Talismans – Closing Thoughts

Greetings Dear Reader,

I suppose if one were to see my writing office that does not know they would see me surrounded with and odd collection of mundane things.  I could talk about many more of them.  There are two empty cigarette packs, a snow globe with a wizard inside, a ship in a bottle, a tiny set of star ships, and many other things.

Perhaps I can revisit this topic at a later time if the journey allows.  It is time, however, to move on to other thoughts and questions that demand my attention.  As the topic changes from my talismans to other things I must conclude this thing.  Although the objects possess no power of their own they are indeed very powerful.  Anything that causes me to both feel and think is powerful and important.

Reminding myself that I have created this space for a reason makes me better at living out that reason.  This is my fortress of solitude where I spin out my tales and thoughts in hopes of seeing Christ honestly and reflecting Christ more clearly.  This is my lair where I rest from the world and enjoy the small hoard of treasure that I have.  The talismans remind me of who I am to be, what I am to be about, and that this room is not my world.  This lair is rather my campsite for resting until I continue the journey for another day.  The talismans remind me for whom I fight and what the fight is really about. 

I am sure you may wish to know why I have a black rubber duck, a silver teddy bear with a broken clock in his tummy, and chainmail coin purse.  I assure you that they are not just clutter.  I assure you Dear Reader they remind me of things that I am supposed to be and of moments when I was that man.  The red rubber Yoshi has a purpose.  Hagrid on his motorcycle carries a memory.  By the faded crimson ribbon hangs a tale.     

Some of these tales will spin out in this forum.  Some are in a book on its way to the shelves of bookstores both actual and virtual.  All of them teach me every morning in some way.  They all point to the most powerful talisman of all.  It was abounded in the first house I bought in this city.  It is a gold crucifix about a foot tall. 

Jesus hangs there in his former state.  He minds me that I have a path to journey, an example to follow, and world to love.  Hanging there he points me toward the memory of his suffering, the joy of his resurrection, and world he is bringing back to “good.”  My task in this space is to use whatever is necessary to work toward that end. 

The joy in the journey is in remembering that on the shelves behind the talismans stands my vast theological library.  The true power of those talismans is to remind me that none of that knowledge has any power without the love that put Christ on the cross.  It is the people and their stories that remind me of God’s love.  The theology only helps me understand the mechanics.  The talismans remind as I move them to retrieve a book that after all is complete only the love will remain.  “For God so LOVED the world that he gave us his only begotten Son…”    

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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Talismans – A Ghost

Greetings Dear Reader,

When it comes to talismans there are nine around me that call to mind this particular thing.  The most important is not the ghost.  The ghost, however, is the one that is the most linear.  It always points forward in time.  It always draws me forward toward the event horizon.

Each morning from December to December I look at this ghost and ponder for a moment if I am living the promise it demands.  In bleak winger, bursting spring, and verdant summer am I living a life that says Christmas is coming?  Do I live every day as if the Advent of Christ is immanent?  I am supposed to live this way.

My Grandson asked a couple of weeks ago why I loved Christmas so much.  I explained that it was Jesus’ birthday and that I wanted to think of his birthday every day.  That was enough explanation for him.  In that simple answer is an all-encompassing truth.

The Ghost of Christmas Yet to Come is a talisman of my vow to live the promise, hope, love, and joy of Christmas every day.  There is something to remind me of Jesus and his journey to us in almost every room of my house.  I ponder what Christ did for my redemption daily. 

The joy I feel at Christmas should be the resurrected life that I share in the full bloom of spring.  It should be the cool comfort I offer in the dog days.  From the cradle to the cross nothing is more important than the advent, life, death, and resurrection of Christ.  None of it happens without the cradle.

I need to remember that there is another day in the future.  A day yet to come where there will be a new advent.  Christmas means “celebration of Christ.”  There is a celebration yet to come. There is an advent we anticipate.  There is a “Christ Mass” yet to come that will be the realization of all that we hope for as his followers. 

This talisman points toward a boney finger toward the onrushing future.   It reminds me to live today as if it were my last chance to impart the joy of Christmas to those around me.  It also points directly at the small nativity on my desk.  It reminds me of the past that secures my future.

Promises to Keep – Tran-Siberian Orchestra

Christmas time

On a cold December morning

All is calm

And the world is still asleep

Christmas lights

That have been caught without warning

Gently glitter on

Stars to wish upon

All the world is at peace

Christmas time and the year will soon be leaving

Cloaked in time till it's just a memory

Christmas stays if we don't forget its meaning

Days go quickly by

Years they multiply

And we go searching for thee

And the dream is still alive

From that first December morning

And it always will survive

As long as we can see

That the dreams we find in life

Are the dreams we tend to seek

And Christmas has its promises to keep

Christmas time

And the moments just beginning

From last night

When we'd wished upon a star

If our kindness

This day is just pretending

If we pretend long enough

Never giving up

It just might be who we are

AND SO IT'S GOOD THAT WE REMEMBER

JUST AS SOON AS WE'VE DISCOVERED

THAT THE THINGS WE DO IN LIFE

WILL ALWAYS END UP TOUCHING OTHERS

SO FROM A FADING NEON STAR

SOMEWHERE SHINING IN THE NIGHT

WE FIND A FATHER FAR AWAY

NOW REFLECTING IN ITS LIGHT

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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Talismans – Two Boxes

Greetings Dear Reader,

I have two boxes where I keep my most sacred talismans.  One is made of teak and comes from Hawaii.  The other is made of cedar and is a model of the Ark of the Covenant created by one of my students and gifted to me.  These boxes are precious to me on their own.

Their contents are priceless.  The ark holds some small pieces of granite that were the first gift my eldest Son ever gave me.  It also holds a note from when he asked me to pray for him to find a friend at school.  The note reads, “Thanks for praying dad.  I found a friend today.”

The teak box holds a few precious memories from my childhood.  There are the awards I won at summer camp.  Also are the archery medals I earned in competitive shooting.  My Sons were witness to the culmination of that skill at the Renaissance Festival in Atlanta. It is a reminder to me that hours of practice at something can yield unexpected and legendary results.  We will revisit that further down the path.

 If anyone else were to look into these two boxes they would not comprehend the value.  On two occasions I have shared their contents with someone I love and trust.  Neither of them got it.  So much of what is there seems mundane to others.  It is the power these things have to evoke sacred memories that makes them such powerful talismans.

When the moments drift through the pinch of the glass we either seize them or let them go.  Rarely some of them hold great portent.  It is not enough to seize the day.  If we do not live in every moment we may miss the most precious ones.    We might discard the ticket stub from the first time we took our Son to see Jethro Tull.  We might not have the tie tack where your Sons first proclaimed you a great dad. 

Living in the moment for me is being always aware that none of them are mundane to God.  If I am a man of faith then I must agree with this and live it.  Soon enough and much too soon the sand in the bottom of the glass is greater than that in the top.  We long to have some of them back but gravity and time laugh at us.

So I ponder these most precious talismans. I long to create more moments and memories for my Children, Grandchildren, and friends before I am out of sand.  In the rush of this passion play I have been given by God, I must carpe’ momenta omnem.  I must seize every moment.

A Week Moments – Ian Anderson

A week of moments a clutch of days

Ten thousand minutes of a Passion Play.

Medley of quavers informs the tune.

It’s all too much: over all too soon.

Sweet condensation on chilling wine

Travelers palm, flamboyant tree

Fast photos ripped and lost consign

A week of moments to faint memory.

A week of moments plucked from the page

Found far horizons, a sunset stage.

Suitcases bulge, in silence packed

A chapter closed: no looking back.

The lightest touch upon my arm

No fierce restraint, no call to stay.

Hushed room maids glide like pawns to king

With pool attendants in chess piece array.

A week of moments a clutch of days

Ten thousand minutes of a Passion Play.

Medley of quavers informs the tune.

It’s all too much: over all too soon.

Sweet condensation on chilling wine

Travelers palm, flamboyant tree

Fast photos ripped and lost consign

A week of moments to faint memory.

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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Talismans – Two Swords

Greetings Dear Reader,

My name, in case you did not know is a nom-de-plume.  It comes from a character I created when I was eight.   He was the first hero in the first story I ever wrote.  When I began to play role playing games in the mid-seventies he was my first avatar.  That character was a Paladin, a holy knight.

Artemis

Several years ago I was gifted with two swords that matched so closely to the fictional description of the swords that paladin carried in his adventures.  These were gifts give to me out of love for who I am and I cherish them greatly.  The swords were named Artemis and Angelique.   I know how to use a sword.  They are power and fascinating weapons. These two swords are both beautiful and fully functional.  They are my talismans of the Word of God. 

Angelique

The author of the letter to the Hebrews writes, “God's word is living and active. It is sharper than any two-edged sword and cuts as deep as the place where soul and spirit meet, the place where joints and marrow meet. God's word judges a person's thoughts and intentions.”

I read the Bible every day.  I memorize the parts that speak to me.  I think about it when I ponder choices.  It is the filter through which I try to run every choice.  Paul writes that we are to have the Sword of the Spirit, the Word of Truth as part of our preparation to fight for Christ.  Notice that our only offensive weapon is the Bible, which teaches us to fight with love. 

It is in this book that I find the power to take the offensive.  It is not complicated although there is complexity in living it out.  My offensive weapon is to be used to cut away barriers to faith.  It is light to pierce the darkness.  It divides the emotions from the need to see that we have a need for redemption.  It does not surprise me that people work so hard to destroy this weapon.  Fortunately for me it was forged by God.

So Many Books – Michael Card

There is a hunger, a longing for bread

And so comes the call for the poor to be fed

More hungry by far are a billion and more

Who wait for the Bread of the Word of the Lord

So many books, so little time, so many hunger, so many blind

Starving for words, they must wait in the night

To open a Bible and move towards the Light

There'll come a time, the prophets would say

When the joy of mankind will be withered away

A want not for water, but a hunger for more

A famine for hearing the Word of the Lord

So many books, so little time, so many hunger, so many blind

Starving for words, they must wait in the night

To open a Bible and move towards the Light)

...To open a Bible and move towards the Light,

Open a Bible and move towards the Light

The Word won't go out, except it return

Full, over flowing and so we must learn

So many books, so little time, so many hunger, so many blind

Starving for words, they must wait in the night

To open a Bible and move towards the Light

To open a Bible and move towards the Light

Open a Bible and move towards the Light

Open a Bible and move towards the Light

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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Talismans – Oil Lamp

Greetings Dear Reader,

This tiny oil lamp is my source of light when I need some illumination but prefer the room to be dark.  When this happens it is usually sign that I want to withdraw from the world.  It means something in life has become too burdensome and I am seeking to shut out the rest of life.

The small oil lamp is there to remind me that I cannot isolate myself totally.  I cannot escape the presence of God and I cannot shed the burden of bearing the light.  During those times when I am hurting or despair I will usually awaken earlier than I desire.  I sit in the darkness, light the lamp, and listen to my favorite piece of music in the universe.  It is “The Inner Light” by Jerry Goldsmith. 

When I am besieged by feelings that try to overwhelm my focus and faith this talisman helps.  I am always surprised at how much that tine flame lights up the room.  I am reminded of what I am supposed to be in Christ.  I am supposed to be light.

I am not supposed to be the harsher glaring light of an LED.  I am supposed to be a candle or oil lamp.  I am supposed to have a warm light that is inviting and safe.  Carrying such a light is a burden because it is not self-contained.  It can spill or blow out.  I must carry myself carefully. 

It is not wrong to feel hurt, despair, or loneliness.  It is wrong to indulge them an fail to seek the Light that is our example.  We need to seek the Light that is our example.  He promises to make the burden lighter. 

Bearers of the Light – Michael Card

The Light we must bear

Is the Light we must share

Is the Light that illumines the darkness

The promises kept

Give us strength to accept

This burden of bearing the Light

He will walk beside us

A strong friend, Barnabas

He will be that sure shoulder to lean on

The promise we share

Is our burdens to bear

And our Light tells the darkness to be gone

He will come after me

A young Timothy

Looking for someone to guide him

I will kindle his Light

Make him strong for the fight

I will promise to be there beside him

And so we must claim

By His powerful Name

The Promise the Bible has spoken

We must understand

That a cord of three strands

Cannot be easily broken

The great need of a all

A true mentor, a Paul

Who has traveled the road that's before us

He has made good the pledge

To tale the Light on ahead

We can follow his footsteps before us

The Light we must bear

Is the Light we must share

Is the Light that illumines the darkness

The promises kept give us strength to accept

This burden of bearing the Light

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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Talismans – Tiny Globe

Greetings Dear Reader,

One of the things I have been taught since I first began to follow Christ is to think globally.  One of my Talismans is a small globe encased in acrylic.  It reminds me that my responsibility to Christ is the entire world.  The apostle John makes it clear the Jesus came because of God’s love for the world.

I have friends on every continent (Yes I even have a friend who is a researcher in Antarctica).  Some of them are there as missionaries.  They work as teachers, translators, doctors, and other professions.  Their primary purpose, however, is the live and share the Gospel. 

This talisman reminds to pray.  It reminds me to have compassion for the ones who are in places where life is harsh and a struggle.  It reminds to pray for my friends and the work they do to make the world a better place.  It brings to the forefront that I have it very good compared to most of the world and I need to be thankful for that.

This globe also reminds me just how much the Gospel is alive in the world.  There is not a continent where I do not personally know a Christ follower.  I am never alone in my fight for faith and following.  I never walk the journey without fellow travelers.  I must always keep in mind those who follow and those who need to follow.   

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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Talismans – Rocks Part 2

Greetings Dear Reader,

I mentioned yesterday that Bezel’s gift was the first one he ever gave me.  Last summer, at age two my youngest Grandson also gave me a gift.  He and his brother had spent the night with Grandpa and it was about this same time early in the morning. 

The lad walked sleepily into my writing office and asked for a snuggle.  He was carrying his tiny blue jeans.  I pulled him up into my lap and we snuggled for a bit.  I reminded him how much I love him and gave him some of my water.

After about fifteen minutes he remembered the blue jeans.  He began to dig in the tiny pocket of the tiny pants.  One at a time he pulled out eight tiny rocks about the size of a sesame seed.  He insisted that I take each one of them.  When he was finished he simply said, “For you Grandpa.” 

He was not extremely verbal at this point and just given me a gift with an explanation.  It was obvious there was intent.  I carefully put the tiny rocks into one of those gumball machine capsules and wrote his name and the date on it. 

I may never understand why he wanted me to have those rocks.  I do understand that they are a talisman of the moment when a child wanted to give to me out of love and intent.  They remind me of the importance of gifts.  Gifts can reach deep into the hearts and minds of others to touch the need for love and acceptance.

It is in giving that we express our love for others.  It is in giving from the heart without pretense or expectation that we show unconditional love.  Every morning that tiny capsule of tiny stones reminds me that even the smallest gift, honestly given, can speak love into the lives of others.  That is a powerful talisman indeed.

Wond’ring Aloud – Jethro Tull

Wond'ring aloud --

how we feel today.

Last night sipped the sunset --

my hands in her hair.

We are our own saviours

as we start both our hearts beating life

into each other.

Wond'ring aloud --

will the years treat us well.

As she floats in the kitchen,

I'm tasting the smell

of toast as the butter runs.

Then she comes, spilling crumbs on the bed

and I shake my head.

And it's only the giving

that makes you what you are.

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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Talismans – Small Desk Caddie

Greetings Dear Reader,

As a father there are moments from your children that remain with you forever.  One of mine is a moment initiated by my younger Son, Bezel.  When Bezel was in year one of primary school we were still living in the south.  The small town had a single school and it had craft and gift fairs regularly. 

On one such occasion Bezel bought me a small desk caddie.  It is made of plastic, holds three pens or pencils, and has swing out cubbies for paper clips and the like.  Currently it holds some other talismans that fit it well.

The significance of this particular talisman is that it is the first gift that Bezel ever gave me from his own funds and heart.  I was working as a college professor and he said he wanted me to keep it on my desk so I would pray for him.  It has been on my desk or very near it ever since.

Every time I look at it I pray for Bezel.  More it reminds me to have a loving and giving heart.  It reminds of the depth of compassion and love my Son has for others.  It brings to the forefront that I must be giving, compassionate, and loving.  It reminds me that no matter how little I have I can always find a way to give to others.  It reminds me that I always need prayer.

This power talisman has so little value to the world.  It only cost Bezel a dollar over twenty years ago.  At that time, however, a dollar was all he had.  My Son gave all he had so that I would remember to pray for him.  Another Son, Jesus gave all so that we could have our prayers heard by the Father.  How could I fail to pray when two Sons gave so much for the sake of 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.”

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Talismans – Dragon Jar

Greetings Dear Reader,

I have written before about my belief that dragons are or at least were real.  On the shelf by my Grandfather’s Pulpit Commentary is a dragon jar.  By that I mean it is a small jar in which one keeps one’s dragons.

You have seen these jars at Renaissance Festivals or thrift stores.  You may have friends that own jars that say "Blonde Moments",  "Mistake Funds",  or "Dreams."   One of my simply says "Dragons".

Obviously the jar is too small for a real dragon.  It is, however, and excellent talisman for remember the value of fantasy.  Tolkien covered this well in his essay on Fairy Stories.  We have an imagination for a reason.  I have been told by those of my faith that to write fiction is wrong because it is a form of lying.  I find that very disheartening.  If we cannot tell fictional tales then what are the parables that Jesus told?

For me escaping into another world for a bit is very healthy.  It provides the opportunity for me to test my thinking against those who cannot be harmed by it.  It allows me to see how other feel and respond without risking the hearts of real people.  It allows me to teach without putting too fine a point on things.

From time to time I write down ideas that I cannot work on at the moment and put them in the dragon jar.  When I do not know what to write about I will look over the scraps of ideas to see if any of them have come to life. 

The stories I weave are fiction.  The truth I pursue in them is not.  If I may paraphrase the Bard; The story is the thing wherein I’ll reveal the heart of the King. 

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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Talismans – Skull

Greetings Dear Reader,

Let me say first that the skull in my office is not a real one.  It is a very accurate model.  It was a gift from someone who gets me.  The skull serves as a memento mori; a reminder of death.

Phillipe de Champaigne, Vanitas (c. 1671)

Before you think me morbid or morose please consider that this has been a practice for centuries.  It is a reminder that every day could be my last.  It is a reminder to use the time I have for Christ and for those around me. 

Every man owes a death.  Death is there to remind us that we must use the time we have.  It is both a blessing and a curse.  It reminds us that we are not free.  It reminds us that we are free.  Both are true.  We are on the journey back to God.  Death is the moment of completion. 

It is my responsibility to use the time between birth and death to love God and love those around me.  Everything else is subtext to that end.  It is each day that I am given to live for which I am thankful.  It is the talisman of the skull that reminds me to really live.

Ghosts – Dan Fogelberg

Sometimes in the night I feel it

Near as my next breath and yet untouchable

Silently the past comes stealing

Like the taste of some forbidden sweet

Along the walls in shadowed rafters

Moving like a thought through haunted atmospheres

Muted cries and echoed laughter

Banished dreams that never sank in sleep

Lost in love and found in reason

Questions that the mind can find no answers for

Ghostly eyes conspire treason

As they gather just outside the door

And every ghost that calls upon us

Brings another measure in the mystery

Death is there to keep us honest

And constantly remind us we aren't free

Down the ancient corridors

And through the gates of time

Run the ghosts of days that we've left behind

Down the ancient corridors

And through the gates of time

Run the ghosts of dreams that we left behind

Sometimes in the night I feel it

Near as my next breath and yet untouchable

Silently the past comes stealing

Like the taste of some forbidden sweet 

And every ghost that calls upon us

Brings another measure in the mystery

Death is there to keep us honest

And constantly remind us we are free

Down the ancient corridors

And through the gates of time

Run the ghosts of days that we've left behind

Down the ancient corridors

And through the gates of time

Run the ghosts of dreams that we left behind

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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Talismans – Rocks Part 1

Greetings Dear Reader,

There are times when you meet someone and your spirits instantly connect.  This is not a meeting of the person and friendship but rather a shared fire that exists only in Christ.  I have a couple of friends like that in my life.  When we connect the love and respect is there instantly. 

Last year one of those friends stopped by the house to pick up something I had repaired for her.  She left behind a kind note and some rocks.  She has read my writing about stones that are significant to me and wanted to remind me that I was significant to her.  Those rocks sit on my desk to remind me to pray for her and for those who had a deep fire for Jesus even when their lives are not the story they imagined.

Those three small stones also remind me that Christ can be rich in me in any circumstance.  Even when I sit at my desk unwilling to write and craving some kind of disconnect instead they remind me that Christ is there waiting for me to unfold my best.  Even when I am in pain, sorrow, or despair I can reach out to those who get me and value what Christ offers through me.

These talismans remind me that as a Christ follower I am never truly alone.  There are others who love Jesus and want to find him in every moment.  There are others who make choices that hinder that pursuit.  Neither my successes nor my failures are singular to me. The power is in getting my eyes off of my own things and living the community of faith based in the love of Christ and the fellowship of his followers.

In that place there is real power.

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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Talismans – A Dreidel

Greetings Dear Reader,

For those of you who do not know what a Dreidel is I will explain.  It is a four-sided top used in a game from the medieval period.  The game is traditionally played during Hanukkah.  You can read more about it here. 

The Dreidel on my desk reminds me of my Son Maxim when he was in high school.  He used to spend some of his time with friends playing the game at a diner.  It reminds me to pray for him and his relationships with God.  It reminds me of a moment when we were far apart but connected in the wee hours of the morning.

We talked over an IM service for about an hour.  He was just getting ready to sleep and I was just starting my day.  We talked about coffee, Dreidel,  and his approaching visit.  I first told him about Kopi Luwak during that chat.  He cracked up over the thought of what he called “cat poop coffee.”

He had no idea how much pain I was in during that moment.  Other forces were wreaking havoc on my spirit and his kind conversation did so much for me.  His time and the conversation pulled me back from the darkness trying to enshroud me.  I was able to face a hard day with grace and peace.

The talisman reminds every morning when I pray for my Son just how powerful he is when he is being encouraging.  It reminds me of his potential to speak good things into the lives of others.  It echoes the memory of his ability to wield faith as a mighty weapon.

I love my Son fiercely and know that God is the one who will ultimately call him back to faith.  The Dreidel reminds me to hope, pray, and believe.  It reminds me to love Maxim where he is.  It is what drives me to stand before God on his behalf.  Every time I glance at it I whisper a prayer for him. 

This talisman is one of faith.  The translation of the acrostic formed by the letters is “A miracle will happen.”  The world needs the miracle that is my Son when he moves in faith.  Perhaps you can pray for him too 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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Talismans - Opening Thoughts

Greetings Dear Reader,

I do not want you to think Dear Reader that I have gone madder than I already am.  I do not believe that objects hold magic power in the literal sense of the meaning.  I do, however, believe that we impart power both good and bad to lifeless things. 

Templar Talisman -Maltese Cross

This proceeds from the premise that so much of what we do begins in the mind.  How we think gives birth to most of what we do.  God tells us that we are what we think.  Thomas Traherne observed that “to think well is to serve God in the interior court.”

In light of that we do create talismans related to our faith and following.  There are objects that we carry along the journey that reflect what we think about differing aspects of life.  Those who believe and those who do not reflect what they think in the talismans they revere.

The most obvious one for Christ followers is the cross.  At some point it became simply jewelry to many who do not follow Jesus.  The cross does not have any power as a piece of metal or wood.  We assign it power because of the story of redemption.  It is not the cross that has power but the faith behind it.   

I am going to pull a few of the talismans that I carry out to share with you.  It is the time of year where I try to lighten my pack so I am reviewing what I carry to see what can be left behind.  To many those things that I carry would seem like useless weight.  For me they are reminders of how I should think.  I have left some behind over time as the need for them has passed.

I must assure that the talismans I carry communicate Christ to me.  They must remind me how to think about certain things.  They must not be idols or anchors to faithlessness.  They must be things that make me a better man by reminding me to think well.  They must be talismans with the power to help me follow Christ more closely.  Walk with me if you will Dear Reader and I will share some stories of my journey.

Lift up the Suffering Symbol – Michael Card

They grew tired of bread form heaven

And of Moses and of God

They longed to live the life of slavery once again

So they muttered and they grumbled

And they wimpered and they whined;

With each faithless word, sank deeper into sin

He took the pen of pain once more

To write upon their hearts

The lesson they had been so slow to learn

But writing in the sand, the firey serpents came to call

With a holy message and a bite that burned

Lift up the suffering symbol

And place it high upon a pole

Tell the children to look up and be made whole

So Moses made a metal snake,

And nailed it to a pole

Sent out the saving word so they would know

That the symbol of their suffering was now the focus of their faith

and with a faithful glance, the healing power would flow

In time the brazen serpent became an idol in the land

And they left the living God to worship clay

When they forgot their suffering

Soon true faith had disappeared

So some idolize a brazen cross today

Lift up the suffering symbol

And place it high upon a pole

Tell the children to look up and be made whole

Tell the children to look up and be made

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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