The Least of These ~ Closing Thoughts

Greetings Dear Reader,

We live in a world where there are many in need.  It is taxing on our spirit when our needs exceed our ability to meet them.  We all see those in need if we only look up and observe.

In the next days we will begin to hear of efforts to feed the poor and care for is want.  In a little over a month the Salvation Army kettles will appear and we will notice them or we will not.  Reminders of the poor are now and will always be all around us. 

I must not let a day pass that I do not express gratitude for all that I have and be aware of those in need.  All that I have is by God’s grace and provision.  It is given to me to care for not to possess.  It is not mine to own but to care for and manage. 

All that I truly possess is intangible.  The Father’s love and grace gives me life and feeds me.  It provides for my needs.  Everything I have to use or consume is intended to help me see that love and grace.  It is also intended to help others see the provision of the Father in our lives.

As I move on to other topics that are part of this journey, I must do so with the understanding that the Father wants me to see the needs of others and meet them where I can.  He desires for me to depend on him for my needs so that he can show his power and love through provision.   Jesus made it clear that whatever we do to those in need we do to him.  What are we doing to Jesus today?

The other day someone asked me how I was doing financially.  My immediate response without thinking was, “God provided for me for today.”   Should that not be how we always respond Dear Reader?  Is ii not our obligation to depend on our Father every day?  As we move on to other thoughts and questions more aligned with the seasons, can we agree to see those in need as we do and promise each other that we will help where we can?

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:

Support Page on Patreon: www.patreon.com/aramisthorn

This BLOG:  http://aramisthorn.blogspot.com/ 

Novels on Amazon             

Web Page:  www.aramisthorn.com

Booking s at aramisthorn@aramisthorn.com

Twitter            Medium    

Kids BLOG

Facebook      Google +   

The Least of These ~ Widows and Orphans

Greetings Dear Reader,

Please put on your steel-toed shoes before you continue.  I have no intent to step on toes today but this part of the dance is awkward for me at times.  I love you and wish you no harm.  Remember that I am looking in my own heart and sharing it with you.  If, however, the conviction fits…

Yesterday I talked about the need for fathers and the Father heart of God.  Today I want to address the least of these that we create when we are not faithful loving husbands and fathers.  We create our age’s version of widows and orphans.  We see droves of single mothers working hard to provide for their needs and to care for their children. 

When I failed my wife and sons one of my friends rightly told them that he would serve them as if she were a widow and they were orphans.  When a father abandons his family on any level he creates this.  Those who claim to follow Christ do not do enough to care for these needs.  We have no true faith if we do not care for the needs of widows and orphans.

Too much of our effort goes to things that do not matter when we could stand out to those in need by our generosity and care.  We cannot hope to think that we are faithful if we are not faithful to this.  We let jealousy, greed, judgement, and our own interests get in the way attending to this command from Christ.  We all know someone who is a single parent and could use some kindness and support.

If we know a single mom and are not doing something to ease her burden then we are not taking care of our modern-day widows and orphans.  There are so many ways to help and all we have to do is make that help available.  If we offer our help those in need will come.  It is never too soon to recognize the need to practice true faith Dear Reader.  I know that I can do more.  How about you?

Don’t Tell Them Jesus Loves Them – Steve Camp

Oh, the suffering souls

Crying out for love

In a world that seldom cares

See the hungry hearts

Longing to be filled

With much more than our prayers

And a young girl sells herself on Seventh Avenue

And you hear her crying out for help

My God! What will we do?

Don't tell them Jesus loves them

‘Till you're ready to love them too!

‘Till your heart breaks from their sorrow

And the pain they're going through

With a life full of compassion

May we do what we must do?

Don't tell them Jesus loves them

‘Till you're ready to love them too!

All the desperate men

Are we reaching for the souls,

That are sinking down sin?

Oh, cry for the church

We've lost our passion for the lost

And there are billions left to win

And another 40,000 children starved to death today

Would we risk all we have

To see one of them saved!?!

Don't tell them Jesus loves them

‘Till you're ready to love them too!

‘Till your heart breaks from their sorrow

And the pain they're going through

With a life full of compassion

May we do what we must do?

Don't tell them Jesus loves them

‘Till you're ready to love them too!

Why have we waited so long

To show them Jesus lives

To share salvation's song!

Why have our hearts become so proud

That we fail to see

To love them is to love God!

And a young girl sells herself on Seventh Avenue

Hear her crying out for help

What will we do?

Don't tell them Jesus loves them

‘Till you're ready to love them too!

‘Till your heart breaks from their sorrow

And the pain they're going through

With a life full of compassion

May we do what we must do?

Don't tell them Jesus loves them

‘Till you're ready to love them too!

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:

Support Page on Patreon: www.patreon.com/aramisthorn

This BLOG:  http://aramisthorn.blogspot.com/ 

Novels on Amazon             

Web Page:  www.aramisthorn.com

Booking s at aramisthorn@aramisthorn.com

Twitter            Medium    

Kids BLOG

Facebook      Google +   

The Least of These ~ The Fatherless

Greetings Dear Reader,

I have discussed this relative to my own journey.  I have just begun to correlate it to the bigger picture in a way that is vital to the overall journey.  The idea father is one of which I realize that I have so little understanding.   Someone told me recently that I cannot father well until I learn how to be a son.  My understanding of good fathers is so limited.

Our culture has lost the idea of real fathering.  Too many of us have a poor concept of what a loving father is.  We have too many fathers who have abused and abandoned their children.  We are a fatherless society in desperate need of fathers.

The relation to this topic is that so many fatherless are seen as the least of these.  Fathers failing to be there emotional, mentally, and physically for their children have created a poverty that is unparalleled.  It is not only one of physical need but it is a psychological, emotional, and faith poverty that leaves us destitute orphans.

We are supposed to be representing the Father to the world in all of his love and grace.  We are meant to show the Father heart of God to the world.  When we do not show this love by helping those in need, we hinder their ability to see the Father.  We all need to see this.

Attending to the needs of others; really helping the fatherless is a way to see the Father more clearly ourselves.  In helping the fatherless with their needs, we get to see the impact of the Father’s love in real action.  We are benefited by both the giving and the observation.

The idea is for us to become conduits for the love that the Father wants us all to share.  When we see the needs of others through a father’s eyes, we find that we have more compassion, more desire to help, and the motivation to give.  We can abandon selfishness.  We can become better children of the Father.

This terrifies me.  I must admit that it also is evident that I am in the midst of learning how much the Father loves me and wishes to be a Father to me.  I am learning and having to own how poor a father I have been.  I must focus on learning before I can ever hope to be an example to others. 

I do not know what the Father has in store for me.  I am trying to let him Father me.  I am ready to learn.  It is taking a full reset of who I think I am.  It requires that I trust in ways that I do not know how.  I can see how this past year has required me to lose so much to begin to learn this.  Please keep praying for me Dear Reader.  I am praying for you to see the Father and all his love for you.

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:

Support Page on Patreon: www.patreon.com/aramisthorn

This BLOG:  http://aramisthorn.blogspot.com/ 

Novels on Amazon             

Web Page:  www.aramisthorn.com

Booking s at aramisthorn@aramisthorn.com

Twitter            Medium    

Kids BLOG

Facebook      Google +   

The Least of These ~ But what about…Part 2

Greetings Dear Reader,

I feel poor.  I have not had a real job in a year and a half.  I worked briefly over the summer but there is still nothing for work that sustains me.  It is not for lack of trying.  I continue to focus on my writing and marketing it.  But there is more.

We always ask when we discuss the needs of the poor, “What about my needs?”  I am in the position where I have to weigh every penny I spend.  I do not know where my ability to meet my needs is going to come from.  I am learning what it means to depend on the Father for all my needs. 

Yet in the midst of that I have this yearning to give.  I long to be able to help others.  It saddens me that I do not have enough to share with those in need.  I realize that any day someone could pick up one of my books and make it an overnight best seller.  In light of that I have a plan, written down, of how I would help others.  I want to always have a heart to give every moment.  I do not want to be someone who is guilty of worrying about my own needs when the Father points me toward the needs of others.

The least of these are always with us.  There is always someone who has greater need than me.  There is always something that I have to give.  I write this blog mainly for my own walk with Christ.  I also put it out there for you Dear Reader in hopes that you benefit from my journey and that perhaps you can journey with me from time to time.  I hope you see it as the gift I mean it to be for you.

We are required to consider those in need.  We are obligated to listen to that voice that tells us to help.  When we feel the pressure of our own needs the Father promises to meet them.  He promises that he has great plans for us.  He promises to supply all our needs through Christ according to HIS riches and glory.

If I truly believe that the Father will care for me, then I dare not think “What about my needs” when I feel the needs of others in my heart.  I cannot afford to neglect that the Father is my source and wants to help others through me.  Perhaps this writing will help you be free to do that as well Dear Reader.  There is no one so poor as those with abundance who will not give to those in need.

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:

Support Page on Patreon: www.patreon.com/aramisthorn

This BLOG:  http://aramisthorn.blogspot.com/ 

Novels on Amazon             

Web Page:  www.aramisthorn.com

Bookings at aramisthorn@aramisthorn.com

Facebook      Google +   

Twitter            Medium    

Kids BLOG

The Least of These ~ But what about…Part 1

Greetings Dear Reader,

I have a friend who has been my friend since I first found Christ and actually before I made the choice to follow Jesus.  His family was good to me when I was determined to destroy myself with drugs, depression, and anger.  He asked the following about yesterday’s post. 

“So well said! So, we pull up to an intersection where an individual displays a sign of homelessness or hunger - we face a couple of decisions! 1- is this a real needy individual? 2- should I play a part in helping. I can speak for myself in that I don't always know what to do ....” (Glenn)

I am going to take a couple of days to respond to this because I wish to be sure that I am honest, introspective, and do not just give a pat answer.  I also think it will take a couple of days to ensure that I cover the entire answer. This may hurt if you have tender toes or like easy answers.

First, I will begin by addressing the exact situation that Glenn mentions.  Having lived in a town where a group of people formed a cooperative to stand on the corner and seek donations as a full time avocation, I understand his question.  There reasoning was that “working” the corners paid more than working a McDonald's.  In the gentlest way possible I want to point out that Jesus addressed this. 

Mat 5:42 “Give to everyone who asks you for something. Don't turn anyone away who wants to borrow something from you.”  I have read this in many translations.  In none of them are there qualifiers.  There is nothing that says “unless you think they are an addict or a drunk.”  No matter how we address it this is a command from Jesus. 

Does that mean that the guy or gal at the stoplight is asking me directly?  I do not know. I do know that what is done with my gift of kindness is between the receiver and God.  If I give a gift it is no longer mine to manage.  I never wore the bright brown mustard yellow wool sweater that my aunt gave me.  It was a gift for me to use as I saw fit (which it did not).  Two years after I received it a friend commented on how much she liked it when she saw it in my coat closet.  I gave it to her.  My aunt’s gift to me was never used by me but it was used by someone who loved it.

I am not saying that we are to be irresponsible with what God provides but we see over and over that the Father wants us to be generous, liberal givers.  Consider these words from Solomon.  “Whoever has a bountiful eye will be blessed, for he shares his bread with the poor.” (Proverbs 22:9) I would rather spend my time having an eye toward the needs of others than worrying about their motive and machinations.  Solomon also says this.  “The one who is gracious to the poor lends to the LORD, and the LORD will repay him for his good deed.” (Proverbs 19:17) There are very few places where we can assuredly say that the Creator of all things is indebted to us.   I want to embrace the idea of the Father owing me something with humility and grace.

But wait! There is more.  You see, we are not simply supposed to give to the poor and needy.  Paul instructs Timothy carefully.  “Charge them that are rich in this world, that they be not high-minded, nor trust in uncertain riches, but in the living God, who giveth us richly all things to enjoy; That they do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to distribute, willing to communicate.” 1 Timothy 6:17-18

Not only are we supposed to be ready and willing to give liberally to the poor.  We are required to be willing to communicate with them.  If we look at the meaning of the word translated “communicate” we find this:

Communicate, koinōnikos

1) social, sociable, ready and apt to form and maintain communion and fellowship

2) inclined to make others sharers in one’s possessions, inclined to impart, free in giving, liberal (Thayer)

We are required to be sociable and make those in need part of our community.  We are to commune with them.  We cannot do this if we drop the thirteen cents from our six-dollar Grande cup into the homeless guy’s empty one without making eye contact.  We ignore opportunities to be generous and establish community every day.  We trade generosity and community for hot milkshakes. 

So how do we apply this?  For me I must realize that even though I am poor right now I am not excused from giving where I can and being good to those in need.  (I mean this.  As blessed as I am I have no income and cannot seem to get a job.  If you feel generous and want to help you can through my Patreon page. www.patreon.com/aramisthorn)  I do not know what it means to you and I will get on to more of this tomorrow.  What it means to me and for me is that I must look for opportunities to be generous and kind to the poor.

We have so much more than we realize.  It is in giving that we find our true richness.  It is in seeking community that we find our desire to give.  When we see those begging for food perhaps we should picture Jesus with the basin and the towel washing the feet of the man who would deny him.  Perhaps that image will become more important to us than the motivations of the guy on the corner with the cardboard sign.  No matter what we imagine, it always becomes a matter of our heart to give over another human’s failings.  It is our love for the Father and our neighbor that must move us.

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:

Support Page on Patreon: www.patreon.com/aramisthorn

This BLOG:  http://aramisthorn.blogspot.com/ 

Novels on Amazon             

Web Page:  www.aramisthorn.com

Bookings at aramisthorn@aramisthorn.com

Facebook      Google +   

Twitter            Medium    

Kids BLOG

The Least of These ~ Unity

Greetings Dear Reader,

When we consider the poor in our lives, how do we think?  Do we see the homeless and needy as part of our community?  Do we love them as neighbors?  If we follow Christ do we see them as part of our church?

Forgive me if this makes you uncomfortable.  I am not trying to create guilt or pressure.  I am trying to recall my own obligation relative to those who are poor and in need.  The least of these in every community are not the sole responsibility of the local government.  We are not allowed to relegate them to the fringe or marginalize them as people we can ignore. 

Those in need are our business as much as any other good endeavor.  The danger is that if we neglect those in need we damage our own unity in Christ.  We become unable to function in the manner we are intended to just as if our physical body had a traumatic injury or loss.  Instead of being able to follow Christ we limp along believing that we are following. 

We fail to follow when we create the disunity of neglecting the poor in our community. I cannot claim to be seeking unity and to love all humans if I do not seek to help the poor where I can.  Even now, when I am down to near nothing I need to be aware of ways in which I can give to the needs of others.  My prayer needs to be that I have enough to give to those in need.  I cannot create unity and peace if I neglect those in need.  There are so many with greater needs than mine.  The call is to community and I am supposed to include everyone.  Do you agree 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 ͡°)

Contacts for Aramis Thorn:

Support Page on Patreon: www.patreon.com/aramisthorn

This BLOG:  http://aramisthorn.blogspot.com/ 

Novels on Amazon             

Web Page:  www.aramisthorn.com

Bookings at aramisthorn@aramisthorn.com

Facebook      Google +   

Twitter            Medium    

Kids BLOG

The Least of These ~ Socialism that Works

Greetings Dear Reader,

In the second book written by Luke, Acts, he explains that the early church held all things in common and that everyone was given freely whatever was needed.  When social welfare is based on the belief that God owns everything and that he will supply all that we need, it can work.  I have yet to see that enacted by anyone who claims to be a socialist in our society. 

The problem with modern day socialism is not the idea of social welfare.  It is trying to enforce it out of obligation or law instead of love motivating it that works.  I am not here, however, to rant against secular socialism.  I want to focus on the idea of being socially aware of the needs of others.

If I am going to really consider the needs of the poor then I must limit what I own.  It is not wrong to have things that I like.  It is not that the Father does not want me to have good things.  In fact, it is just the opposite.  He wants to give us what our heart desires.  He provided for this in the Law, mentions it in the proverbs, and promises in the epistles.

It is in seeking him first that it is conditional.  We are to pursue Christ and consider all “things” lost for the sake of doing that.  When I share freely and liberally with those who have need then the Father is free to give us what we desire that falls in line with following his Son. 

If we truly desire to follow Christ then we need to realize that all of mankind is our responsibility.   The church should be known for its generosity and provision for those in need.  Instead we build gold domes and crystal palaces.  If we hope to transform the world we need to get past the ideas of greed and possession.  We need to embrace the idea that if anyone is hungry we will sacrifice what is needed to feed them, even our enemies. 

What is the impact if we depend on the Father for all that we need and desire and consider all things available to those who need?  If we give to those in need no matter their station and status we lose nothing.  It is in this giving that we find freedom from things and the power of mobility to follow Christ.

I must approach the season of giving with the heart of one who only has Christ as a possession.  “With Jesus our only possession then giving becomes our delight.”  In a world that has lost respect for the church and sees it as callus and greedy, perhaps a dose of social welfare is exactly what is needed.  I know that I need to have that approach with everyone.  Perhaps we can talk together as we journey Dear Reader and discuss how we will lighten our burden by sharing with the poor. 

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:

Support Page on Patreon: www.patreon.com/aramisthorn

This BLOG:  http://aramisthorn.blogspot.com/ 

Novels on Amazon             

Web Page:  www.aramisthorn.com

Bookings at aramisthorn@aramisthorn.com

Facebook      Google +   

Twitter            Medium    

Kids BLOG

The Least of These ~ Opening Thoughts

Greetings Dear Reader,

Halloween is a couple of weeks away.  Harvests are mostly gathered in the Northern Hemisphere.  Spring planting and promise of harvest is renewed in the Southern one.  The world is ready to turn toward the season of celebrations and winter or summer.  In the United States there are already reminders of Thanksgiving and Christmas in the shops.  Our Canadian neighbors have already had their Thanksgiving.  Churches and social services organizations are gearing up for their campaigns to aid the poor.

I want to spend some time pondering the poor and who they really are.  I feel that we have set aside too much of our responsibility in helping those who are in need.  It seems to me that we do not really take care of each other.  I am not doing this because I want to shame or chastise anyone else.  Rather, even though I am struggling with my own needs, I have to make sure that I do what I can to help those in need.  I must not forget that part of my seeking the provision of my needs to ask that I have enough to help the poor.

It troubles me deeply that we need to think about this at all.  It should be our nature to care for those in need.  It should be part of our common practice to feed our enemies when they are hungry.  Instead we argue about it and point to our own fear as justification for it.

Please walk with me among the bright colours of Autumn in our hemisphere and the growing warmth of Spring in the Southern one.  Let us reason out how we can always have an eye out for those in need as we journey.  If I have little it does not free me from caring for those who have less.  When I have abundance, the responsibility is to understand and live out that I can do more.    I do not wish to fail whilst I am struggling to have the right heart, mind, and actions concerning those who are also in need.

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:

Support Page on Patreon: www.patreon.com/aramisthorn

This BLOG:  http://aramisthorn.blogspot.com/ 

Novels on Amazon             

Web Page:  www.aramisthorn.com

Bookings at aramisthorn@aramisthorn.com

Facebook      Google +   

Twitter            Medium    

Kids BLOG

The Road to Bethlehem – Through Long December Nights

Merry Christmas Dear Reader,

Today is one of the best days of the Christmas season to me.   In a few hours my family will gather and we will do some volunteer work, share a meal, and spend the day decorating my Son’s home.  It is the doing something to help others that excites me.  Sharing with my family is a bonus.

I cannot rightly celebrate the birth of Christ without doing things for the poor and needy.  I have been poor.  I have been homeless.   I know what it like to barter for a bed and beg for bread.   It was the grace and kindness of those who are professionals at caring for the poor who helped me.  I knew people who had plenty and they turned a blind eye to my needs. 

It was strangers who helped me.  It was the generosity of those I will never meet that fed me.  It is the work of those who have and share that gave me a bed during that time.  It is this doing for those who can never thank you that drives me.  

I must follow Christ and on that journey I must see clearly how I can help others.  I must always be moved by those in need and want.  It is in them that I will see Christ clearly and grow closer in the following; but only if I help.

Jack Frost and the Hooded Crow – Jethro Tull

Through long December nights we talk in words of rain or snow

While you, through chattering teeth, reply and curse us as you go.

Why not spare a thought this day for those who have no flame

To warm their bones at Christmas time?

Say Jack Frost and the Hooded Crow.

Now as the last broad oak leaf falls, we beg: consider this ---

There's some who have no coin to save for turkey, wine or gifts.

No children's laughter round the fire, no family left to know.

So lend a warm and a helping hand ---

Say Jack Frost and the Hooded Crow.

As holly pricks and ivy clings,

Your fate is none too clear.

The Lord may find you wanting, let your good fortune disappear.

All homely comforts blown away and all that's left to show

Is to share your joy at Christmas time

With Jack Frost and the Hooded Crow.

Through long December nights we talk in words of rain or snow

While you, through chattering teeth, reply and curse us as you go.

Why not spare a thought this day for those who have no flame

To warm their bones at Christmas time?

Say Jack Frost and the Hooded Crow.

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 ͡°)

Every Diner – Closing Thoughts

Greetings Dear Reader,

I have probably left some very obvious metaphors out of the discussion.  I want to be clear that I still see value in the Church and even in the local church.  I also see that there needs to be vast change in the way we approach the social aspects of the Gospel.

People rarely continue to eat at a diner with bad food.  Some do because there is some other need that gets met there.  People tend to go where they get their needs met.  People tend to stay where they feel welcome.

I have recently seen local churches act very badly regarding the needs of others.  Perhaps they have forgotten just how closely they area watched by those outside the faith and those just outside the doors.  Even if you see the church as merely a business that just uses God I think you might agree they do not always act in a way that attracts customers.

We the Church need to see this reality and demand that the local church become an every diner to those in need.  The social gospel must never overtake the Gospel but it must remain a central part of it.  Things must change or the right to be heard will be lost along with our effectiveness. 

More importantly that change must begin with me.  I must assure that I am living all the things that are required of me as a Christ follower.  I cannot ignore the needs of others when I have the ability to help.  I cannot refuse to be good to others as a way of life.  I cannot travel the journey with a blind eye toward the needs of my fellow travelers. 

This is a discipline that gets easier as it is practiced.  The examples from Christ are sufficient to figure out what to do to obey.  The opportunities are endless.  I just need to remain aware and prepared.  He is in those moments where we do what is right no matter what the cost to us.  After all, if Jesus said we would find him among “the least of these.”  If we want to find Jesus should we not look for him where he says he is?

Distressing Disguise – Michael Card

He is in the pain, He is in the need

He is in the poor, we are told to feed

Though He was rich, for us He became poor

How could He give so much, what was it for?

In His distressing disguise

He waits for us to surmise

That we rob our brothers by all that we own

And that's not the way He has shown

Every time a faithful servant serves

A brother that's in need

What happens at that moment is a miracle indeed

As they look to one another in an instant it is clear

Only Jesus is visible for they've both disappeared

He is in the hand that reaches out to give

He is in the touch that causes men to live

So speak with your life now as well as your tongue

Shelter the homeless, take care of the young

In His distressing disguise

He hopes that we'll realize

That when we take care of the poorest of them

We've really done it to Him

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 ͡°)

Why I love Christmas – Bell Ringing

Happy Christmas Dear Reader,

I have spoken of this often over the last two months.  Today is the last opportunity I have to participate in the joyous event this season.  Even though I am not in full health today I will not forgo this precious time.

For just a couple hours of my time I get such great return.  I get to see the smiles of those who get it concerning giving to those in need as they drop pennies or dollars into the kettle.  I am enriched by those who stop to comment on the value of the Salvation Army.  I find true joy in knowing the good that will be done by the money collected.

At the center of my joy is a portion of redemption by inches.  Before she was safe someone associated with the Salvation Army did great harm to Christmas.  Each year I have seen her heal and grow to understand that this wicked man was not the sum of the face of the Salvation Army.  She has met a friend who works there and see how the organization helps those in need.

As with all things done by humans this organization has its flaws.  Overall, however, I consider it great joy and blessing to spend some time aiding in this cause.  So I will ring again this morning and pray for those in need as I do.  I will then put away my silver bell until the next opportunity.  I will not put away my thoughts and compassion for those in need.  It is a part of Christmas I carry with me always. 

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 ͡°)