In Memoria ~ Taps

Greetings Dear Reader,

As the sun sets on Memorial Day I ponder all that is lost to history, to time, and to memory.  As long as there have been wars there has been the need to remember.  For some the memory is there unbidden daily because they must carry on with the loss.

I leave with this thought Dear Reader.   We have so very many things because we are free that we take for granted.  I remember the fallen and thank them for what they have given me.  I remember those they leave behind and grieve with them.  I cherish my freedom provided by the Father and defended by good men and women.

For those we memorialize, I wish you rest…

Day is done, gone the sun,

 From the lake, from the hills, from the sky;

 All is well, safely rest, God is nigh.

Fading light, dims the sight,

 And a star gems the sky, gleaming bright.

 From afar, drawing nigh, falls the night.

Thanks and praise, for our days,

 'Neath the sun, 'neath the stars, neath the sky;

 As we go, this we know, God is nigh.

Sun has set, shadows come,

 Time has fled, Scouts must go to their beds

 Always true to the promise that they made.

While the light fades from sight,

 And the stars gleaming rays softly send,

 To thy hands we our souls, Lord, commend.

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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In Memoria ~ Lest We Forget

Greetings Dear Reader,

In 1866 in Columbus, Georgia some women decided to set aside a solemn day to clean and decorate the graves of the fallen Southern soldiers.  The nation divided would lose more lives to military conflict than in any war before or since.  The tradition grew and many areas of the nation and after the World War I spread to the rest of the world.

Different nations observe this in different ways.   We seem to have reduced it to lip service and cookouts.  We have a new generation of tombstones in Arlington and across the nation.  We have new widows, widowers, and orphans.  While people have their cook outs and festivals we still have Americans dying on foreign soil.

We will see our flag everywhere we go today.  They should be at half-staff until noon.  We need to take the opportunity to explain to our children why we need to cherish our freedom.  We need to explain why it is vital that we use that freedom wisely. 

I need to follow Christ more closely so that I understand what a blessing it is to live free.  I need to cherish freedom and never let it become common or plain.

Freedom Never Cries – Five for Fighting

I took a flag to a pawn shop

For a broken guitar

I took a flag to a pawn shop

How much is that guitar

I took a flag to a pawn shop

I got me that guitar

What's a flag in a pawn shop to me?

I saw a man on the TV

In a mask with a gun

A man on the TV

He had a ten year old son

I saw a man on the TV

His son had a gun

And he says that he's coming for me

I never loved the soldier until there was a war

Or thought about tomorrow

Until my baby hit the floor

I only talk to God when somebody's about to die

I never cherished freedom

Freedom never cries

I wrote a song for a dead man

To settle my soul

A song for a dead man

And now I'll never grow old

I wrote a song for a dead man

Now I'm out in the cold

What's a song to a dead man to me?

I never loved the soldier until there was a war

Or thought about tomorrow

Until my baby hit the floor

I only talk to God when somebody's about to die

I never cherished freedom

Freedom never cries

You can cry for her

Die for her

Lay down your life for her

Kiss and wave goodbye to her

Anything at all

You can cry for her

Die for her

Make up your mind to her

Anything at all, oh

There's a baby on the doorstep

Wailing away

There's a baby on the doorstep

Longing for the day

There's a baby on the doorstep

Who'd give his life to take

A flag to a pawn shop

A flag to a pawn shop

May he forget why he is crying some day

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 ͡°)

In Memoria ~ Absent Friends

Greetings Dear Reader,

This will be brief.  As the day closes; a day of worship and rest, I find that I feel the loss of so many lives so deeply.  I hate war passionately.

I am going fill my glass with a potent potable.  I am going say a prayer of thankfulness.  I am going to beg the Father to end all war.  Had I the power I would just stop it.  I will raise the glass to absent friends. 

We pay for the party with our dearest blood.  Thank you to the men and women who never set foot on home soil again.  Thank you for giving all to protect 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.”

(͡° ͜ʖ ͡°)

In Memoria ~ Sunday Morning

Greetings Dear Reader,

If the rain lets up I plan to attend an outdoor church service this morning.  I have had two very memorable such events in my life.  One was in Florida whilst on vacation.  The other was at a Seminole reservation also in Florida.

There is something about worshiping outdoors that is precious to me.  There is a freedom and openness to it.  There is a connected feeling that I find nowhere else.

This puts me in mind of the people who are forbidden to worship openly.  It makes me sad for those who must hide what they believe or face torture and death.  We still have religious freedom here and in part that is due to men and women who have died to protect it.

I get to choose whether or not I go to church.  I get to choose how and when I worship.  My faith is my own to live and hold.  No will tell me how I have to live it.  Christ spilled is blood so that I could have a living faith and others have spilt theirs so that I could be free to live it.  That alone is reason enough to cherish it and live it well.

Wishing you joy in the journey,

Aramis Thorn

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

(͡° ͜ʖ ͡°)

In Memoria ~ Days at the Beach

Greetings Dear Reader,

Many of us see Memorial Day weekend as the unofficial start of summer.  Thousands of families travel to beaches and soak up the sun.  They get in water, surf on it, and fish from it. 

This evening as the colours are lowered and taps sounds I think of another beach.   We have our days at the beach because of days at the beach like that one.  Thousands went to the beach that day too.  They went in battle dress.  They ran into gunfire.  They took heavy casualties.  They won.

They paid for the party with dear blood.  Some of the young men there did not even get off their landing craft.  They died on the shores of France so that I could be free to go to the beach for my Memorial Day weekend. 

Days at the beach should be times of family and fun.  There should, however, always be a moment of solemnity.  There should always be a moment when I recall those men who died on a beach in France so that I could enjoy the sand beneath my feet and the salt air.  They did it so that I could breathe free. 

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 ͡°)

In Memoria ~ Simple Freedoms

Greetings Dear Reader,

So many people are traveling for this holiday weekend.  Last year at this time my family was on a journey back from a week at the beach.  A few weeks ago my Daughter and I packed a bag and drove to spend a weekend in northern Wisconsin. 

Freedom of travel is just one of the things we take for granted.  In many countries travel is restricted and just a simple weekend getaway requires someone else’s approval.  The things we take for granted are so precious to others.  We have no requirement to report our whereabouts, participate or abstain from religion, or support a specific political agenda.

We, unfortunately use these freedoms to ignore the greater good and feed our own selfishness.  We are quickly becoming a nation that does not tolerate dissenting options.  We use our freedoms to try and limit the freedoms of others. 

When we do this we dishonor the blood and lives of others who died to give us these freedoms.  It is vital that we allow others the same freedoms we enjoy.   There is risk in it but it is how the Father deals with us.  We are free to follow Christ or not.  We are free to obey the commands to love or not.

It is in this paradoxical position that our freedom in Christ lives.  I must cherish this human form of freedom because it reflects the perfect freedom that Christ wishes for us all.  I must honor those who died to provided and protect 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.”

(͡° ͜ʖ ͡°)

In Memoria ~ A Six Year Old’s Viewpoint

Greetings Dear Reader,

On Thursday evenings I have the pleasure and privilege of having dinner with my eldest Son and my two Grandsons.   This is almost always the highlight of my week.  It amazes me how much the boys grow from week to week.  Time with my Son is precious to me as well and there is never enough of it.

This past Thursday after dinner the discussion turned to Brat Fest which is always a part of my Memorial Day weekend.  We planned in part what we wanted to do and when we wanted to go to the world’s largest brat festival.  The Grandson’s wanted to talk about rides and the eldest Grandson was talking about Ferries Wheels.  I asked him if he knew what Memorial Day was for.  His answer was profound for a six-year-old.

In a roundabout way he explained that we remember the people who died so that we could have a great country.  He said we had to remember to keep our country good so that their deaths would not be wasted.  I was astounded at his depth of understanding.  I was proud of him for caring about something so profound.

I am also saddened.  It may be that a brat and carnival ride focused little boy will give more thought to the purpose of this holiday than many adults.  As I eat a warmed up brat in the safety of my home tonight I pause to feel and express gratitude to the Father that he has let me live in a land where freedom reigns.  I also ask him to heal our land of its lack of love, purpose, and unity.

It is in this freedom, paid for by the blood of our forefathers, that we find the right to do as we please.  I need to make sure that it pleases me to show gratitude and respect to those who have died to keep that freedom alive.

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 ͡°)

In Memoria ~ Opening Thoughts – Flags In

Greetings Dear Reader,

I want to do something a little different this Memorial Day weekend.  I will still enjoy some traditional leisure pursuits buy I also want to make sure that I observe the weekend for what it is.

Yesterday soldiers began placing over 230,000 flags on the graves at Arlington National Cemetery.   The tradition, known as “Flags In” began in 1948.  Imagine the impact on soldiers placing flags on the graves of their fallen comrades.  The loss is not lost on me.

My thoughts this weekend will be what it must be like to walk among those stones where we honor those who died to provide freedom for the rest of us.  I will think of my friends and family who have served and seen those deaths first hand.  I will beg the Father to bring all things back to good and peace so that we quit losing our dearest blood to hatred and war.

Walk among the stones with me Dear Reader.  We can be grateful together and comfort each other.

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 ͡°)

Jesus was a Socialist Jew – Bake Sales and Bombers

Greetings Dear Reader,

“It will be a great day when our schools have all the money they need, and our air force has to have a bake-sale to buy a bomber.”  Robert Fulghum

Long before the word meme was popular this quote made it way around the country in the name of peace.  I have heard this in many variations over the years.  It is a great vision.   

There is a core issue that I see with those who follow Christ and also lobby for war.  Please hear clearly that I love and respect those who serve in the military and protect our freedom.  Please also hear clearly that I hate war.  It is evil and violates the very heart of who Christ commands us to be as his followers.

Love your enemies.  This is impossible to do if you shoot, shell, or bomb them before you meet them.  Too many of our leaders are willing to go to war too quickly.  Violence against others is too high up on the list. 

This is such a hard line to hold if we speak circumstantially.  I cannot imagine a situation where I would not want to defend my family if needed.  I also cannot imagine a way to get around the commands of Christ to love and not resist our enemies.

I try not to get to mystical about my faith and following.  I have seen the power that exists when we use faith over violence.  I was young.  My Grandfather and I were leaving a Brave’s baseball game late on a Friday night.  We were walking along a street to the remote parking area where his car waited.

A man stepped out of the bushes brandishing a knife.  He looked at my Grandfather and said, “Give me your money.”   My Grandfather’s response was simple and direct.

In a calm voice he responded, “Jesus forbids you do to this.  I think he wants you to stay right there while I take my Grandson to the car.  You need to stop robbing people and find a good church.”

The man could not move.  He yelled epithets and threats as we walked the rest of the way to the car but he stood frozen where he had accosted us.  As we drove past him my Grandfather stopped, He did not address the man.  Instead he prayed out loud.  “Father I suppose you can release him.  Please send someone to him so that he finds you.”   The man bolted into the woods. 

Dear Reader I cannot prove this.  That is not why I relate the tale.  If we truly believe in the power of the God we follow then this should be our heart.  I often imagine what we could do if we embraced our faith over fighting back.  If we collectively prayed for our enemies instead of hating them the world could become a better place.

War and violence evolve out of need and greed.  We have a form of godliness but deny its power.  We allow there to be boundaries to our faith.  We choose to allow violence to be an answer. 

I realize that I write this under the freedom provided by every soldier that gave his life to provide it.  I will never disrespect those who fight to protect me whether military or civil.  I will always ask that those who follow Christ use their faith to find a better way.

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 ͡°)

On Giving Thanks – Veterans

Greetings Dear Reader,

I hate war.  It is one of the few things I truly hate.  Were it in my power war would not exist, full stop.  Unfortunately it does.  People decide the values of others or wanting their possessions makes it allowable to kill them so we have wars.  This means that when the war ends we have veterans.

I hate war but I love our veterans.  I am thankful that there are men and women who are willing to risk it all so that I can safely sit in my Victorian office and write my books and musings.  I am thankful that I get to look them in the eye and express my gratitude.  My heart tightens and my eyes moisten when I ponder the good people who carry physical, mental, and emotional scars so that I can have this privilege.   

I am thankful and want every veteran to know that I am.  I care about your pain and sacrifice.  You are why I vote when I don’t feel like it.  You are why I cherish the freedom I have.  I love you and honor you.  I know we do not do enough for you. 

As I pray I ask God to heal you.  I ask him to bring you peace.  I ask him to provide for all your needs.  I get it that no one can really know until they have been you and I allow you that solitude.  All that you have done matters.  All that you have endured has value.  All that you have lost cannot be measured. 

What I am left with feels so inadequate but it is what I have.  I pause today to humbly say the only thing I can – THANK YOU.

Freedom Never Cries – Five For Fighting

I took a flag to a pawn shop

For a broken guitar

I took a flag to a pawn shop

How much is that guitar

I took a flag to a pawn shop

I Got me that guitar

What's a flag in a pawn shop to me?

I Saw a man on the TV

In a mask with a gun

A man on the TV

He had a ten-year old son

I Saw a man on the TV

His son had a gun

He says that he's coming for me

I never loved the soldier until there was a war

Or thought about tomorrow

'til my baby hit the floor

I only talk to God when somebody's about to die

I Never cherished Freedom

Freedom never cries.

I wrote a song for a dead man

To settle my soul

A song for a dead man

Now I'll never grow old

I wrote a song for a dead man

Now I'm out in the cold

What's a song to a dead man to me?

I never loved the soldier until there was a war

Or thought about tomorrow

'til my baby hit the floor

I only talk to God when somebody's about to die

I never cherished Freedom

Freedom never cries...

You can cry for her

Die for her

Lay down your life for her

Kiss and wave Goodbye to her

Anything at all

You can cry for her

Die for her

Make up your mind to her

Anything at all

There's a baby on the doorstep

Wailing away

There's a baby on the doorstep

Longing for the day

There's a baby on the doorstep

Who'd give his life to take

A flag to a pawn shop

A flag to a pawn shop

May he forget why he is crying some day

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 ͡°)