossible dream

To fight the unbeatable foe

To bear with unbearable sorrow

To run where the brave dare not go

To right the unrightable wrong

To love pure and chaste from afar

To try when your arms are too weary

To reach the unreachable star

This is my quest

To follow that star

No matter how hopeless

No matter how far

To fight for the right

Without question or pause

To be willing to march into Hell

For a heavenly cause

And I know if I'll only be true

To this glorious quest

That my heart will lie peaceful and calm

When I'm laid to my rest

And the world will be better for this

That one man, scorned and covered with scars

Still strove with his last ounce of courage

To reach the unreachable star

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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