Second Thoughts ~ All Y’all Got to Deal with all Y’all’s Stuff because I Need Some Sleep

Greetings Dear Reader,

First, please understand that everything I am about to write, though important, is said lightheartedly and without any regret.  If you get that, you may proceed and if not, read the first sentence until you can read the pass the second one (this one) with integrity.  It is an attempt to show my love for you with a little humor.

Many of you know that I have a committed morning prayer time during which I gladly will pray for you if you are in need.  My closest friend does the same and, on some occasions, we get to share time together giving intercession for you.  Then there are weeks like this one.  Before I go into that, however, you need to understand my sleep habits a bit.

I retire between 11:00 and 12:00 each evening.  I rise at 4:00.  I have been this way most of my life.  Just this would have justified mother doing away with me when I was a child.  She let me live and has never let me forget that she did.  Still, I sleep very little.  What little sleep I do achieve is deep and resonant.  Back to this week.

Sunday, I had to attend to a private matter and was unable to go to my usual Sunday evening service.  I thought this would be an opportunity to get a bit of extra rest and so I settled in at 10:00 pm with the thought that I would arise at 4:00 ready for Monday.  God had other plans.  I awakened at 2:07 a.m. having had an alarming dream about my friend Jeff.  He and I have had several conversations about the mystical aspects of our faith and my desire to believe them without dancing with them.

I got up and prayed for Jeff.  Once awake, I did not return to sleep.  So, Monday was my usual routine of writing, prayer, work, and writing.  I did get to have a lovely conversation with a close friend and we finished around 11:25 in the evening.  I was asleep by midnight.  I was awakened at 2:07 a.m. (yes, the same time but I am avoiding the mystical stuff) from a dream about Avalon and spent time praying for her.  No return to sleep was there either.  So, Tuesday was again my usual routine of writing, prayer, work, and writing but I am running on half of my usual sleep.

Tuesday, I went to sleep at 10:00 thinking that even if I awakened at 3:00 I would get enough rest to see me through the day.  God was not interested in that.  No dream this time but I woke up at 1:30 a.m. needing to pray for my friend Tripp (had it been 2:07 I would have been a bit nervous).  I prayed and did not return to sleep.  I am sure that the Father gets a kick out of watching me dance this jig and I do not mind dancing it when needed. 

I do wish that you folks would do something for me in the future, however.  Going forward could you please arrange to need prayer between 5:30 a.m. and 8:00 a.m., Monday through Saturday.  This is my scheduled prayer time and I am happy to pray for you Dear Reader.  Really, all you have to do is tell the Father not to bother with it until I am available for prayer. 

Seriously, however, it will not matter to me when you need prayer.  You may call, text, message, or ask at any time.  Avalon and I did have an interesting conversation about the need for prayer which I am developing into either a post or a very long book.  We will see how that unfolds.  Until then, please all of you get your act together so that I can get some sleep.

 

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 homeowner. He liberally hands out new and old things from his great treasure store.”

(͡° ͜ʖ ͡°)

Contacts for Aramis Thorn:

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Second Thoughts ~ Transitional Texting

Greetings Dear Reader,

You know that I do not believe in coincidence.  I believe that everything happens for a reason.  Our failures may set things in motion that seem horrible but the Father is the ultimate player of pawns and a universal class counter-puncher.  There is a purpose behind everything.  So, I ask you to walk with me to the end of this I that light.

Due to my lack of income I had to give up my phone in November.   I was unable to afford it again until a few weeks ago.  On January 17^th I got a new number as my old one was no longer available.  I had not given this number at that time to anyone but my publisher.  Then on January 23^rd, whilst I was observing my morning prayer time the real story began to unfold.

I received this text:

“How is Alyssa?”

My response was, “I am not sure who this is.”

“Is this Herb,” came the reply?

I responded, already praying for Alyssa, “I am not Herb but I am in the midst of my morning prayer time.  I can pray for Alyssa if you wish.”

The reply came, “Sorry and yes please.  She is my niece and had a seizure yesterday and became unresponsive.  They life-flighted her to Atlanta and found that she had a brain bleed.  They did emergency surgery to stop the bleeding and she is in the ICU.  Thank you.”

As the individual texting me continued to explain, she too saw that this was not an accident.  I immediately asked for prayer from the rest of the people at the House of Prayer.  I also shared the story with my small group that evening.  By the end of the day I knew of over thirty people who were praying for this girl I have never met.  I still do not even know her aunt/uncle’s name. 

The update today was that she has had another surgery.  Her mother has not worked since Alyssa went to the hospital.  The family needs our support and prayer.   I asked the aunt/uncle to share the GOFUNDME page with me.  Here is the LINK. 

Please pray for Alyssa.  Please pray for her family.  If you can give to help her family care her that would be great but what she needs most is healing.  Her aunt/uncle and I agree that nothing happens by accident.  There is a Divine purpose at work here and I am honored to be a backstage part of it.  I will keep you posted Dear Reader.  Please feel free to share this.  It matters.

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

Novels on Amazon             

Web Page:  www.aramisthorn.com

Bookings: aramisthorn@aramisthorn.com

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Second Thoughts ~ Praying in School

Greetings Dear Reader,

One of the things you encounter as a teacher and a Christ follower is that in school you must be very careful about the things you would naturally say.  Twice in the last two weeks the subject of God has come up with students.  The first time I was able to deflect the subject to something acceptable it in the classroom from a legal standpoint.

The second time the idea of God caught me by surprise.  We are studying insects and today we were listing various types of insects.  The children were excited to talk about crickets, grasshoppers, and lightning bugs.  We talked about the parts of insects; the head, the abdomen, and the thorax.  We discuss that they have six legs.  It was pointed out that they have the antennae.

Class was humming along and all of little minds were participating and contributed. Then Lydia (not her real name) broad up another insect.  She has very politely if a Praying Mantis was an insect.  I, instead of answering asked a question.  I asked Lydia if that Praying Mantis had six legs, antennae, and the body parts of an insect. Lydia loudly proclaimed that it did.

I began to explain why the Praying Mantis is a very interesting insect.  At this point, Paul (not his real name) raised his hand but did not wait for me to call on him.  He proclaimed loudly that I was not allowed to talk about God or prayer in school.  He made it very clear to me that if I did not stop talking about praying he would tell me.

So here was my dilemma: how does one explain the difference between the Praying Mantis and praying?  I chose to take the risk of explaining the difference between the word prey and pray.  I realize that the Praying Mantis is spelled like the prayer we offered to God.  Unfortunately, so did Paul.

At this point I tried to explain to Paul that the Mantis only had that name because of how it held its arms when it was hunting.  Paul insisted that I was still talking about for prayer.  Fortunately, a very intelligent young girl named Siyanna (not her real name) came to my rescue.  She pointed out that there were many words that had more than one meaning and that this could be one of them.

This seemed to mollify Paul and we went on with a lesson.  It troubles me greatly that children who so desperately need to understand prayer and how it works have learned that the word itself is not a good thing.  I will never violate the law and the school classroom by talking about prayer.  I will, however, constantly pray for these young children who need to see how much God loves them.  We need to understand his compassion, mercy, and grace to face a world we’re talking about talking to him is seen as either foolish or forbidden.  I respect the institution that has given me a job and I understand the need to obey the rules.  This does not prevent my heart on the yearning for everyone I encounter, especially children to see the love that Christ offers them.

This motivates me to pray, show these children love, and teach them to think.  It also makes me understand that the Praying Mantis may have caused the fodder to about prayer.  I will not take advantage of the situation but it will teach me to be kinder, gentler, and to find ways to live the Gospel without saying a word.

I have always loved the insect called the Praying Mantis.  Today I appreciate it more and the lessons it has to teach me.  There is no substitute for looking at the beauty of creation and finding a way to catch hold of the Creator.

Wishing you joy in the journey,

Aramis Thorn

Mat 13:52 So Jesus said to them, "That is why every writer who has become a disciple of Christ’s rule of the universe is like a home owner. He liberally hands out new and old things from his great treasure store.”

(͡° ͜ʖ ͡°)

Contacts for Aramis Thorn:

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

Facebook      Google +   

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Kids BLOG

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Bookings at aramisthorn@aramisthorn.com

The Mail We Discard

Greetings Dear Reader,

I am relating this tale as told to me by Michael Sharp, my closest friend and deepest confidant.  The puzzle dragon was also present but all she cares about is books.  She had no comment as she considers trusting the Father a given.  The names are fictitious to guard the anonymous.  The events reported are pure fact. 

It is my experience that we get about three million pieces of junk mail for every item we get that matters.  I have long held the practice of keeping a rubbish bin by the mail table so that I do not handle junk mail twice.  Today the events unfolded thusly: 

• At nine in the morning I informed by realtor that I could not make my monthly payment as I did not have the funds. 
• At five that evening I received a note assuring me that I would lose my home in five days if I did not pay. 
• At five ‘o two I reassured my daughter that even though I felt discouraged I refused to give up on my faith. 
• At five ’o seven my daughter prayed for the Father to show me how he would meet my needs so that I would not worry and so that I would sleep.
• At five fifteen my daughter left for her child care job and I checked the mail.

There were three pieces of mail:

1. The first item was a cardboard mailer from the local grocer promising me wonderful deals on excellent food, Cokes, and Easter Candy.  I could not buy food this week because I might not have a place to put it next week.
2. The second item was an offer from a lender offering me $20,000 in a signature loan if I would just confirm my employment.  (I do not think that “unemployed” would do the trick).
3. The third item was a plain white envelope with a window for my address, a return address in numbers and arcane symbols, and a metered mail postal payment reading $00.27.  I thought that they could at least let me know who they are if they were going to spend 27 cents to send me the letter.  Then again, I considered, since they had invested more than a quarter getting the letter to me I should at least open it.

I carefully opened the mail and was gravely disappointed.  It was almost as plain as the envelope.  The first third of the single tri-folded page was the date (February 16, 2018).  I received this on March 5^th and wondered where it had gone for two weeks.  The rest of the third of the page was blank save for my name, mailing address, and more arcane numbers.

The second third contained an invitation to log in and update my investment portfolio.  I laughed at God’s sense of humor at sending this to me and started to throw it away in the rubbish.  It was good enough that I had been reminded that my needs were not met by any portfolio but by a Father who loves me.

As I tossed the letter and envelope in the rubbish something happened that I NEVER ignore.  That small spot on the left center rear of my neck began to ping.  Not “one ping only” but pinging like a closing torpedo.  The kind of pinging that is all the alarms going off at once.  Some people, even some who do not believe in God refer to this as the “God Spot”.  Whatever it is I never ignore that ping, once or otherwise.  Listening to that ping has saved my life at least twice.

If only to stop the pinging I retrieved that letter and read the bottom third VERY carefully.  It was this line for which the torpedo was intended: “Please contact us immediately regarding the disposition of your OLD 401k account”.   I said to myself, “I do not have any old 401k accounts.  What could they mean?”

I dismissed it and thought to return the letter to the rubbish.  I heard the pinging ramping up at just the thought.  Instead I called the investment institution’s 800 number.  I spoke to a lovely southern lady named Carol. 

She took me through 3,721 security steps to verify I was the person to whom they had intended to send the letter.  I thought how glad I was that the letter had been so short as this process was so very long. 

I was very glad that I remembered what street I lived on when I was seven (Crest Hill).   I struggled but recalled that the first car registered in my name was my Grandfather’s 1965 Dodge Dart.  I was nervous for a moment when I had to verify that I have never had a license to be a beautician in Phoenix, a chiropractor in Bangor, or an insurance sales person in Opelika. 

Having passed all of the steps, Carol explained that an error had been made when transferring my 401k from one company to another and there was money in the old account but since I was not employed they needed to resolve the account.  She intoned sweetly that she had one more question for me.  She asked me how I would like to deal with the funds in the old account.  I nervously asked her how much it was, hoping it would be enough to cover my housing for the month.  It was more than that.  I began to weep.  I began to tell her without reservation that I had been praying for God to sustain me.  Carol began to cry as well.

I am sure that the Father got a good laugh out of my concern for March when he had already mailed me the answer in February.  I am certain that he got a kick out of me joking with my daughter, “I better check the mail in case someone sent me some money” (that happened this week and last week so I have learned my lesson about joking concerning it).

The gist is this: God does care for me.  He does know what he is doing.  He will reward my faith and the work I do to show that faith.  I thank Aramis for his platform to share this adventure in the journey.  I thank my friends and family who pray for me and wish me well.  I am humbled by the ones both anonymous and known who have given to help me.  Faith works.  God is good all the time.

Wishing you joy in the journey,

Guest writer Michael Sharp and…

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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Prayer: What Does Not Work ~ Closing Thoughts

Greetings Dear Reader,

Prayer is how we converse with our Father.  It is the way he has chosen for us to communicate our adoration, confession, thankfulness, and supplication.  Prayer must be a constant conversation.

Treating the Father as a wish list or vending machine does not work.  Only talking to God when we are in crisis is insulting and all too common.  We do not do what we should and then expect the Father to live up to our expectations.  We expect him to ignore or ignoring him and be attendant to our needs when we are at a loss.

Worse, we place expectations on how he should act.  We also demand that God do things our way.  If we do not get the result from prayer that we wish then we rage against God. We question his wisdom and authority. We even abandon him.  

Too often we use prayer to try to bend God to our religion.  We want our will to be his will instead of learning to make ours subject to his.  I must pray always.  I must converse with God like the loving Father he is.  Respect, obedience, and understanding are my responsibility.  Trust and faith are required of me.  I must pray always constantly with these things in mind.

My God – Aqualung

People, what have you done

Locked Him in His golden cage

Golden cage

Made Him bend to your religion

Him resurrected from the grave

From the grave

He is the God of nothing

If that's all that you can see

You are the God of everything

He's inside you and me

So lean upon Him gently

And don't call on Him to save you

From your social graces

And the sins you used waive

You used to waive

The bloody Church of England

In chains of history

Requests your earthly presence at

The vicarage for tea

And the graven image you know

With His plastic crucifix

He's got him fixed

Confuses me as to who and where and why

As to how he gets his kicks

He gets his kicks

Confessing to the endless sin

The endless whining sounds

You'll be praying 'til next Thursday to

All the Gods that you can count

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 ͡°)

Prayer: What Does Not Work ~ A Matter of Will

Greetings Dear Reader,

As a matter of reminder, I realize that all of you do not pray of believe what I believe.  One of my hopes is that in dealing with these issues for my own growth I am able to also show that not all of us see God as a vending machine or complaint box.

One of the things that we forget to consider is what the Father wills.  We have free will.  I touched on this earlier.  That means that God allows us to disobey if we choose to do so.  It does not mean that we are required to seek what the Father wills. 

I think that we have become so familiar with what we call the “The Lord’s Prayer” that we do not remember what it is telling us to seek. “They will be done on earth as it is in heaven,” means that we are to pray for the Father’s will to match heaven here on earth.  This means that my will must match up with God’s and never the other way around.

I must exercise my free will to be willing to conform my desires to the Father’s.  Only when I seek that his desires be fulfilled here am I using my free will properly.  I cannot bend the Father’s will to mine.  That is foolishness.  I can chip away at the stony parts of my own will that do not conform to the commands to love God and humans above all else.  If I do the rest, will fall I line.

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 ͡°)

Prayer: What Does Not Work ~ Expectations

Greetings Dear Reader,

Too often I experience disappointment because I have carried unjust expectations.  As I explain to others readily, we cannot disappoint God because he already knows what we will do in every situation.  One cannot have expectations to disappoint if one already knows what will happen.  It would be like watching an instant replay and hoping for a different result.

We, however, generate expectations like an engine designed for it.  We place them on each other and even on God.  We pray having already decided for God how he will respond.  We ask for our own purposes wanting to get God to sanction our will.  This does not work.

First, we need to realize that God already has it worked out.  He knows what we need and has prepared to meet us where we are.  Second, we are supposed to be about his business not trying to manipulate him to do ours.  There is nothing wrong with wanting, dreaming, planning, and working.  Our vision must be supported in prayer.

What we must not do is forget that we are part of something much larger.  We are not the designers we are the designed.  We are his work for his plan and purpose.  I must not place expectations any more than the characters in my stories may place expectations on me.

When I pray I must ask with confidence for the what I believe is right.  I must not cross the line into expecting the Father to do my will.  I must never think that my will, even though it is free, can supersede what God has purposed.  He is too far ahead of me for that. 

The Answer – Rudyard Kipling

A Rose, in tatters on the garden path,
Cried out to God and murmured 'gainst His Wrath,
Because a sudden wind at twilight's hush
Had snapped her stem alone of all the bush.
And God, Who hears both sun-dried dust and sun,
Had pity, whispering to that luckless one,
"Sister, in that thou sayest We did not well --
What voices heardst thou when thy petals fell?"
And the Rose answered, "In that evil hour
A voice said, `Father, wherefore falls the flower?
For lo, the very gossamers are still.'
And a voice answered, `Son, by Allah's will!'"

Then softly as a rain-mist on the sward,
Came to the Rose the Answer of the Lord:
"Sister, before We smote the Dark in twain,
Ere yet the stars saw one another plain,
Time, Tide, and Space, We bound unto the task
That thou shouldst fall, and such an one should ask."
Whereat the withered flower, all content,
Died as they die whose days are innocent;
While he who questioned why the flower fell
Caught hold of God and saved his soul from Hell.

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 ͡°)

Prayer: What Does Not Work ~ Tell Me NOW

Greetings Dear Reader,

As I discussed at length when pondering the Magic 8-Ball, I always want to know NOW.  I do not like not knowing but I am learning to live with it.  I am also learning that when I do know I have a better chance to make things worse.

One of the points of prayer is to exercise our faith.  Instead of that we often insist that God give us the answers right foot-stamping, lip-pouting, NOW.  We demand like petulant children that our Father give us the answers to our questions.  Further we often dictate what those answers must be when they are given.

That is the opposite of how this works.  Instead we are supposed to humbly make our requests steeling our faith to accept whatever the Father, our Father deems best for us.  We are not satisfied with the vital truth that our omniscient, omnipotent, loving Father knows what is best in every situation.  If he keeps things hidden from us it is what is best for us.  If he does not give us the answers we are required to have faith that he has things under his control.

I have questions.  They will not be answered on my terms.  When I pray for the answers that I want I must not dictate terms as to what or when.  It is just not my place.  It is a minimum disrespectful and at worst it is faithless.

I am required to live by faith. If I have all the answers I want that becomes impossible.  I must choose to follow as required even when I want to know now.

Things I Never Knew – Pat Terry

Lord I have a question that I haven’t found an answer for

Noting seems to make it go away

Your Book was strangely silent when I turned the pages in it

Though I thought you’d surely have a word to say

I have had this question for some time without an answer

There’s a different view in everything I’ve read

At times I thought I knew it but when it got down to it

It was just some words that someone else had said

If only I were with you when you walked down here among us

We could have talked it over face to face

Though I know you never left me all alone know I long to hear your voice

Hear your words, touch your face.

Oh one day you will come for me

I’ll kneel before you humbly

We’ll talk about the things I never knew

And all the things I couldn’t see

Will simply be explained to me

In words that could only come from you

Until that day I’m waiting here with upturned face and open ear

And if my questions never bring me truth

I’ll be satisfied to know

That when my time on earth’s no more

I’ll have eternity to talk with 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 ͡°)

Prayer: What Does Not Work ~ Prayer without Effort

Greetings Dear Reader,

Over a twenty-five-year teaching career I often encountered students who would request that I pray for their success on exams.  I always asked the student if he or she had studied.  I would pray for the student no matter what his or her answer.

If the student said that he or she had studied then I would pray that the study would be recalled easily, that there would be no anxiety, and there would be a measure of mercy in the blank spots.  If he or she had failed to study then I would pray that he or she would learn the lesson of the importance of study quickly.  There is a vast difference between praying for recall and for divine revelation.

Now I sit me down to study,

I pray to the Lord I don’t go nutty.

If I should fail to learn this junk,

I pray to the Lord that I don’t flunk.

Now I lay me down to rest,

I pray I pass tomorrow’s test.

If I should die before I wake,

That’s one less test I’ll have to take. - Unknown

The point is that just like faith without works is dead, prayer without effort is empty.  God requires us to do our best and to pray for his blessing.  Neither can be left out.  One of my closest friends is currently unemployed.  He and I pray every day for him to find a job.  He also applies for jobs in his field every day.  He seeks to find real work that will allow him to meet his obligations and honor Christ in his work.

Were he only praying and not seeking work he would be wrong.  Were he only seeking a job and not praying he would be wrong.  I watch him get frustrated over the lack of progress but I am encouraged by his steadfast faith and effort.  He asks us to pray for him but is accountable to his efforts, frugal with his resources, and still has a generous heart.  He will not doubt God just because he has to count on him solely each day that passes where he does not earn an income. 

Prayer does not work when we do not work.  We may be unable to do some things but we can always do something.  It is a waste for my time and disrespectful for me to ask the Father to do what I can do for myself.  It is also a violation of my obedience to fail to involve him through prayer in every effort.  As Keith Green said so well: “DO YOUR BEST, pray that it’s blessed, and Jesus takes care of the rest.

He’ll Take Care of the Rest – Keith Green

You know it ain't no use, banging your head, up against that cold stone wall,

Cause nobody's perfect, except for the Lord, and even the best bound to fall,

Remember He is de vine, and you are de branch,

He'd love to get you through it if you'd give Him a chance,

Just keep doing your best,

And pray that it's blessed,

And Jesus takes care of the rest.

Yes the Lord said that He'd take care of the rest, He's gonna do it,

He'll take care of the rest, He'll see you through it,

He'll take care of the rest, the devil blew it,

He'll take care of the, He'll take care of the rest.

Just think about Moses, in front of the burning bush, barefoot on the Holy ground,

You know, he must have been thinking, what's an old dude like me,

Gonna tell em all when I go down, go down Moses,

The Lord said, hey Moe, don't you worry about your going down south,

I'll be saying every word that comes out of your mouth,

Just keep doing your best, and pray that it's blessed,

Hey Moe, I'll take care of the rest.

Yes the Lord said that He'd take care of the rest, he's gonna do it,

He'll take care of the rest, He'll see you through it,

He'll take care of the rest, oh, Pharaoh blew it,

He'll take care of the, He'll take care of the rest.

Just believe, and you'll receive, that comfort you need,

You just think about all those lonely people you know,

They've got everything they want, but they have empty souls,

Well, He'll take care of the, He'll take care of the, He'll take care of the, care of the rest.

You just think about Noah, toting his umbrella, when there wasn't a cloud in the sky,

All his neighbors would laugh at his pet giraffe, and would snicker as he walked by,

But the Lord said, hey Noah, keep cool, just keep building that boat,

It's just a matter of time till they see who's gonna float,

You just keep doing your best, and pray that it's blessed,

Hey Noah, I'll take care of the rest, I'm the weatherman.

The Lord said that he'll take care of the rest, He's gonna do it,

He'll take care of the rest, He'll see you through it,

He'll take care of the rest, his neighbors blew it,

He'll take care of the rest, He's gonna do it, He's gonna do it,

He'll take care of the rest, only Jesus can see you through it,

He'll take care of the rest, yes, yes, yes,

He'll take care of the, He'll take care of the rest....

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 ͡°)

Prayer: What Does Not Work ~ Make me Rich

Greetings Dear Reader,

I am not going to waste your time by discussing the absurdity of those who teach that wealth is a sign of faith.  I will not even associate the word “gospel” with that thinking.  It is at least ignorant of what the Gospel is and at best an intentional deception.

We live in a conundrum that can be confusing and so we pray in ways that are not what is best for addressing the Creator of all things.  I am supposed to count on the Father for everything.  He wants us to be totally dependent upon his grace and providence.  This does not mean that God is an ATM.

We ask for things we do not need.  That is not necessarily wrong.  It is not even wrong to be comfortable.  What is wrong is asking for this so that we may consume them for our own pleasures at the neglect of genuine needs of others.  It does not work to ask God for riches so that we can be rich.

I do not want to hide the fact that I seek to earn income from my writing and that the potential for great wealth lies in that endeavor.  Of importance is that there is something more than the desire for money here.  I ask God to use my writing for the benefit of others.  I have a plan in place for how I would use wealth.  I have included in the increase in resources how I would be generous with those resources.

We must be people who practice generosity when we have little so that it will be a habit when we have much.  It does not work to ask God to make you rich.  It does work to ask him to help you learn to be more generous with what you have and how to be dependent upon him for your needs.

I will warn others that the latter half of that comes with great risk.  It is not real risk because all we risk is not knowing how God will provide.  We do not need to know.  We do need to believe and that can be harder than punching a clock at a job we hate.  It can be even harder when we do not have a job.

It can be hard not to just ask God for what you want.  He desires to meet our needs and he will.  What we have to do is seek him and follow with all our hearts.  It does not seem logical and it does not mean that we do not do our part.  We will talk about that tomorrow.  For now, I must remember that the truth is the tightrope between treating God like a blank check and failing to depend on him for everything.

Mercedes Benz – Janis Joplin

Oh Lord, won't you buy me a Mercedes Benz?

My friends all drive Porsches, I must make amends.

Worked hard all my lifetime, no help from my friends,

So Lord, won't you buy me a Mercedes Benz?

Oh Lord, won't you buy me a color TV?

Dialing For Dollars is trying to find me.

I wait for delivery each day until three,

So oh Lord, won't you buy me a color TV?

Oh Lord, won't you buy me a night on the town?

I'm counting on you, Lord, please don't let me down.

Prove that you love me and buy the next round,

Oh Lord, won't you buy me a night on the town?

Everybody!

Oh Lord, won't you buy me a Mercedes Benz?

My friends all drive Porsches, I must make amends,

Worked hard all my lifetime, no help from my friends,

So oh Lord, won't you buy me a Mercedes Benz?

That's 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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Prayer: What Does Not Work ~ Opening Thoughts

Greetings Dear Reader,

I pray every single day.  I try to be in constant conversation with the Father.  Picture Tevye at the beginning of Fiddler on the Roof.  I talk to God when I drive, work, and wander about the house.  I try to obey the command to pray without ceasing.

Also, I have time set aside for specific attention just to prayer.  I pray for friends and family.  I pray for my government and my nation.  I pray for the needs of those caught up in disasters natural and man-made.  None of this takes as much time as one would imagine.

What I am pondering for the next few days, however, is what does not work.  What about prayer is a waste of time.  Curl back your toes if they are easily stepped on for I will not be over-careful where I step on this one.  Prayer works.  That does not mean that it works the way we want or expect it to work.

Two conversations I have had about prayer teach me that we do not always understand the nature of prayer and its purpose.  Too often we express things in a way that sets us up for failure.  We place ourselves in a position to ask amiss and blame God for the lack of things unfolding as we want them to unfold. 

As I walk through this thinking please to not mistake my blunt approach for a lack of compassion.  Failure to get the premise right almost always leads to the wrong conclusion.  We address the living God and must do so with the heart and attitude requisite of the task. 

Please walk with me a bit Dear Reader as I attempt to remind my spirit what does not work in prayer.  As always, I value your company, questions, and counsel. 

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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Pausing to Pray - Hurricanes and Earthquakes

Greetings Dear Reader,

I am going to use my writing time this morning to pray for those fleeing from the storm, for those trapped by it, and for those impacted by the earthquake in Mexico.  My dear friend Jeff stated things so well I will just quote him.

“To all my South Florida family and friends, those I know well and those I don't. I want to help prepare you for what you’re going to experience. This is not to frighten you but to help you - The storm is not like anything you can really prepare for. It's not a stay at home off of work party for several days - but a life changing event. The fury will shake you to your core. The storm will spawn tornadoes and cause even more destruction. If it's a direct hit on Broward the devastation will be like nothing you've ever seen. Having your house boarded up is good but it will not protect you from tornadoes. Pictures are nothing like the real thing. You will be without power for weeks. No a/c, no way to cook, keep food for very long. Some of you won't have a work to go back to. Being able to depend on friends and people close by and far away will make a big difference. Community will be important. Helping each other and taking care of each other is what you do. Your friends want to know that you are alive as soon as possible. If you can leave please do. They should open the expressway to only go north on both sides of the turnpike - so use it. I know many of you can't leave - your taking care of others - helping those who can't help themselves - your running to the storm. I get that... The government can't take care of all of Florida so be prepared there will be little help at first. There is no safety net for this kind of devastation so just get yourself mentally ready. You will be numb for awhile. We will come for you. So just hold on. We will be praying for you all.”

Trying to Reason with Hurricane Season – Jimmy Buffet

Squalls out on the gulf stream

Big storm commin' soon

Passed out in my hammock

And God, I slept till way past noon

Stood up and tried to focus

I hoped I wouldn't have to look far

Sure could use a Bloody Mary

So I stumbled over to Loui's back yard

And now I must confess

I could use some rest

I can't run at this pace very long

Yes, it's quite insane

I Think I hurts my brain

But it cleans me out, then I can go on

There's something about this Sunday

It's the most peculiar gray

Strolling' down the avenue that's known as A1A

Feelin tired, then I got inspired

I knew it wouldn't last long

So all alone I walked back home

Sat on the beach and there I made up this song

And now I must confess

I could use some rest

I can't run at this pace very long

Yes it's quite insane

Think I hurt my brain

But it cleans me out, then I can go on

Well the wind is blowin' harder now

Fifty knots or there abouts

There's white caps on the ocean

And I'm watchin' for water spouts

It's time to close the shutters

It's time to go inside

In a week I'll be in gay Paris

Hell that's a mighty long airplane ride

And now I must confess

I could use some rest

I can't run at this pace very long

Yes it's quite insane

Think I hurt my brain

But it cleans me out, then I can go on

Yes it cleans me out, then I can go on

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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Contracts with God ~ Closing Thoughts

Greetings Dear Reader,

We bargain all the time.  We make agreements and either keep them or we do not.  We use phrases like “I should not have promised that” to excuse our failure to follow through on our word. 

When God makes a promise we can count on it.  We are supposed to be able to count on each other as well.  There is a thing that happens when we do what is right no matter how we feel.  I know people who have promised their lives to God for his service and have walked away from him.  

He does not react like we do.  He is not speedy in his response.  He is patient with us.  He still makes it clear that when we make a promise to him it is foolish not to keep it.  Hidden in this commitment to the Father is an opportunity.

When we contract to follow Christ there is an opportunity to have all other things fall into that one commitment.  It is like this:

• I put my life in the hands of the Father by following his Son
• He then allows everything else that passes into my life to exist
• I can count on his promise that no matter what it is he has a plan for me

 I close Dear Reader with this.  When I find it painful or hard to keep my commitments or others do not keep theirs I have a final contract with the Father to sustain me.

“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” – Jeremiah 29:11

Promises Made – Dan Fogelberg

Promises made, Promises broken

Measures of our demise

Secrets of souls that, rarely get spoken

Pleasure's a thin disguise.

Dozens of ways, Dozens of reasons

Shielding our hearts from pain

Riddles of romance that distance may yet explain.

Certain of nothing, so fearful of love

Nobody seems to show you enough

Over and over the scenes are replayed

And once again those promises made.

Feeling forsaken, broken in two

How did this ever happen to you?

Taken for granted, bruised, and betrayed

Lonely survivors; these promises made.

Dozens of ways, Dozens of reasons

Shielding our hearts from pain

Riddles of romance that distance may yet explain.

Certain of nothing, so fearful of love

Nobody seems to show you enough

Over and over the scenes are replayed

And once again those promises 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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Contracts with God ~ He Will

Greetings Dear Reader,

We have another aspect of one way contracts to consider.  The Father makes promises to us that are unconditional.  He vows to do things that are for our good.  He cannot lie and will do all that he says.

Here are just a few things that the Father contracts to do for us:

• He will always love us no matter what we do
• All things will be returned to good
• Once he forgives us he will forget our sin
• He will be just and destroy evil
• There will be a better world
• He will remain constant
• He has plans for us that are good

I do not think we do enough cement that the Father has so much good in store for in our thinking.  We get too immersed in the problems of life to see the promises of God for what they are.  They require faith and hope but those area things he offers us as well.

I need to keep looking at what God is planning.   My limited view is still enough to keep me journeying no matter how hard things seem right now.  We talk about how nothing worth having is easy.  I must apply that to following in faith.

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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Contracts with God ~ IF THEN part 2

Greetings Dear Reader,

We make bargains all the time that are two way bargains.  Even our marriage vows sound one way but are two way.  We way for better or worse but often mean unless you make it worse.  We say for richer or poorer but mean that you better not make us poorer.

God makes IF THEN bargains with us and always keeps his THEN.  He never changes.  He never fails to live up to his commitments.  There are very clear statements that we can count on if we choose to count on them.

Here are just a few:

• IF you do good in secret THEN God will reward you openly
• IF you believe THEN you will receive what you ask for in prayer
• IF you love each other THEN all men will know you are my disciples
• IF you are in Christ THEN you are a new creation
• IF you give THEN it will be given to you full measure, pressed down and overflowing

The point is that God makes these contracts with us because he loves us.  We can follow in faith and have good things.  The greatest IF THEN though is that it we must have faith.  IF we have faith THEN we have the ability to access all of the other things.  It is the foundation of the contract.  It is the center of what the Father wishes. 

I must not do this for the results but rather must do so out of love for the Father.  I must follow in faith not seeking a “prize” but for better or worse must love without measure and count on God to do the same.

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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Contracts with God ~ IF THEN Part 1

Greetings Dear Reader,

When I first learned to program in BASIC back when I used to do so on my TRS80, I was overly fond of the IF THEN statement.  The TRS80 was my first computer.  It had, read this carefully, 16K of RAM and two floppy drives.  It even came with a cassette player so that I could load programs that would not fit on a floppy disk.

A friend and I decided that we wanted to improve a game we both enjoyed.  We discovered that modifying some of the IF THEN statements and enhancing the contained values made the game more challenging.  We also could nest the statements to create multiple outcomes.

For those who do not understand this it is simple.  The statement is a logical contract.  It says IF condition A is true THEN do B.  It can also have a default outcome.  This is IF condition A is true THEN B, ELSE C.  If player has the GOLDEN KEY, open the SECRET DOOR, else RELEASE the fire trap.  

So many linear games depend on this to move the player through the game.  We also apply this logic to much of our lives.  We enter many conditional social contracts where we agree to do something if someone else does as well.  In crisis we create IF THEN contracts with God.

It usually goes like this: “God IF you do A then I will do B”.  My friend Tony once told me that he had been telling God that if he got a date with a certain girl that he would never speed again.  He got the date and a speeding ticket whilst on the date. 

The problem is that IF went enter into a contract with God he THEN expects us to live up to it.  He requires us to pay what we promised.  Solomon clearly points out, “When you make a promise to God, don't be slow to keep it because God doesn't like fools. Keep your promise.”

We may forget the IF THEN Promise as soon as we are out of the crisis.  The problem is that God does not.  I do not want to be in that position.  I must honor my contracts with 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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