Throwing Stones – When you are in Power

Greetings Dear Reader,

I was reminded yesterday of a time when the upper management of a company for which I worked spent a good hour scolding us for a problem that was completely out of our control.  We were a team giving our very best and the problem turned out to be systemic and unstoppable.  I still feel the wounds from be shamed by someone who should have been supportive and helpful.

I took away from this a keen awareness of how important it is that we hand out as much grace and understanding as possible when in a position of power.  The stones we wield are more powerful and can do more damage.  Since there are people that work for me I must always be aware that my words must be gracious and kind.  I must encourage others into success. 

I know times that I have thrown stones instead of dealing in grace.  Those times have done damage.  I know how much damage has been done to my heart through those who throw stones instead of dealing in grace.  I must again find myself in the place of treating others as I wish to be treated.  I must love others as I wish to be loved.

When God entrusts me with authority over someone else in any situation he is counting on me to give grace to those individuals.  I am in such dire need of grace that I must not fail to give that which I desire to be given.

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."

Throwing Stones – When I am Winning

Greetings Dear Reader,

I can still remember the first conversation my Grandfather had with me about humility.  It was a very simple one.  We were at a Braves game and I was excited that the Braves were winning.  A nearby fan began yelling insults at the Mets’ pitcher.

My Grandfather saw that I was listening and very quietly explained that we never insult our opposition.  He told me that we are always to treat our opponents with respect.  It saddens me that sports have become about dominating instead of about healthy competition and honorable play. 

When I am winning it is a great opportunity to be humble and hand out grace.  It is a time for me to be thankful for the gifts that allow me to win.  There are times when I lose these lessons and doing so impacts others in harmful ways.  Winning is useless if in doing so I fail to be who Christ wishes me to be as his follower.

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."

Throwing Stones – First Thoughts

Greetings Dear Reader,

I recently had the opportunity to throw some stones.  I am not saying this in a figurative way but in the literal “pick up a rock and throw it” kind of way.  Since the injury to my shoulder five years ago this is a tentative practice.  I managed to get some distance with a few baseball sized stones and the resound plop and ripples in my target lake were satisfying.

Since the effort produced no pain I took a moment to thank God for the grace of being able to throw again.  This led to thoughts about the juxtaposition of throwing stones and handing out grace.  Most figurative opportunities to throw stones are also opportunities to hand out grace.

When I find that I am in a position to throw stones I must consider if I am allowed to do so.  Opportunity does not equal permission.  Opportunity does not equal the right to do something.  In light of Christ’s words concerning throwing stones I have to consider much more than whether I can do a thing.  I must always consider if I should do a thing.

When I hold the stone in my hand I am in a position of power.  What I do next is of great import in each situation.  I can do great damage if I do not choose wisely.  In each situation I must consider whether it is right in my journey with Christ to throw the stone or hand out grace. 

Do I win the argument or do I show grace and love?  That seems easy when discussing it but difficult in the moment.  I need to walk more deeply through this area.  Come with me if you wish.  As always Dear Reader, I value your input.

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."

Boys in the Basement

Greetings Dear Reader,

Often I awake in the wee hours with an idea for a story, book, or blog post.  It may be a snippet of a line that leads to questions about the line.  It may be a full blown story.  Sometimes it is something that someone said that has incubated in the pools and eddies of my subconscious to emerge as an idea.

Stephen King refers to the process as “The Boys in the Basement” doing their work.  I have adopted this in honor of his creativity and the process.  The creative process for me is an interesting one.  It is a microcosm of my faith and following.

I believe that nothing about me is not an aspect of either my spiritual or fallen nature.  Every idea will either yield something that is honoring to God or something that is not.  If I see my writing as something that is a gift from God then I will seek to write only things that respect him.

Every story has values whether I wish it or not.  I am accountable to magnify those values that are good.  I must avoid glorifying the things that are not.  I must not judge others in my writing but instead must extend grace and love.  I must bring into captivity every thought so that my focus in on Christ and the gospel.

This does not mean that every story or vignette must be about Jesus.  It does mean that I must consider the values that every person in every tale has in the light of Christ.  I cannot fall into the traps of creating cut out Christians or the abyss of idolizing any kind of evil.  I must not hesitate to show my holy characters as flawed and my villains as human.  Honest writing demands that I see people as they are and not as caricatures.

If I am to pursue writing then I must do it in honesty and in faith that I am following Christ with that writing.  I am accountable for every word.  My passion is to tell stories that move others in the direction of knowing Christ.  The boys in the basement are there to help work on this when I am working at other things.  I am very thankful for them.

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 Prayer for the World

Greetings Dear Reader,

I remember when I was young praying for the world in a generic way.  It went something like “and God bless the whole world”.   I ask now what do I wish for the world?  I think he already blesses the world with little acknowledgment for that blessing.

My prayer would be that people would see God for who he is and not for the image that man has made him into.  I do not thing even those who believe begin to see the depth to which God loves us. 

Humans make war over how we are to serve God when what he asks is that we love each other.  My prayer would be that we try his way first.  How much would it hurt for us to be loving to everyone?  I try and when I succeed it feels pretty good.  When kindness flows from me to others it changes things.

My prayer would be that we see how much God really gives us and that we would try to give something back.  We blame God instead of thanking him.  Some of us only call on him when in need.  Others word to prove he is not there.

I think that we have become so caught up in our own sense of superiority that we have dulled the need that lives within us to connect to that which is greater than us.  So often I see that others need to be loved for who they are and accepted with all of their flaws.  No matter what men have said about God this is what he offers us.  My prayer is that the world could see God and all that he truly offers them.

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."

Second Thoughts - Last Game of the Season

Greetings Dear Reader,

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

Last night Christmas and I attended our last baseball game for the season.  This is a local team in a summer college league.  It is great baseball in a lovely family atmosphere.  The tickets are inexpensive and the food is good.  The staff is friendly.

Even though the home team lost the game was exciting and the night perfect.  A warm evening and overcast sky yielded a beautiful orange sunset.  I ate my fill of brats and chips. Christmas had bacon wrapped corn on the cob.

Seated in front of us were two young boys with their mum and dad.  It was so much fun to watch these boys develop a love a baseball under the tutelage of their parents.  It was also fun to watch the dad turn into a little boy for a moment when the “beer batter” struck out making beer two for one for the rest of the inning.

All that I love about baseball was present in last night’s game.  As summer catches a glimpse of autumn on the horizon my Braves are in solid command of first place in their division.  I will likely not see another game in person until spring.  I will follow the Braves closely win or lose.   

The investment I made in live baseball this summer has been wonderful.  I was able to see games with all my children.  Both my Grandsons attended as well.  I think that next year I will attend even more games.  It does something to my spirit to be there that translates into me being better in other areas.  That alone is worth the investment.

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 Prayer for My Friends

Greetings Dear Reader,

So if I am aware that I am to love my enemies then how do I pray for my friends?  I realize that this may not be a logical leap for everyone but it is at the core of my being.  It follows like this.  I am to love my enemies.  If I love someone they are not truly my enemy.  I love my friends; therefore, everyone is my friend.  So how do I pray for my friends?

What do I want for my friends?  What are their needs?  I know what I want for them but I do not always know their needs.  What I want for my friends is what I want for everyone.  I want them to know Christ deeply and richly.  I want them to follow him so closely that they step on his sandal from time to time.  I want them to enjoy lives that are filled with feeling the love that God has for them so deeply that it naturally overflows to others.

What do they need?  I only find this out by being in their lives.  I know of certain needs that everyone has but I need to be aware of the needs of my friends.  I need to pray for them and those needs.  I need to help where I can.  Too often I look to my own wants and needs instead of the needs of others.

I need to focus on the needs of others and allow Christ to meet my needs as he sees fit.  I must see this as the natural way to live.  I must also pray that my friends learn to live this way.  In this is the key to success at praying for my friends.

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 Prayer for my Enemies

Greetings Dear Reader,

First let me say that I do not choose to have any enemies.  I have them but only because they have chosen to be so.  I am commanded to love them.  I think that there are some very wicked people in the world.  I think that evil carries its own pain and punishment.  I also wish none of that on anyone.

We see rants all too often against those with whom we disagree.  We make enemies over political, social, and religious issues without considering that this hinders our capacity to love others.  As a Christ follower I am required to love everyone.  The fewer enemies I make the easier it is to love others.

So how do I practically live out loving those who have chosen to be my enemy?  Those I encounter in my daily life I treat with love, respect, and kindness.  There are very few of these.  For those who hate me just because of my beliefs or lifestyle:  I pray for them. 

The ways in which I do this are simple.  I pray that they will have their needs met.  I ask God to reveal himself to them in a way that lets them see the distance and how to cross it.  I pray that those who they encounter who are Christ followers will leave an indelible positive mark on them. 

I try not to collect enemies.  For those who consider me an enemy know that I love you and care about what happens to you. 

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."

Second Thoughts - Moon Pie

Greetings Dear Reader,

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

My Grandson Orion loves Moon Pies.  His favorite seems to be banana but he likes chocolate too.  I bring them to him often and he wants to eat them immediately.  Whenever I think of Moon Pies I think of a song by that name as well.  It was created and performed by some musicians I knew over a decade ago.  They are very talented and I often would hum the few lines of the song I knew. 

Tonight one of those musicians gifted me with an MP 3 of the song.  I am listening to it as I write.  This song reminds me of potential and possibility.  I will have to wait until Orion is a little over for him to hear it.  The song, however, reminds me of things that fill me with joy.

It is interesting how the timing of this is so very perfect for my current needs.  I am stuck at a crossroads and not sure where to go.  This music, a gift from my old friend and from God reminds me that I get what I need when I need it.  As the sun sets on my day my heart is filled with joy and wonder and just how much God loves 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."

The Morning Mist

Greetings Dear Reader,

The last couple of mornings there has been a deep mist over the fields outside my window.  It shrouds the grass and corn so that in some areas it seems as if a cloud has descended in the night to nap upon the ground.  I love how the mist swirls and flows with the movement of air and vacillation of temperature.

When driving at this time of morning I truly enjoy watching the sun play on the mist in fields and valleys.  It is a time when I am reminded that the world hides beautiful things with other beautiful things at times.  Things shrouded in the mist can be forgotten but the beauty of the mist is never lost on me.

The mist in its loveliness is temporal and fleeting.  It is magical and mysterious.  If I do not take the time to enjoy it the sun will quickly burn it away and the opportunity will be lost.  I am thankful for the mist of a cool morning and the way in which it reminds me that God is a constant artist in the world.  It also reminds me that he is a constant artist in my life.  For this I am also very thankful. 

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."