Second Thoughts ~ Are We Keeping the Faith?

Greetings Dear Reader,

When we ponder those we remember on Memorial Day, we must consider what motivated them to give their last full measure for our country.  In the many wars of the last century the thousands who died all had a single purpose.  They died to protect our freedom. 

I envision their completion of that duty as an act of faith.  They gave their lives believing that their country was worth the effort because of freedom and American ideals.  They were not perfect and neither was our nation.  Rather, it is the notion that we would improve on the values for which they died.  They fought evil in the world to promote a society that offered liberty and the pursuit of happiness. 

I am not here to stand in judgment of anyone.  I am here to ask if I honor their sacrifice.  I am wondering if I am keeping the faith they placed in me when they traded their lives for my freedom.  It is my inherited obligation whether I wish it or not.  I grew up surrounded by the freedoms they purchased with their blood.  I live as a free man because of their life and death.

If I dare call myself a follower of Christ then I must also stand for the faith that is placed in me by those who left our shores and died without finding home again.  If I hope to keep my faith in Christ, I must honor the sacrifice of those who bought my freedom.  This does not mean that I sing the song of America right or wrong.  It is that I hold her to a higher standard.  I must honor the faith that Christ demands of her.  We have been given much so much is expected of us.  We have been overly blessed; we must be a blessing.  The tired poor are my responsibility.  The stranger must not go hungry.  Those yearning to breathe free are entitled to my air. 

If I hope to keep faith with Christ, I must keep faith with those who died to provide me the freedoms I enjoy.  I must live out his love and compassion for all who I encounter.  I must use my freedom to extend freedom to others.  I must keep my faith to keep theirs.  I must love the soldier, the civilian, and the enemy even if my own nation turns on me for it.  I must keep the faith, Dear Reader even if that requires my own life.  It is the only way to honor theirs.

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 ͡°)

Every human story is part of the great story that leads to the Father getting everything back to Good.

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Second Thoughts ~ Respectful Remembrance

Greetings Dear Reader,

This weekend marked a very important anniversary in my life.  I do not want to allow it to pass without acknowledgment.  I also to not want to violate the wishes of others involved in it.  Forgive me for being a little cryptic.

What I will say is this:  I have only once in my life given up on a relationship and I was wrong.  There have been those who have given up on me before and since.  There is no one I have stopped loving or that I reject as someone worthy of love.  It is not my place to do so.  

We can say that we do not have the strength.  We are not supposed to have it.  We are supposed to find it in Christ.  We can say that our problems are too big but that is a lie.  Love can crush any barrier if we allow it.  We say that we will “fix it later” but we are supposed to seek peace with everyone at all times.  We take the risk of death preventing that for us.

So, on the anniversary that is dear to me I mark my love for those involved.  I stand firm in my faith that in Christ all things can be healed.  I stand firm in my promise to never again close the door on those I love.  I stand humbled by all the beauty and grace I see in others that is such a blessing to me.

You know who you are to me Dear Reader.  I love you and always shall.  The way back is always open and you are always welcome to journey with me.

Wishing you joy in the journey,

Aramis Thorn

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

(͡° ͜ʖ ͡°)

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Memorial Day 2015 - Hallow or Hollow?

Greetings Dear Reader,

This Holy Day changes for me every year.  First let me note that it is a Holy Day and not simply a holiday.  Remembrances surrounding death and sacrifice must remain holy and reflective. 

It changes for me because of the veterans I know that the ones who have passed.  As we are finally learning many are mortally wounded in combat but do not die for years.  The stress they bring home is not treated well and their own minds eventually claim them.  We do not do enough love and heal these walking wounded. 

I feel that we continually fail to count the cost of freedom.  We do not stop and reflect we plan picnics and camping trips.  We run to a resort while are military are still fighting.  We do not do enough to honor our fallen.  We do not do enough to care for our veterans.

In my own state there has been scandal over the abuse of veterans by the VA.  I personally know people who have been shelved and refused care.  My dear friend James reminded me on Thursday how important it is to treat this day as a day of remembrance and reflection.  You are right James.  I am doing that.  Thank you for the reminder.

I find my wondering which topic will get more conversation today: the rain on our grills or the loss of lives in American uniforms.  If we fail to honor our veterans both the living and the dead we fail as a nation.  We need to keep this day Holy.  We need to keep all the days that remember why we have freedom sacred.  If they become days off to have a picnic and all we celebrate is the opening of the community pool we have lost more than we can afford.  If we fail to Hallow this day we make it a Hollow one.

Wrong Side of Heaven – Five Finger Death Punch

I spoke to God today, and she said that she's ashamed.

What have I become, what have I done?

I spoke to the Devil today, and he swears he's not to blame.

And I understood, cause I feel the same.

Arms wide open, I stand alone.

I'm no hero, and I'm not made of stone.

Right or wrong, I can hardly tell.

I'm on the wrong side of heaven, and the righteous side of hell.

The wrong side of heaven, and the righteous side, righteous side of hell.

I heard from God today, and she sounded just like me.

What have I done, and who have I become.

I saw the Devil today, and he looked a lot like me.

I looked away, I turned away!

Arms wide open, I stand alone.

I'm no hero, and I'm not made of stone.

Right or wrong, I can hardly tell.

I'm on the wrong side of heaven, and the righteous side of hell.

The wrong side of heaven, and the righteous side, the righteous side of hell.

I'm not defending, downward descending,

Falling further and further away!

Getting closer every day!

I'm getting closer every day, to the end.

To the end, the end, the end,

I'm getting closer every day!

Arms wide open, I stand alone.

I'm no hero, and I'm not made of stone.

Right or wrong, I can hardly tell.

I'm on the wrong side of heaven, and the righteous side of hell.

The wrong side of heaven, and the righteous side of hell.

The wrong side of heaven, and the righteous side, the righteous side of hell.

Far From Home – Five Finger Death Punch

Another day in this carnival of souls

Another night settles in as quickly as it goes

The memories of shadows, ink on the page

And I can't seem to find my way home

And it's almost like

Your heaven's trying everything

Your heaven's trying everything

To keep me out

All the places I've been and things I've seen

A million stories that made up a million shattered dreams

The faces of people I'll never see again

And I can't seem to find my way home

Cause it's almost like

Your heaven's trying everything to break me down

Cause it's almost like

Your heaven's trying everything to keep me out

Cause it's almost like

Your heaven's trying everything to break me down

Cause it's almost like

Your heaven's trying everything

Your heaven's trying everything to break me down

To break me down

To break me down

Your heaven's trying everything

Your heaven's trying everything to break me down

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 ͡°)

Second Thoughts – Lost Lives and Distant Dreams

Greetings Dear Reader,

Sometimes I will end the day with thoughts that are important to get out.  Usually I just write them and put them in my journal folder.  I have chosen that on occasion I will share them with you Dear Reader.

Time moves so quickly through the pinch.  Death collects his toll along the way with no regard for our plans and dreams.  He interrupts at will and we must deal with the loss.  The souls are taken and we are left to tend the shell and the pain.

We collect losses at an ever increasing rate as we age.  I have met those who are the last of their troop.  They recount those who have gone on ahead and the sadness lingers.  The toll is always too high and never refundable.

The pain never escapes entirely from our souls.  No matter the level of comfort or healing.  The ones closest to us are the hardest.  They haunt me in that figurative way that no others can see or feel to my satisfaction. 

Sam counsels me in times of desperation and sorrow. He was my first and deepest loss. Too young to understand I blamed myself.  Sarah went quietly taking with her a blessing not quite materialized.  Rachel left behind a gaping wound that never quite fills.  She would have been twenty-four today.  And there is another, unnamed and unknown. 

We cannot change the loss and in each case the loss has done worse.  We have let steal dreams.  I make bad choices at times because of the pain.  In doing so I dishonor the lost.  As I celebrate the Grandfather, Sister, Daughter, and Grandchildren I will never hold while on the journey I vow to make the journey honor them.   I will forfeit no more dreams due to the pain.  I will be the example I should be for them and for others. 

The journey calls and we pay for the journey with our dearest blood.  The Father did as well.  He too lost so that he could call us all to him.  So I raise a glass to the ghosts who haunt me bidding the love and peace.  I promise to do better.  After all I do not sorrow without hope.

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 ͡°)