What is a Christian? ~ Wise

Greetings Dear Reader,

As I watch the changes in our culture I wonder if we understand any longer what wisdom is.  I will indulge first in defining the term.

Wisdom:  the quality of having experience, knowledge, and good judgment; the soundness of an action or decision with regard to the application of experience, knowledge, and good judgment.

In short, wisdom is the prudent application of knowledge and understanding.  It is using our minds to make choices that reflect an understanding of the requirements of following Christ.  It steps outside of what is legal, accepted, or allowed to ask what is wise.

Those who claim to be Christians must show wisdom in what they do with what they have.  It is not wise to spend money on a grand church edifice when there are starving people in its shadow.  It is not prudent to ignore the social needs of a community to protect standards that do not find their roots in living out the Gospel.

We are to be wise as individuals as well.  We are not to be cutting and cruel with out wisdom.  We are to be gentle and kind in it. This does not mean that we sacrifice being wise to being gracious and merciful.  It does mean that we balance them in love. 

This item has an identifier that begs another balance.  If we exercise real wisdom, we will often be seen as foolish.  That is just the way it is.  That which seems foolish when it comes to following Christ will be wise.  The common wisdom of the world will be foolish to those who follow Christ.

I must apply my thoughts to learning wisdom if I am going to follow Christ well.  As the world moves further from its understanding of what this is, I will appear more foolish.  We should be known for our wisdom in balance with our love for others.

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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Setting Standards for Feelings - Fear

Greetings Dear Reader,

Once again, like anger fear has its place.  Fear protects us from danger.  It triggers our fight of flight response.  It gives us that small warning to be careful.  It can save our lives. 

There is healthy and unhealthy fear.  Fear in the form of healthy respect is a good thing.  We rarely use the word in this way.  It is still important.  We must have a healthy respect for things that can harm us.  We must have a healthy respect for those who rule over us.  That is good fear and it is not the way we use the word any more.

So many things about fear are unhealthy.  We indulge our fear and give it control.  We act badly because of fear.  We mistreat others out of fear.  When fear controls us we do not act rationally and we lose power.  We do not act lovingly when we act out of fear.

It is natural and understandable to feel fear.  It is always wrong to allow the fear to be in charge.  Fear kills our reason when we give it control.  It feeds our greed.  It propels us to be selfish and unloving. 

If I am to properly follow Christ then I must not allow fear to control me.  I must face fear with the filter of my protection in Christ.  He has promised to meet my needs and care for me.  I cannot allow fear to keep from that.  I must hold out the standard that fear will not control me.  I will give it a proper place in my existence and will use it to see danger.  I will heed its warnings but think through my responses.

Fear has a place in the journey.  That place is not as the leader.

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 – Education

Greetings Dear Reader,

No matter how I feel about any of it, I have had an excellent education.  My mum sacrificed so that I could go to excellent primary and secondary schools.  The colleges I attended were also excellent.  Good teachers invested time in me.  God gifted me with a good intellect.

I have been able to develop strong work and success at that work because of my education.  I am able to process and apply truth because of the training I have had.  I value learning as a lifelong process because of the training I have received.  I am able to help others.  I have been blessed to teach others and help improve lives because of education.

I have had teachers and mentors along the way who helped shape my knowledge, wisdom, and character.  They have built into me things that are eternal and enduring.  They have given me a higher purchase from which to view the world.  They have been my friends.

I am thankful for the education that I have and realize the accountability it holds for me.  If I do not have gratitude for this then I cannot hope to pass it on properly.  I must avoid the pride that accompanies knowledge and instead seek wisdom.  With gratitude begins the journey toward wisdom that will ensure that my intellect is used for Christ.

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 ͡°)