As So It Goes

Greetings Dear Reader,

So I would choose to be with you

As if the choice were mine to make;

And you can make decisions too

And you can have this heart to break. – Billy Joel

I often wonder why I keep my heart so open.  I know that it is going to get me hurt.  I know that I have made serious mistakes and caused my own pain at times.  I also know that anyone who keeps an open heart can only do so by putting themselves as risk of being hurt.  And so it goes.

The other side of that coin is that if I choose not to have an open heart then I can avoid being hurt.  Unfortunately the inscription on that side of the coin includes loneliness.  I cannot guard my heart from pain without shutting out a connection to others.  It is in that connection to others that the risk is involved.  And so it goes.

Even though the intent of the lines is between two people it is between my heart and that of Christ that the most significant tether exists.  Christ risked all to come after us; me.  Christ allows his heart to be broken over and over again for us.  How can I then not put my heart in his hands?  How can I not then leave it open no matter how much I do not understand the world?  And so it goes.

People abandon faith and following because of hurts and lack of understanding.  God does not act as we think he should in all situations.  Just because I am not in the place I wish to be does not mean that God is not doing what is best for me.  Just because things do not unfold as I think they should does not me they are not unfolding properly. 

One of the seminal elements of faith is brokenness.  I must put myself at risk to find the love and peace that is in Christ. I must give him my heart to break so that my own falleness can get out and more importantly he can get in.  I think that only in this transaction can I find peace in the pain.  And so it goes.

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."

A Question if You Please

Greetings Dear Reader,

Today I wish to ask you a question.  If you could have me write about any topic what would it be?  I value you so highly and wonder what you wonder.

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."

The Sin Behind the Gin

Greetings Dear Reader,

I do not drink often and when I do I seldom drink much.  A few evenings ago, however, I had a little too much.  I was home, not going anywhere, and not alone.  What I discovered about myself bears a little examination. 

Even inebriated I could tell I had choices.  I knew right from wrong I just did not care as much.  My emotions were much more powerful than my reason but I knew that I had a choice about everything I said or did.  It has me thinking about all the times I hear that people could not control their words or actions due to outside influences.

I have a friend who talks about “locus of control” often.  She is very good at pointing out to others that they can control what they say or do if they choose to do so.  How often to I use some external influence to allow a less than honest attempt to follow Christ?  I have much more control over what I do, think, and say than I ponder.  I know that I am designed to do and be certain things.  Perhaps the sin that permeates without notice is when I allow other influences to hold me back from being my best.

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."

The Blank Page

Greetings Dear Reader,

Every morning I awaken and face the emptiness of a blank white rectangle.  Sometimes I already know what I will write about.  Sometimes I spend time just staring and wondering what will spin out of my head.  Either way it is up to me what gets typed.  I am responsible what I put on the page and whether I pass it on to others. 

So many things influence my writing.  It is the impact of those influences that often translates to my books and blog.  I even write poetry but rarely put that into any public arena.  Much of what I write never sees anything but the depths of my hard drive.

What I am pondering today and have been since Sunday is the things that influence what goes on the page.  My Grandfather used to say “What’s comes up in the bucket is what’s down in the well.”  What I am inside and how I deal with external influences puts an imprint my words.

There is another blank page I have a small part in influencing.  I more intrigued by the influences that are most important to the things that are being written.  I got to spend the entire day Sunday with my Grandson.  In the last year and a bit his parents have written some beautiful things on his page.  His extended family is evident in the story he is becoming as well. 

What enthralls me is the level of social and emotional stability that has already imprinted on him.  He squeals with joy when either of his parents enters the room.  He has a similar reaction to his uncle.  It is obvious that in his home he feels loved and secure.  He is intelligent and learning rapidly.  He shows great delight in people.

There is so much to be written on this beautiful page and his story will unfold influenced by those around him.  I am driven to make choices that will write only good on this beautiful page that is my Grandson.  I examine all attitudes and actions that might influence him to be less than the beautiful person he has to potential to become.  I wish only to nurture him in positive ways and to bring no sorrow to his lovely face.

It causes me to ponder how I influence others as well.  What I write on their pages matter and ultimately influences how I am internally.  For the love of Christ and my Grandson I am working hard to purify my 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."

   

Scrummy Conundrums

Greetings Dear Reader,

One of the things unavoidable in life is choices.  Sometimes we have difficult ones and sometimes pleasant ones.  The difficult ones take their toll.  The pleasant ones can as well.  I have been thinking about the choices I make daily and how to assure that I make them efficiently without forgetting to focus on Christ.

I think that this is part of the reason I am to be constantly in prayer.  Even the pleasant choices require that I focus on Christ in them.  If I am choosing between two good things my heart must be set on what I think will draw me closer to Christ.  I do not think that I have to make the absolute “right” choice.  I do not think that God strains of minutia. 

I do, however, think that Christ wants our hearts to be focused on what draws us closer to him.  Even what kind of pie I have matters in that I want my choices to be what is pleasing to God.  Again, it is not in the choosing but in the attitude.  If I trifle about these choices then it is habit when there are difficulty ones.  If my habit is to consider what draws me closer to Christ in following him then the less than delectable choices are drawn into that pattern of thinking.

Anything I can preload to push me toward obedience to God in following Christ is a benefit.  Any time I can be sure that I have considered if my choice is loving God with all my heart I am ahead of where I could be.  So no matter how scrumptious the conundrum, it must be resolved in light of my love for God and his Son.

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."

Peanuts Parents

Greetings Dear Reader,

As I begin my second full week of 2012 I was putting away the Christmas DVD collection.  I had not watched A Charlie Brown Christmas and put it in to enjoy.  One of the elements used in the Charlie Brown shows is the “wa wa wa” sound used represent the speaking of adults.

I usually laugh at this.  This time, however, I had a different reaction. I found myself truly wondering what the adults were saying.  It then caused me to ponder just how I listen to God.  Do I treat God’s words as things I have heard before and need not heed a uniquely directed at me?  Do I give things the interpretation that suits me?  How do I listen to God?

The only way I can answer this is to choose to listen clearly and intently as if my Creator is speaking to me for the first time. The life of following Christ is a life of listening.  It is a life of knowing that my own thoughts get in the way of that listening if I am not vigilant.  My Grandfather used to point out that we had two ears and one mouth for a reason.  We should listen twice as much as we speak.  Since I cannot see Christ it is that much more important that I must listen if I am to follow.

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."

Dead Men’s Clothes

Greetings Dear Reader,

Some years ago some friends and I did a study in an intentional approach to reducing possessions and paying closer attention to consumption.  The result of that time has had some very lasting results.  I made a couple of dear friends and value them highly.  I also learned how to meter my consumption and consider the source of my acquisitions more carefully.

In contrasting this learning with my current needs I made a choice to get some more shirts for work at a thrift store instead of buying new ones.  As I was perusing my choices as the thrift store a worker actually asked if I needed assistance.  I mentioned that I was looking for some shirts and gave her my size.  Immediately she took me to the section where there were some very fine shirts.

I thanked her and she offered the following.  “These should be great.  They are all new.  Some guy died and his family brought in all the new clothes he got for Christmas.”  It set me back for a moment.  Then it occurred to me that much of what comes from a thrift store has to potential of this same source. 

I would want my things to go on being used if I were gone.  Stewardship is the use of things wisely.  It would be unwise to forgo reusing things just because they had come from a dead man.  We inherit so much from the past.  I wonder how I can better where that which is handed down to 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."

Why Do You…

Greetings Dear Reader,

Last night our friend Present joined us for dinner (That is not a typo.  Her name means Gift or Present from God.)  We had some rare time just to sit and talk.  She had questions.  They were great questions.  They were the kind of questions that cause one to examine motives and patters.

After Present departed I spent a couple of hours pondering some of the whys and some of her insights.  Pondering her questions led to a broader questioning of my reasons for other things.  I do not intend to go into specifics here but it reminded me just how much we must live an examined life.  The “why” of our habits, choices, and actions is so very important. 

If I live an unexamined life or even an unexamined day I cannot be assured that I have given all of my efforts to Christ.  Asking why I do things that I do and why I do them the way I do is so vital to following Christ.  If my motives are not centered on loving God with all my heart, soul, and mind then I must question what I do.  If what I do does not show love to others then I must question my motives.  On this rests all that needs doing.

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."

A Homemade Pie

Greetings Dear Reader,

I am a lover of pie.  I don’t really care for cake or cookies that much (with one exception that I will mention later).  I wish that there was birthday pie instead of birthday cake.  I wish that we took breaks for milk and pie.  Does “that takes the pie” really sound so awkward?

The kind of pie matters.  Key lime is my favorite.  Mincemeat, Pumpkin, and Pecan pies are a close second.  Of the many fruit pies one could have I prefer cherry, peach, and blueberry.  Since I moved to the Midwest I have discovered strawberry rhubarb to be delightful.  Of the custard or crème pies I prefer coconut to any other but my sister’s banana cream pie is without equal.

As I mentioned yesterday I returned to work on Tuesday after some time off for good behaviour.  That first day back was filled with joy at seeing my students and colleagues but was a very long sixteen hour day.  When I arrived home at 11:03 that night my daughter Christmas had baked a cherry pie for me.  I am still in awe of it.

One of the things that I treasure is when someone makes a pie or oatmeal raisin cookies for me (there is the aforementioned cookie reveal).  It touches a deeply hidden part of my spirit that rarely comes out to play.  Every time I think about that cherry pie I smile.  It has helped merge back into my no writing work with ease.

There is something so powerful about looking into someone else and seeing something that makes them feel special.  I know how to do this and try to do it often.  I am going to try and do it more.  It is not the pie.  It is the knowing and doing.  We can do so much to make others burdens lighter.  If making a pie or some cookies can impact me so deeply I need to focus on how to create that feeling in 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."

     

926 Emails

Greetings Dear Reader,

I returned to my teaching job after a wonderful seventeen day vacation.  I was blessed to spend a great deal of time with my children and perusing the things I love to do.  My routine is very simple when I arrive at work.

First I check voice messages so the angry red light on my phone will go away.  I had one.  Then I log into my PC and check email.  I had 926.  Usually I have fifty or sixty in the morning if I have departed before evening classes are over.  I receive about seven emails daily from a technology site to which I subscribe.  Internal emails from the Dean and Director are there. Students know this is the best way to get their needs met.  Email is my primary form of absent communication at work.

Image by OCAL

When I was on vacation I did not check my email even once.  As I saw this ocean of emails I thought it would take my entire day to work through them and I had two classes to teach.  Having prepped for class and there still being an hour before class time I wadded into the flood.  After about a half hour I had the total number of emails that I had to attend to down to 185.  I was able to delete 741 of them as either beyond the time of their importance, advertising, or technology news that I also received at home and already read.

It caused me to ponder for the remainder of the day the vast amount of things that pass through my inbox that quickly become irrelevant.  I know that we use email as if it costs nothing.  That is not true.  Every email has a price tag.  When you include the hardware and software involved and when you consider the price of an Internet Service Provider it can be staggering.  When sending an email each one costs about twenty cents.  That means I deleted $148.20 worth of email without even reading it.

I work hard not to waste things.  I am intentional about reducing the amount of things I use and own.  I wonder collectively how much email is trashed daily just at my work.  In my efforts to be a good steward of all that I am given I need to even think about the email I use.  I will return to this topic later in the year but for now I want be more careful about what I consume and measure how I do.  Stewardship of what I am given applies even to technology.

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."