Greetings Dear Readers,
When I was very young the musical Camelot was very popular and nowhere more so than my home. Apparently at age three I would run around the house singing “Fie on Goodness Fie,” much to my mother’s chagrin. The Arthurian legend has fascinated me most of my life. The books, the movies, and actual history have woven themselves into a tapestry of wonder for my mind and yet there is a kernel of truth that I found in that 45 year old musical that has shaped much of my thinking.
When Arthur is envisioning his kingdom, he juxtaposes the current philosophy of “might is right” against the dream of “might for right”. What has recently evolved in my thinking is something that I considered when I have taught Morals and Values development or Critical Thinking as college level courses.
I was rereading Dr. Kohlberg’s word on the stages of moral development this past week and it occurred to me that Arthur’s ideal were good but need to progress further. Unfortunately for me there is little that I can do on my own to push others to this higher ideal. I can only work for it myself. You see whilst Might for Right is an excellent way to live, it is not strong enough to keep us from looking within ourselves for the source of what is right. I have labored for years thinking I was doing right and using my power to do so. I had forgotten to consistently look beyond my own reasoning to keep my use of power in check.
We must move through the stages of moral development in every area of our lives and strive to be using the universal laws that are outside of ourselves. We must constantly be reminding ourselves that no matter how we have been give or rested by our own hand power in a situation we must do what is right for the sake of doing what is right. It is not might is right. It is not might for right, though this is wise. It must become always that we do what is right for the sake of what is right. Kohlberg would call this the highest level of development or Universal Ethical Principle (the Principled Conscience).
Avalon’s departure, almost exactly a year ago, caused me to question this philosophy. What I learned in my questioning is that the philosophy is sound. I have expressed it often in my Grandfather’s words, “Do what is right even if it hurts.” In my own pride I had stopped examining the rightness of things and was simply sinking further into the mindset of might for right, using my power and authority to try to force others to do what I felt was right.
In the course of evaluating things I have found that those I love do not operate at the same level of moral development as I do and that I fluctuate in my falleness between levels quite readily. Some are still at the earliest stages of development where they are driven by the thoughts of avoiding punishment or finding what is in it for them. I know that I sink to this level often when I do not remember that I am to be like Christ no matter how I feel.
In the intermediate stages I find those who constantly want the approval of others. They seek to be seen as the good son or daughter. They use law as their standard for behavior. These are not bad things but they will not endure all circumstances. When faced with a law that does not suit the current crisis or our perceived need, it is easy to abandon that law and return to the lower thinking of “What is in it for me?”
I have heard many things over the last year that astounded me. Someone I used to respect told me that they did not care about right or wrong as long as there was happiness. Someone told me it was wrong to continue to love Avalon because she had violated both her social contract and the laws of her faith. Both of these views are as profound a lie as can be told. After a year of learning just how fallen I am (and I think I am just experiencing the first droplets of this truth), I find that I return with clearer eyes.
Right must only be practiced for the sake of right. The power outside of me that determines that is Christ. Even my own reasoning will not suffice to work things out so I am comfortable or happy. Working my own will or abandoning my vows is not a option. Expecting others to do what is right for the sake of doing what is right is foolish. It is right to think they should but expecting it is putting a burden on them they may not be able to carry. I am still the one who stands by the door (if you do not understand this, I will explain some other time). I am not the example people need, Christ is. I will not abandon the truth my Grandfather taught me and I urge you to do the same. We must both, in the shadow of the cross, by God’s grace determine to, “do what is right, even when it hurts.”
Wishing you joy in the journey,
Aramis Thorn
18 May 2009
17 May 2009
Eating Cheetos® with Chopsticks
Greetings Dear ReadersI love eating with chopsticks. I just do. I have pondered why and I do not know. I used to be really bad at it and then I did something, I bought some stainless steel round chopsticks. They are awesome. You can stab almost anything with them. They will skewer veggies and meat without so much as a by-your-leave.
Their only drawback is that they are round. Once they get a little moisture on them (think sesame chicken sauce) they get very slippery. Yes I realize that skewering is cheating. So I started eating odd things with them that would be hard to grasp with round stainless steel chopsticks. Cheetos® are very hard to eat with chopsticks. The same cheesy oil that coats your fingers forces the two round surfaces to osculate quite liberally. What this means is that the challenge is in play.
So I sit there, wrestling cheesy cylinders from the bowl, between the chopsticks, into my mouth. They slip under too much pressure. They slide under too little. It is all about applying the proper pressure to each piece of differently shaped cheesy goodness. Each Cheeto® in the mouth is a small victory. All too soon the bowl is empty. I have dropped and lost a few cheesy logs of crunchiness but my skill has improved. The next time the Cheetos® are in the bowl, they will stand less of a chance. I will win.
As a final thought, this process of eating slippery things with stainless steel chopsticks has had a side bonus that is amazing. When I go out to eat and use paltry squared wooden or plastic chopsticks, I am a chopstick god. I can eat almost anything. I think I may almost be ready for the test of the chopstick Jedi. Right now, as I write this, I am looking at the online catalogue for Titanium Chopsticks. Dare I try them? Am I ready? We shall see. We shall see.
Wishing you joy in the journey,
Aramis Thorn
11 May 2009
Who Am I Really
Greetings Dear Readers,
For those of you who do not know me personally, I am not about to reveal my secret identity. I realize that this disappoints some of you, but there is hope for I am growing older and I might slip. What I wish to ponder is the actual nature of who I am with a few stops at points of interest along the way.
Since things should start at the beginning, my childhood will come first. I was a “good kid” who did not sleep much, spread grape jam on his mother’s bed, and felt lonely most of the time. I went through three or four father figures by age nine and was sure it was always my fault. I developed poorly in the social arena and was an easy mark when others looked for someone to pick on. I fell in love with baseball and Star Trek, both of which shaped my character greatly. I lost my grandfather who perhaps was the only person touching my spirit in healthy ways.
The years between nine and fourteen are foggy for many reasons. At age fourteen I found Christ and much became clearer. I tried too late to make honesty and right my way of life. This struggled with inner pain I chose to suppress. Too many things went suppressed and ignored for me to truly become my potential.
I realize that this is a small framework to start with but the significance is there. I stand at the edge of my half century mark. I have two failed marriages and three lovely children. I am pursuing a writing career that is my passion and God sees fit to let me help my students from time to time in ways that matter.
I do not get to see my sons enough though that is changing. My heart is broken and though I fear it will never heal it is producing some beneficial moments where I seem to flicker out and Christ is prevalent. I am getting healthier physically and mentally. The loneliness is hungry and dangerous but something Christ seems willing to fill and is doing so.
Who am I? I am a sinner, saved by grace, wanting to leave behind the parts of my nature that detract from others seeing Christ in me. Christ is providing the grace for me to be more than I am. I love a wife who has given up on me and see my failures causing difficulties for my sons. So who am I? I am an average guy who needs to depend solely on Christ to become anything more than the sum of my errors. Why did I write this for you? Perhaps you too need to know that you can become more than the sum of your parts. Perhaps you will pray that I do. Perhaps one or two of you who know me well will see that I have come to the end of myself and am trying to build on what is left. Perhaps someone will be encouraged and they too will reach beyond their failures and give grace to others.
Wishing you joy in the journey,
Aramis Thorn
For those of you who do not know me personally, I am not about to reveal my secret identity. I realize that this disappoints some of you, but there is hope for I am growing older and I might slip. What I wish to ponder is the actual nature of who I am with a few stops at points of interest along the way.
Since things should start at the beginning, my childhood will come first. I was a “good kid” who did not sleep much, spread grape jam on his mother’s bed, and felt lonely most of the time. I went through three or four father figures by age nine and was sure it was always my fault. I developed poorly in the social arena and was an easy mark when others looked for someone to pick on. I fell in love with baseball and Star Trek, both of which shaped my character greatly. I lost my grandfather who perhaps was the only person touching my spirit in healthy ways.
The years between nine and fourteen are foggy for many reasons. At age fourteen I found Christ and much became clearer. I tried too late to make honesty and right my way of life. This struggled with inner pain I chose to suppress. Too many things went suppressed and ignored for me to truly become my potential.
I realize that this is a small framework to start with but the significance is there. I stand at the edge of my half century mark. I have two failed marriages and three lovely children. I am pursuing a writing career that is my passion and God sees fit to let me help my students from time to time in ways that matter.
I do not get to see my sons enough though that is changing. My heart is broken and though I fear it will never heal it is producing some beneficial moments where I seem to flicker out and Christ is prevalent. I am getting healthier physically and mentally. The loneliness is hungry and dangerous but something Christ seems willing to fill and is doing so.
Who am I? I am a sinner, saved by grace, wanting to leave behind the parts of my nature that detract from others seeing Christ in me. Christ is providing the grace for me to be more than I am. I love a wife who has given up on me and see my failures causing difficulties for my sons. So who am I? I am an average guy who needs to depend solely on Christ to become anything more than the sum of my errors. Why did I write this for you? Perhaps you too need to know that you can become more than the sum of your parts. Perhaps you will pray that I do. Perhaps one or two of you who know me well will see that I have come to the end of myself and am trying to build on what is left. Perhaps someone will be encouraged and they too will reach beyond their failures and give grace to others.
Wishing you joy in the journey,
Aramis Thorn
10 May 2009
Mum and Buttercups
Greetings Dear Readers and Mum,
I have a memory I cherish. I am about 3 years old and it is either early spring or late fall. I think I am in Washington D.C. but it may be Virginia or Maryland. Mum and I are at the zoo or a park or something. It is one of those character shaping moments that happen because the time and place are right and the adult chooses a path with the child.
We are walking, not on the path but along a fence. There are deer on the other side of the fence. One is an albino. In the field in which we walk grow buttercups; thousands and thousands of butter cups. Along the edge of the fence there are no butter cups, they have all been eaten by the deer.
I do not know how I realized this or what compelled me. I knew in that moment that I had to get buttercups for the deer. My mum helped. Patiently, quietly she show me how to get the buttercups and pass them through the fence to the deer. My memory tells me that I spent hours feeding buttercups to the deer but I am sure I was distracted in moments.
The real thing is, that I learned it was OK to reach out to animals, do something different, and walk my own path. I lost some of those lessons along the way and all to soon the fog of childhood lifted and I realized that my mum was a person. Events of the past year have made me realize that I still have those lessons. I have walked my own path even when it was the wrong one and I was fouling things up.
Every once in a while, when faced with a choice to be like everyone else or to find my own way I remember the deer and the buttercups. I recall how much joy I felt as the soft noses and warm breath caressed my chilled hands. I remember that my mum was really interested in what I was interested in and it has made a difference.
Thank you Mom. Happy Mother Day.
Wishing you joy in the journey,
Aramis Thorn
I have a memory I cherish. I am about 3 years old and it is either early spring or late fall. I think I am in Washington D.C. but it may be Virginia or Maryland. Mum and I are at the zoo or a park or something. It is one of those character shaping moments that happen because the time and place are right and the adult chooses a path with the child.
We are walking, not on the path but along a fence. There are deer on the other side of the fence. One is an albino. In the field in which we walk grow buttercups; thousands and thousands of butter cups. Along the edge of the fence there are no butter cups, they have all been eaten by the deer.I do not know how I realized this or what compelled me. I knew in that moment that I had to get buttercups for the deer. My mum helped. Patiently, quietly she show me how to get the buttercups and pass them through the fence to the deer. My memory tells me that I spent hours feeding buttercups to the deer but I am sure I was distracted in moments.
The real thing is, that I learned it was OK to reach out to animals, do something different, and walk my own path. I lost some of those lessons along the way and all to soon the fog of childhood lifted and I realized that my mum was a person. Events of the past year have made me realize that I still have those lessons. I have walked my own path even when it was the wrong one and I was fouling things up.
Every once in a while, when faced with a choice to be like everyone else or to find my own way I remember the deer and the buttercups. I recall how much joy I felt as the soft noses and warm breath caressed my chilled hands. I remember that my mum was really interested in what I was interested in and it has made a difference.
Thank you Mom. Happy Mother Day.
Wishing you joy in the journey,
Aramis Thorn
05 May 2009
Names for Animals
Greetings Dear Readers,
I saw someone the other day walking their four pets on leashes. They were ferrets. The human
spent the bulk of their time untangling the four leads. The ferrets were not walking as much as it was a mobile wrestling match. I chatted with the human for a moment and as we talked I asked what a group of ferrets were called. She did not know and neither did I. I promised to find the answer and here it is. A group of ferrets may be called a business, a cast, a fesnying, or my favorite and the most accurate a frenzy of ferrets. My search for the name led me to a listing of venery for animals or collective nouns. Some are humorous and some are just strange.
A collection of apes is a shrewdness of apes. I would never associate shrewd with apes, but I do not wish to offend them either. Baboons insist on their own venery but cannot decide if they wish to be tribe, flange, or congress. This sounds very political to me. Badgers collect in a cete. This is the only use of this word and they defend it viciously. I would think they should be a pester of badgers. Bears hibernate in sleuths, but I rarely see them investigating anything other than bee hives. Beavers collect in a lodge and it is rumored that they have a secret handshake.
There are many differing names for birds: they collect in a congregation, dissimulation flight, flock, or volery. Bitterns, a type of heron live in sieges. Boars travel in a singular which seems at
least to be oxymoronic. Bobolinks walk in a chain, and if you have ever seen it the moniker makes sense. Buzzards fly in a wake, which is also what we do for the dead; ironic considering that crows come in a murder, hawks in a kettle, and hummingbirds in a charm. Jays come in both a band and a party. Nightingales come in a watch, penguins a parcel, and peacocks an ostentation. Owls are wise enough to gather in a parliament while rooks form in a storytelling (too bad they all talk at once). Lapwings come in a deceit, so they say.
Camels come in a flock which makes me glad they do not fly. Since many camels live in Australia
I thought I would investigate other Australian animal grouping. Kangaroos hop in a troop, wallabies and emus travel in a mob, wombats are in a warren, lorikeets in a pandemonium, and Great White sharks are in a shiver. Platypus and Koala do not congregate hence there is not a collective for them. When the rare and dangerous Drop bears gather they do so in a surprise or a shock.
All in all the names are intriguing. I will revisit this later as there are hundreds more. For now, think about your favorite animal. I do not know how they group but it could be very fun to find out.
Wishing you joy in the journey,
Aramis Thorn
I saw someone the other day walking their four pets on leashes. They were ferrets. The human
spent the bulk of their time untangling the four leads. The ferrets were not walking as much as it was a mobile wrestling match. I chatted with the human for a moment and as we talked I asked what a group of ferrets were called. She did not know and neither did I. I promised to find the answer and here it is. A group of ferrets may be called a business, a cast, a fesnying, or my favorite and the most accurate a frenzy of ferrets. My search for the name led me to a listing of venery for animals or collective nouns. Some are humorous and some are just strange.A collection of apes is a shrewdness of apes. I would never associate shrewd with apes, but I do not wish to offend them either. Baboons insist on their own venery but cannot decide if they wish to be tribe, flange, or congress. This sounds very political to me. Badgers collect in a cete. This is the only use of this word and they defend it viciously. I would think they should be a pester of badgers. Bears hibernate in sleuths, but I rarely see them investigating anything other than bee hives. Beavers collect in a lodge and it is rumored that they have a secret handshake.
There are many differing names for birds: they collect in a congregation, dissimulation flight, flock, or volery. Bitterns, a type of heron live in sieges. Boars travel in a singular which seems at
least to be oxymoronic. Bobolinks walk in a chain, and if you have ever seen it the moniker makes sense. Buzzards fly in a wake, which is also what we do for the dead; ironic considering that crows come in a murder, hawks in a kettle, and hummingbirds in a charm. Jays come in both a band and a party. Nightingales come in a watch, penguins a parcel, and peacocks an ostentation. Owls are wise enough to gather in a parliament while rooks form in a storytelling (too bad they all talk at once). Lapwings come in a deceit, so they say.Camels come in a flock which makes me glad they do not fly. Since many camels live in Australia
I thought I would investigate other Australian animal grouping. Kangaroos hop in a troop, wallabies and emus travel in a mob, wombats are in a warren, lorikeets in a pandemonium, and Great White sharks are in a shiver. Platypus and Koala do not congregate hence there is not a collective for them. When the rare and dangerous Drop bears gather they do so in a surprise or a shock.All in all the names are intriguing. I will revisit this later as there are hundreds more. For now, think about your favorite animal. I do not know how they group but it could be very fun to find out.
Wishing you joy in the journey,
Aramis Thorn
04 May 2009
Common Courtesy is not so Common
Greetings Dear Readers,
Recently I was speaking with a friend who has more time on the planet that me and she was recalling how different thing were when she was young. I have to agree. It used to be that when you bumped, nudged, or collided with someone, you said, “Excuse me please.” Now the best we get is “sorry” mumbled under the breath and sometimes and expletive for being in another’s way.
It used to be that you were polite to clerks and shopkeepers. It used to be that clerks and shopkeepers were polite to you. It is wearing to me to order food from a sullen teenager who will not look me in the eye or is texting on their phone whilst I am trying to explain that my daughter is allergic to oranges.
I remember that one used to never have to listen to a string of expletives in order to sit and have a meal at a restaurant. It used to be that people were polite in society and civil with each other. Common courtesy was actually common. The thing is we used to be kind and gentle with strangers. Now they are avoided and even scorned.
My Son Maxim used to work as an assistant manager at a local convenience store. He is polite and does his best to make short moments with strangers leave them with a feeling of kindness. A coworker who chanced upon him told me how he behaved. It seems that she was surprised by the genuineness of his comment to her as she paid for her gas. After taking her money and giving her a receipt he simply said, “Take care” as a parting comment. What caught her attention was that she was sure he meant it. He knew they had not met and in that moment he imparted a viable concern for her wellbeing.
How much difference can we make if we are just polite? How much better can we feel if we go a little farther in being kind to each other? I will leave you with this. A guy I interact with regularly stopped me the other day as I paid for my bill at his business. Yes I am being vague on purpose. He told me that he wanted to thank me for being nice to him. I did not remember what I had done so he explained.
Apparently he hates his job and usually goes home and just tunes out. On the day we last interacted, I was his last customer. He said that I was kind and listened to him “bitch about how bad he had it,” when we are in a world where any job is a job. Since he went home in a better mood, he was attentive when his child came to him with a concern. In short he said that my politeness made him a better dad and he did not miss a moment that was very important to his relationship with his child. I cannot take credit for this, but in his mind my tiny effort made a big difference. I assert that anyone can be nice.
Wishing you joy in the journey,
Aramis Thorn
Recently I was speaking with a friend who has more time on the planet that me and she was recalling how different thing were when she was young. I have to agree. It used to be that when you bumped, nudged, or collided with someone, you said, “Excuse me please.” Now the best we get is “sorry” mumbled under the breath and sometimes and expletive for being in another’s way.
It used to be that you were polite to clerks and shopkeepers. It used to be that clerks and shopkeepers were polite to you. It is wearing to me to order food from a sullen teenager who will not look me in the eye or is texting on their phone whilst I am trying to explain that my daughter is allergic to oranges.
I remember that one used to never have to listen to a string of expletives in order to sit and have a meal at a restaurant. It used to be that people were polite in society and civil with each other. Common courtesy was actually common. The thing is we used to be kind and gentle with strangers. Now they are avoided and even scorned.
My Son Maxim used to work as an assistant manager at a local convenience store. He is polite and does his best to make short moments with strangers leave them with a feeling of kindness. A coworker who chanced upon him told me how he behaved. It seems that she was surprised by the genuineness of his comment to her as she paid for her gas. After taking her money and giving her a receipt he simply said, “Take care” as a parting comment. What caught her attention was that she was sure he meant it. He knew they had not met and in that moment he imparted a viable concern for her wellbeing.
How much difference can we make if we are just polite? How much better can we feel if we go a little farther in being kind to each other? I will leave you with this. A guy I interact with regularly stopped me the other day as I paid for my bill at his business. Yes I am being vague on purpose. He told me that he wanted to thank me for being nice to him. I did not remember what I had done so he explained.
Apparently he hates his job and usually goes home and just tunes out. On the day we last interacted, I was his last customer. He said that I was kind and listened to him “bitch about how bad he had it,” when we are in a world where any job is a job. Since he went home in a better mood, he was attentive when his child came to him with a concern. In short he said that my politeness made him a better dad and he did not miss a moment that was very important to his relationship with his child. I cannot take credit for this, but in his mind my tiny effort made a big difference. I assert that anyone can be nice.
Wishing you joy in the journey,
Aramis Thorn
01 May 2009
NO PANTS DAY
Greetings Dear Readers,
Today is No Pants Day. I therefore will not be wearing pants. I am not suggesting that we all go about in our nickers but it is an opportunity to dress in something unusal. Go ahead, have fun. I will be wearing a kilt. There are many places that actually celebrate just wearing their nickers but I would not do that to my fellow beings.
Wishing you joy in the pantsless journey,Aramis Thorn
30 April 2009
Vegemite
Greetings Dear Readers,
As some of you know I have recently influenced by an infusion of Australian culture into my life. One of the things that had fascinated me for years is Vegemite®. For those who do not know what it is, Vegemite® is a savory yeast spread produced by Kraft Foods. I had tried it years ago on a cracker. Apparently this is an error. It tasted salty, strong, and yeasty but I kind of liked it. I did not like it enough to consume it daily as many Australians do but I liked it.
I would bring up the subject from time to time with friends and most have a hesitant to outright disgust reaction to it. Until recently my interaction with true Australians was limited as was my knowledge of the way in which they do things. We put spreads on a cracker. They mostly do not and they call crackers biscuits. What we call biscuits they do not really have and for the record what we call cookies they call biscuits as well. I digress.
Currently there is a rumor that the US FDA has restricted the transport of Vegemite into the US. According to SNOPES (http://www.snopes.com/food/warnings/vegemite.asp) this is not
true. While retailers are having trouble getting it, private persons may bring it in freely. Imagine the reaction of the Australian resident of my home when she thought that she could not get vegemite. I promptly bought a 2.5kg tub of it. I will say that her mental stability was at least challenged. I made the error of suggesting Marmite®, another yeast extract product that except for ingredients, taste, and texture is in no way similar to Vegemite®. If I disappear mysteriously it would be because said Aussie Chic has done away with me for mentioning Marmite® and Vegemite® in the same sentence. Oh dear I just did it again. I am probably doomed.
There is another thing that I researched that is just plain bollix.
Apparently someone did a mockup of Vegemite Toast Crunch as a cereal. The idea is absurd and it seems that the idea is a spoof of Cinnamon Toast Crunch®. The thing is that I cannot imagine liking it and even the picture looks unappetizing.
I guess I digressed again. You see there is a proper way to eat Vegemite®. You put it on toast that has been properly saturated with margarine. Note that I said margarine not butter. I was clearly instructed that the difference is important. When I had my first slice of properly prepared Vegemite® toast I was hooked. It is excellent and addictive. The song is catchy. It tastes good. It also is rich in vitamin D. It is true that Vegemite is a polarizing agent. People either love it or hate it. One can also make Vegemite sandwiches. This is more like two slices of Vegemite® toast but the bread is not toasted. If you can find it, I urge you to try it. After all….
We're happy little Vegemites
As bright as bright can be.
We all enjoy our Vegemite
For breakfast, lunch, and tea.
Our mother says we're growing
stronger every single week.
Because we love our Vegemite.
We all adore our Vegemite.
It puts a rose in every cheek!
Wishing you joy in the journey,
Aramis Thorn
As some of you know I have recently influenced by an infusion of Australian culture into my life. One of the things that had fascinated me for years is Vegemite®. For those who do not know what it is, Vegemite® is a savory yeast spread produced by Kraft Foods. I had tried it years ago on a cracker. Apparently this is an error. It tasted salty, strong, and yeasty but I kind of liked it. I did not like it enough to consume it daily as many Australians do but I liked it.
I would bring up the subject from time to time with friends and most have a hesitant to outright disgust reaction to it. Until recently my interaction with true Australians was limited as was my knowledge of the way in which they do things. We put spreads on a cracker. They mostly do not and they call crackers biscuits. What we call biscuits they do not really have and for the record what we call cookies they call biscuits as well. I digress.
Currently there is a rumor that the US FDA has restricted the transport of Vegemite into the US. According to SNOPES (http://www.snopes.com/food/warnings/vegemite.asp) this is not
true. While retailers are having trouble getting it, private persons may bring it in freely. Imagine the reaction of the Australian resident of my home when she thought that she could not get vegemite. I promptly bought a 2.5kg tub of it. I will say that her mental stability was at least challenged. I made the error of suggesting Marmite®, another yeast extract product that except for ingredients, taste, and texture is in no way similar to Vegemite®. If I disappear mysteriously it would be because said Aussie Chic has done away with me for mentioning Marmite® and Vegemite® in the same sentence. Oh dear I just did it again. I am probably doomed.There is another thing that I researched that is just plain bollix.
Apparently someone did a mockup of Vegemite Toast Crunch as a cereal. The idea is absurd and it seems that the idea is a spoof of Cinnamon Toast Crunch®. The thing is that I cannot imagine liking it and even the picture looks unappetizing.I guess I digressed again. You see there is a proper way to eat Vegemite®. You put it on toast that has been properly saturated with margarine. Note that I said margarine not butter. I was clearly instructed that the difference is important. When I had my first slice of properly prepared Vegemite® toast I was hooked. It is excellent and addictive. The song is catchy. It tastes good. It also is rich in vitamin D. It is true that Vegemite is a polarizing agent. People either love it or hate it. One can also make Vegemite sandwiches. This is more like two slices of Vegemite® toast but the bread is not toasted. If you can find it, I urge you to try it. After all….
We're happy little Vegemites
As bright as bright can be.
We all enjoy our Vegemite
For breakfast, lunch, and tea.
Our mother says we're growing
stronger every single week.
Because we love our Vegemite.
We all adore our Vegemite.
It puts a rose in every cheek!
Wishing you joy in the journey,
Aramis Thorn
27 April 2009
The Edge
Greetings Dear Readers,
Years ago I was out walking with a friend. We were at a gorge that led to a waterfall and this friend found a birch tree that hung out over the edge of the gorge. Of course the friend had to climb out onto that tree and lay in it over the gorge. I recently saw a picture of that same friend on a social networking site, hanging over a river in a tree. It caused me to think of the pattern of their life and that they seem to be constantly seeking the edges of things. I asked this person once why they did such things and they said it was because they wanted to “suck the marrow out of life.”
I have another friend who has two sons. One of them is the kind of guy who is always “safe.” He does what he must and takes few risks. His brother is just the opposite. He pushes the edges of obedience and looks for what he can get away with rather than thinking about what is best.
We all have a reason for the things we do, and to us the reason always seems rational. For years I have been demanding and less than tolerant of the differences in others that are too close to the edge for me. In other areas I have been the one on the edge, not considering if I was there for the right reasons. We run to things that can hurt us, often not knowing why. When run from things that can protect us for the exact same reasons. We damage ourselves because the inner pain is so much worse than the pain we inflict on ourselves and others.
Like so many things, I am learning that the truth is somewhere in the middle. I do not need a cocoon, nor do I need to run to danger to such the marrow out of life. When Thoreau said this, he was commenting on his choice to live deliberately. We must always know why we do what we do. We must examine our choices in light of who we claim to be. As a Christ follower, I must make my choices based on where I think Christ leads and not on what I think will quiet the inner voices or stem the tide of my dissatisfaction. As I learn that the truth is less at the extremes I also learn that the path is far narrower than I first believed. I can only follow what I believe to be right; not what is safe, exciting, convenient, or even understandable. I must be certain that the only thing I seek whether it is on the edge or in the middle is Christ.
I must also trust that others are doing the same even when I think they are absolutely wrong. I realize that this raises questions about how we measure what is wrong because I disagree with it, therefore, making it not wrong but my preference and what is WRONG based on absolute values. I will discuss this more later. For now, I will look again at the picture of my friend hanging over the edge and realize that perhaps the literal edges are not nearly as dangerous as the spiritual ones.
Wishing you joy in the journey,
Aramis Thorn
Years ago I was out walking with a friend. We were at a gorge that led to a waterfall and this friend found a birch tree that hung out over the edge of the gorge. Of course the friend had to climb out onto that tree and lay in it over the gorge. I recently saw a picture of that same friend on a social networking site, hanging over a river in a tree. It caused me to think of the pattern of their life and that they seem to be constantly seeking the edges of things. I asked this person once why they did such things and they said it was because they wanted to “suck the marrow out of life.”
I have another friend who has two sons. One of them is the kind of guy who is always “safe.” He does what he must and takes few risks. His brother is just the opposite. He pushes the edges of obedience and looks for what he can get away with rather than thinking about what is best.
We all have a reason for the things we do, and to us the reason always seems rational. For years I have been demanding and less than tolerant of the differences in others that are too close to the edge for me. In other areas I have been the one on the edge, not considering if I was there for the right reasons. We run to things that can hurt us, often not knowing why. When run from things that can protect us for the exact same reasons. We damage ourselves because the inner pain is so much worse than the pain we inflict on ourselves and others.
Like so many things, I am learning that the truth is somewhere in the middle. I do not need a cocoon, nor do I need to run to danger to such the marrow out of life. When Thoreau said this, he was commenting on his choice to live deliberately. We must always know why we do what we do. We must examine our choices in light of who we claim to be. As a Christ follower, I must make my choices based on where I think Christ leads and not on what I think will quiet the inner voices or stem the tide of my dissatisfaction. As I learn that the truth is less at the extremes I also learn that the path is far narrower than I first believed. I can only follow what I believe to be right; not what is safe, exciting, convenient, or even understandable. I must be certain that the only thing I seek whether it is on the edge or in the middle is Christ.
I must also trust that others are doing the same even when I think they are absolutely wrong. I realize that this raises questions about how we measure what is wrong because I disagree with it, therefore, making it not wrong but my preference and what is WRONG based on absolute values. I will discuss this more later. For now, I will look again at the picture of my friend hanging over the edge and realize that perhaps the literal edges are not nearly as dangerous as the spiritual ones.
Wishing you joy in the journey,
Aramis Thorn
22 April 2009
A Response from and answer to Just Curious, Part 2
Greetings Dear Readers and Just Curious,
This is part 2 of my response to Just Curious’ dialogue. Please read Part 1 and our initial dialogue earlier in this blog to get the full context. I value the questions that Just Curious is asking and feel all can benefit from an open discussion of these issues. You are all invited to participate.
Just Curious: Now that I've asked that question, which is foremost on my mind, this is the way that I see things. I still feel like I must attend traditional church to be doing the right thing based on what you've said. I also feel like many people before us have tried to, with love and humility; tell The Church that they must stop doing business as usual. And yet: Churches get fat, rich, and happy, they decide that the pastor is so great that he deserves to be making as much or more than a big business CEO, they package their product and sell it on TV or the internet FOR profit, whatever they might say to pretend that it's not for that, they get larger and larger by convincing people that it's their way or Hell, and decide to spend millions of dollars on fantastic new buildings, but fall short on their ministry budgets. Last, but not least, the normal way of doing things in this place where we're supposed to be learning better how to be like Jesus is to spoon-feed ideas to people without much discussion at all, and I know that Jesus was a fan of the sit down around the dinner table and talk about it method.
Aramis: I want to say that I hear and share your frustration with many of the things that happen in many churches. I do not think that you “must” attend traditional church in order to be doing what it right. There are some very non-traditional churches out there but they can be hard to find. I visited a true house church when I lived in the southern US and they entire point was to stay small, serve the community, and focus on Christ’s definition of who we are to become.
Many people have tried to do the right thing with love and humility. Does their failure mean that the command to be known by our love runs out of power? I do not think that loving people with humility ever loses its power. When Jesus commanded us to love one another and to be identified by our love for each other he was preparing to be crucified. To me making this statement to those who are about to abandon and deny you, just before committing the ultimate act of humility, being crucified for the sins of the world is the strongest argument I can find for continuing to try this approach. I think that the best way to stop the church from doing business as usual is to stay in it and do business unusual. I will speak more to this later.
You are correct that many, I would say even most churches are fat, lazy, money focused and not fulfilling the great commission. I would also say that even in really good churches about 10% of the people do 90% of the work. Jesus experienced the same thing. We know he miraculously fed 5000 people. We know he sent out 700 people to proclaim is his good news. It was the 12 and mores so the women with him who did most of the ministering. Amidst all of this he did not abandon the model but worked to restore it from within.
The commercialism of the church makes me ill. There will always be false teachers and those who truly “take the name of God in vain.” This does not mean say “God damn” but rather means to identify with God for one’s own purposes. I see this every day in the churches that are gilded and have become the modern day money changers. Alas, I also see it myself at times using Christ for my own purposes. As my pastor so often says, we are all crooked sticks. We should not support church leadership that uses Christ for their own purposes. We should do all we can to support church leadership that gets it right.
You are correct the Jesus is a fan of the one on one or small group discussion, but if you look carefully in the gospels there is a balance between that and the public forum. He did both and set a clear example of working within the church model to achieve the great commission. We must be individual workers all rowing in the same direction. We must also be a community. Paul spends a great deal of time telling churches how to behave. If all the people who get what he is saying leave the churches that are not behaving that way, or fail to support the leadership that gets it, how will we ever achieve change?
Just Curious: If we're to love people as Christ did, are we supposed to get angry with people the way that he did too, and isn't any group of leaders that do things this way a modern-day Pharisee?
Aramis: I think that anger at bad leadership is justified. The only time we are commanded to get angry about anything is in Ephesians and that command is coupled with the command to do so without sinning. Before I judge someone else as a Pharisee I need to be sure that I am not violating any of the other commands about dealing with those who offend me. Have I gone to them and told them face to face what offends me? Have I shown them the love that Christ promises will promote unity? I know that I have failed at times to both be and example and to love others beyond their failings. When I see something wrong, I am to attempt to restore the person doing the wrong in a sense of love and humility. There is a process for that.
A final thought. Christ commanded us to love over and over again. He never commands us to be angry but he does command us not to swallow the lies of the Pharisees. I am blessed with a church who’s leadership gets it. Many of the people do not. I will support the leadership and when given opportunity speak soft words of change to those around me. I hope that I have answered your questions Just Curious and I hope the conversation continues.
Wishing you joy in the journey,
Aramis Thorn, crooked stick in a bundle of crooked sticks
This is part 2 of my response to Just Curious’ dialogue. Please read Part 1 and our initial dialogue earlier in this blog to get the full context. I value the questions that Just Curious is asking and feel all can benefit from an open discussion of these issues. You are all invited to participate.
Just Curious: Now that I've asked that question, which is foremost on my mind, this is the way that I see things. I still feel like I must attend traditional church to be doing the right thing based on what you've said. I also feel like many people before us have tried to, with love and humility; tell The Church that they must stop doing business as usual. And yet: Churches get fat, rich, and happy, they decide that the pastor is so great that he deserves to be making as much or more than a big business CEO, they package their product and sell it on TV or the internet FOR profit, whatever they might say to pretend that it's not for that, they get larger and larger by convincing people that it's their way or Hell, and decide to spend millions of dollars on fantastic new buildings, but fall short on their ministry budgets. Last, but not least, the normal way of doing things in this place where we're supposed to be learning better how to be like Jesus is to spoon-feed ideas to people without much discussion at all, and I know that Jesus was a fan of the sit down around the dinner table and talk about it method.
Aramis: I want to say that I hear and share your frustration with many of the things that happen in many churches. I do not think that you “must” attend traditional church in order to be doing what it right. There are some very non-traditional churches out there but they can be hard to find. I visited a true house church when I lived in the southern US and they entire point was to stay small, serve the community, and focus on Christ’s definition of who we are to become.
Many people have tried to do the right thing with love and humility. Does their failure mean that the command to be known by our love runs out of power? I do not think that loving people with humility ever loses its power. When Jesus commanded us to love one another and to be identified by our love for each other he was preparing to be crucified. To me making this statement to those who are about to abandon and deny you, just before committing the ultimate act of humility, being crucified for the sins of the world is the strongest argument I can find for continuing to try this approach. I think that the best way to stop the church from doing business as usual is to stay in it and do business unusual. I will speak more to this later.
You are correct that many, I would say even most churches are fat, lazy, money focused and not fulfilling the great commission. I would also say that even in really good churches about 10% of the people do 90% of the work. Jesus experienced the same thing. We know he miraculously fed 5000 people. We know he sent out 700 people to proclaim is his good news. It was the 12 and mores so the women with him who did most of the ministering. Amidst all of this he did not abandon the model but worked to restore it from within.
The commercialism of the church makes me ill. There will always be false teachers and those who truly “take the name of God in vain.” This does not mean say “God damn” but rather means to identify with God for one’s own purposes. I see this every day in the churches that are gilded and have become the modern day money changers. Alas, I also see it myself at times using Christ for my own purposes. As my pastor so often says, we are all crooked sticks. We should not support church leadership that uses Christ for their own purposes. We should do all we can to support church leadership that gets it right.
You are correct the Jesus is a fan of the one on one or small group discussion, but if you look carefully in the gospels there is a balance between that and the public forum. He did both and set a clear example of working within the church model to achieve the great commission. We must be individual workers all rowing in the same direction. We must also be a community. Paul spends a great deal of time telling churches how to behave. If all the people who get what he is saying leave the churches that are not behaving that way, or fail to support the leadership that gets it, how will we ever achieve change?
Just Curious: If we're to love people as Christ did, are we supposed to get angry with people the way that he did too, and isn't any group of leaders that do things this way a modern-day Pharisee?
Aramis: I think that anger at bad leadership is justified. The only time we are commanded to get angry about anything is in Ephesians and that command is coupled with the command to do so without sinning. Before I judge someone else as a Pharisee I need to be sure that I am not violating any of the other commands about dealing with those who offend me. Have I gone to them and told them face to face what offends me? Have I shown them the love that Christ promises will promote unity? I know that I have failed at times to both be and example and to love others beyond their failings. When I see something wrong, I am to attempt to restore the person doing the wrong in a sense of love and humility. There is a process for that.
A final thought. Christ commanded us to love over and over again. He never commands us to be angry but he does command us not to swallow the lies of the Pharisees. I am blessed with a church who’s leadership gets it. Many of the people do not. I will support the leadership and when given opportunity speak soft words of change to those around me. I hope that I have answered your questions Just Curious and I hope the conversation continues.
Wishing you joy in the journey,
Aramis Thorn, crooked stick in a bundle of crooked sticks
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