Every-stuff

Greetings Dear Reader,

Yesterday I enjoyed a house filled with people celebrating Natalie’s birthday.  Among the people here were my Grandsons.  Orion, the eldest is almost three.  He is intelligent and very verbal.  One of the things he likes about my house my workshop.

I imagine that it is a place filled with wonders to his young eyes.  Yesterday I found him standing in the pantry which is adjacent to the workshop.  I asked him what he was doing.  He pointed toward the shop door and said, “The lights are not on in there and they need to be Grandpa.”

I asked him if he would like to go in there.  He said yes.  I asked him what was in there that he wished to see.  He looked up at me with wonder in his eyes and simple said, “Everystuff.”

I smiled the deep smile that evokes so easily.  These moments make me see so clearly how God sees us.  We focus on things that intrigue us and feel that those things are so paramount.  Orion knew what he wished to see and made it very clear as he showed me all the things he liked in my shop.

Included in all the wonderful moments yesterday this is one of my favorite.  It pushed me to consider the wonder of discovery that is mine as I follow Christ.  His simple word, “Every-stuff” reminded me of the many wonders and discoveries that lie ahead for me.  He made me feel young and alive.  For that I am so 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."

An Long Expected Party

Greetings Dear Reader,

Today we will have a grand party to celebrate Christmas.  I have been prepping all week and enjoying cooking to prepare.  My mind needs occupation during the chopping and mixing.  Often I think of the same thing during party preparation.

I do not pretend to understand what God has in store for us.  I do know that at some point there will be what is called “The Marriage Supper of the Lamb.”  My Grandfather always called it “the big dinner.”  I know that there will be something and that it will be amazing.

As I prepare food today I will do what I have done all week.  I will ponder a time when there is peace, love, and an end to all that is harsh.  I will anticipate the beauty and grace of a world without sin and death.  I will put my love for that time into the sweet tea, salsa, and sausage rolls I make.

Sometimes I long for this time to be here now.  I long to be reunited with my Grandfather and see the Daughter and Sister I never really knew.  I long to bask in the presence of God and be free from the struggle with sin.  I see the party today as an oasis to remember what lies ahead. 

This oasis in the journey will energize me spiritually even as it wears me out physically.  The joy in the journey today is that Christmas is alive and growing.  She has left behind a live of pain and danger and grows in the faith she has found.  The joy in the journey today is that friends and family will come to my home and I get to be kind to them.  If you are here today Dear Reader I feel joy in seeing you.  If you are reading this and unable to join us know that you too are an oasis in my journey home.

I am off to cook.  I wish blessings upon you until we meet at the big dinner. 

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 Grumpy Man

Greetings Dear Reader,

I have a favorite diner.  At that diner I have a favorite waitress.  When I take my weekly breakfast out at this diner I usually sit in the same seat.  Some think I am a creature of habit.

Last summer I wrote about a man who treated my favorite waitress rudely because he was in a hurry.  He excuse for his behavior was that he had to go help his church and he was running late.  Again this year he did the same.  I could see how hurt my friend the waitress was by his words and actions.

After he rushed off she confided in me that she has learned that one of her children has just be diagnosed with a chronic illness.  The grumpy man has no idea how much hurt his actions caused.

I was able to both comfort and aid my friend.  This did, however, cause me to consider when I am impatient with others.  How often does my self-centeredness cause others stress when they are already under a great burden?

The only way I can see clearly to follow Christ is to assure that I get my eyes off of my own interests and invest in the needs of others.  It is my duty to do so.  It is a joy to accomplish 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."

Christmas in August

Greetings Dear Reader,

Today my Daughter Christmas turns 25.  I have been pondering the lessons Christ has taught me with her in my life.  It amazes me how my intent was to help her but that Jesus had in mind for me to learn so much. 

The primary lesson I have learned is the depth to which God will go to show me that he is there.  I have

watched him heal and nurture this person in ways I have not imagined possible.  His provision for her needs is astounding.  In turn I see in her someone who will stop on the side of a highway to comfort the child of a family who has been in an accident. She has a giving spirit that wishes for everyone to be touched by her joy in Christ.

Her ability to accept people where they are teaches me much.  I have learned greatly how to love others without placing expectations on them.  I have also learned to put my own problems in perspective.  Give the path she has had to walk or sometimes crawl to get where she is my biggest problem is quite small.

It amazes me that someone who has endured so much can still be so positive and loving.  She still has much to learn and struggles at times with the process.  She does remind me daily just how much of a celebration life can be for those who know Christ and his power to work in our lives.  Having her in my life is like having a little bit of Christmas every day.   

Today I wish to simply celebrate her.  I hope you will join me Dear Reader in wishing her a happy birthday and much joy in her journey yet to come.

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 – Closing Thoughts

Greetings Dear Reader,

It is so easy to hurt others.  People may act unscathed or untouched.  They may laugh off things we say that hurt them.  The responsibility to not throw stones resides completely with me. 

I must be the one who assures that others are safe from random barbs from my mouth.  I must always be seeking to deal in grace.  I must look for opportunities to show love by being good when others are in need.

It saddens me that people are surprised by this when I do it.   I am not someone special.  I am doing what we should all do.  I do not refrain from throwing stones as well as I should.  Even at the college level I see students throw stones at each other as if it were junior high. 

We must accept everyone where they are and for who they are.  From there we can show kindness and grace.  It is not only that we must be this way but that this must be our strength.  The power of grace and love is so much more than that of a stone.

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 Someone Fails

Greetings Dear Reader,

I must admit that I enjoy the humor of some of the internet memes regarding “epic fails.”   That said I must be aware of the degree to which I indulge in this.  It is an easy thing to move from seeing the humor in an ironically misspelled tattoo to jeering at the person who will carry the mistake until they can afford to correct it.

Worse still is this type of stone throwing that occurs when someone fails in life.  I have experienced the pain of someone deeming that my failure is an opportunity for them to attack me.  I am sure some of you have heard the expression that “Christians shoot their wounded.”  I have been the target and seen it done to others.

When one of us fails or falls it may be the most important time for the rest of us to hand out grace.  I need to be the one who steps forward with grace, mercy, and kindness even if no one else will.  Instead we often throw epithets and pejorative comments at those whose sin we see as worse than our own.  When I attack someone else who has need of grace and mercy I limit my own grace and mercy.

It is too easy to shoot the wounded.  Through love, grace, and mercy we can help them heal.  If I wish to faithfully follow Christ then I will not hesitate to reach out to those who have fallen or failed.  I will move quickly to offer a hand up and an opportunity to restoration if I wish to see grace the way Christ sees it.  Anything less is throwing stones or watching whilst others do 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."

Second Thoughts - Who I still Am

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.

In October of 2010 I shared a post Who Am I?  It recounted how a three year old little girl thought I was God.  She is the youngest daughter in a family of six daughters.  I love this family dearly and cherish the opportunities I have to help them.  Part of the way they make a living is running concessions at state fairs. 

We visited them at the Wisconsin State fair this past Saturday.  It was great to catch up with them and we had an enjoyable day at the fair.  As we were preparing to leave we were saying goodbye to the mother of the family and thanking her for the day.  She looked obviously stressed and I inquired as to why.

She informed me that she had not seen her youngest now five in a bit.  She brushed away the worry saying that the little was most likely with her older sister.  Then her older sister turned up as we were speaking without the little one.  We all began to search the area for this little child and my Daughter Christmas found her quickly.  She was hiding between two of the food trailers behind some boxes.

Christmas and the child’s mum spent some time calming the little one and then her mum asked if I would be willing to drive the child to spend the rest of the day with her grandmother at the family caravan.  I was happy to do so.

As I carried the child out of the state fair to my car we talked about her family and I kept reassuring myself that she was past the trauma and feeling better.  She asked questions about my beard and long hair.  She said I was the only boy she knew with long hair.  Just before I put her down to get into the car she grabbed me around the neck and pushed her mouth up against my ear.  In a child’s stage whisper she said, “Thank you God.”  She then quickly let go and climbed into the car.

Once again I am astounded that this innocent child sees anything of God in me.  It does make me wish to be better at being Godly in all that I do.  I will find a way to explain to her that I am not God.  My hope is that she merely sees my kindness as a reflection of God and sees him in me.  Either way, her belief that he is there is what gives me pause.  There is not hesitation.  There is no doubt.  “A child shall lead 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."

Throwing Stones – When You Are Wrong

Greetings Dear Reader,

I have a friend who once told me that when he realizes that he is wrong during an argument that he chooses another area where he is right to argue about or he brings up another area where his spouse is wrong.  He has since gotten some good counseling and does not do this anymore.  He realized that when he felt he was losing that he needed to do damage to salve his pride.

Why do we feel the need to damage those we love just to escape from being wrong?  We say hurtful things. We act in harmful ways.  We trade the opportunity to be humble and honest for the brief respite of prideful damage.  If we play back the tape in our mind of what we say it is obvious that we have thrown stones when we should be handing out grace.

When I am wrong I need to be humble and contrite.  I need to submit my pride to the mercy and grace of others.  Even my anger at my own failures is not what I should pursue.  I must see the damage I have done when I am wrong and show love to the other person.  What needs have I created in them that I can meet?  What should I do to mend the damage I have done by my original wrong?

If I do not see that grace is the path to take when I am wrong then I will not create peace with others.  A series of failures in this area can lead to permanent rifts between people.  This is not how we are supposed to treat 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."

Throwing Stones – When You Are Right

Greetings Dear Reader,

When someone else discovers that I am right about something there is a moment of power.  There is a moment when I have a choice to make.  How am I going to respond to being right.  I know that at times I use that moment to whittle down the person who disagreed with me.  This is always wrong.

When I am right I have the opportunity to hand out grace and kindness instead of throwing stones.  I can be humble and respectful.  This is the best thing to do when I am in the position of being right.

Too often our culture uses being right to belittle and dominate those in the wrong.  It damages relationships to do this.  As a Christ follower I am to be humble.  I am to act in a way that shows respect and love.  I am not to quarrel. 

When I am right I have no reason to throw stones and every reason to pass out as much grace as possible.

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 you are Serving

Greetings Dear Reader,

I have a friend who will be the first to volunteer for things when someone asks for assistance.  He then will complain about what he is doing the entire time he is doing it.  He does the work but hurls insults and epithets throughout the entire time.

We all have to serve others in some way.  Whether it is family, work, government, or friends we serve in some way.  Since I believe that God is sovereign I believe that we all serve his purpose whether we acknowledge it or not.

It is so easy to hurl stones at those we serve behind their backs.  We can complain, malign, and be abusive about those we serve and they never hear it.  This does not make it any less wrong.  We seem to have lost the ability to show respect even when we disagree.

The truth is we are going to serve someone.  If we do it with a graceful heart it is much easier to do so.  I must remind myself of this at times.  When I know that I know best and “management” seems to disagree, then I must adopt a graceful attitude and serve with all my heart. 

When I choose to serve someone else I must assure that the focus of my heart is dealing out grace.  When I must serve because of the law or my position the truth is no different.  It is in this type of service that great beauty is found.  I must not only serve in grace but must give my best.

You Gotta Serve Somebody – Bob Dylan

You may be an ambassador to England or France

You may like to gamble, you might like to dance

You may be the heavyweight champion of the world

You may be a socialite with a long string of pearls

But you’re gonna have to serve somebody, yes indeed

You’re gonna have to serve somebody

Well, it may be the devil or it may be the Lord

But you’re gonna have to serve somebody

You might be a rock ’n’ roll addict prancing on the stage

You might have drugs at your command, women in a cage

You may be a businessman or some high-degree thief

They may call you Doctor or they may call you Chief

But you’re gonna have to serve somebody, yes indeed

You’re gonna have to serve somebody

Well, it may be the devil or it may be the Lord

But you’re gonna have to serve somebody

You may be a state trooper, you might be a young Turk

You may be the head of some big TV network

You may be rich or poor, you may be blind or lame

You may be living in another country under another name

But you’re gonna have to serve somebody, yes indeed

You’re gonna have to serve somebody

Well, it may be the devil or it may be the Lord

But you’re gonna have to serve somebody

You may be a construction worker working on a home

You may be living in a mansion or you might live in a dome

You might own guns and you might even own tanks

You might be somebody’s landlord, you might even own banks

But you’re gonna have to serve somebody, yes indeed

You’re gonna have to serve somebody

Well, it may be the devil or it may be the Lord

But you’re gonna have to serve somebody

You may be a preacher with your spiritual pride

You may be a city councilman taking bribes on the side

You may be workin’ in a barbershop, you may know how to cut hair

You may be somebody’s mistress, may be somebody’s heir

But you’re gonna have to serve somebody, yes indeed

You’re gonna have to serve somebody

Well, it may be the devil or it may be the Lord

But you’re gonna have to serve somebody

Might like to wear cotton, might like to wear silk

Might like to drink whiskey, might like to drink milk

You might like to eat caviar, you might like to eat bread

You may be sleeping on the floor, sleeping in a king-sized bed

But you’re gonna have to serve somebody, yes indeed

You’re gonna have to serve somebody

Well, it may be the devil or it may be the Lord

But you’re gonna have to serve somebody

You may call me Terry, you may call me Timmy

You may call me Bobby, you may call me Zimmy

You may call me R.J., you may call me Ray

You may call me anything but no matter what you say

You’re gonna have to serve somebody, yes indeed

You’re gonna have to serve somebody

Well, it may be the devil or it may be the Lord

But you’re gonna have to serve somebody

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."