How Can You Know Me - Not by my Demands

Greetings Dear Reader,

If you read this BLOG regularly you know that I want everyone to have affordable competent healthcare.  I am not sure we are going about it the right way.  A bad start, however, is better than nothing. 

It lacks compassion to fight against healthcare without a plan to care for health.  Worse still there are those who wish to be seen as Christ followers who place heavy demands on those seeking to follow Christ.  The demands are often designed to get humans to change behavior in order to pursue Christ. 

So many other demands are placed on following.  One will be told how much to give, what to wear, even who to hate.  There are churches that extort their congregations for their own purposes.  This is the worst form of taking the name of the Lord in vain.

Other demands say that one must “clean up” one’s life before Jesus wall accept him or her.  This is like saying that you have to get better before you can see the doctor.  It is not the place of man to think he can merit God’s favor.  It is given freely through the death of Christ.  We are loved and accepted unconditionally. 

When we place any conditions on following Christ other than those he places on following we are wrong.  Following begins with faith.  Following in faith is the only way to follow.  One does not have to “do” anything to be “good enough” to follow Christ. 

Once one accepts the challenge to follow Christ he will ask us to change.  It is never, however, to gain acceptance.  It is also anyone else’s prerogative to tell you how one has to be to follow Christ.   I will talk about what  a Christ follower looks like but it is not my place Dear Reader to tell you what you have to do to be a “:good Christian.” 

Hold those of us who claim to follow accountable.  If we add any conditions to following other than following in faith we are misleading you.  If we ask to be known by our demands and practices then know that we are putting more baggage in the Gospel than Christ does.

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.”

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How Can You Know Me – Not by my Condemnation

Greetings Dear Reader,

Too often I see those who are supposed to represent Christ condemning those with whom they find fault or disagree.  It is so easy to see the faults of others and be blind to my own.  It is too easy to condemn when we should be remembering how Christ felt about those who need h im.

When questioned about keeping questionable company Jesus responded that it is the sick that need a physician.  He insisted that our place was caring tor the needs of others.  He measures us by the sick, hungry, and needy. 

It does not matter what the issue is.  You can fill in your pet cause Dear Reader.  When we land on the side of condemnation and judgment we become ineffective.  We tread on the Gospel we are supposed to live.  We hurt the name of Jesus and his message.

I am not saying that those who do these things do not have faith.  I am saying that they are not showing the face of Christ as he wishes it shown.  The only people we see Jesus rail against are the religious leaders who burdened the people instead of caring for them.

I am not to be known by my condemnation and judgment.  I am not to forget that I come to Christ with the same needs as everyone.  No matter how closely I follow I will not ever follow closely enough to justify condemning anyone else. 

Jesus Friend of Sinners – Casting Crowns

Jesus, friend of sinners, we have strayed so far away

We cut down people in your name but the sword was never ours to swing

Jesus, friend of sinners, the truth's become so hard to see

The world is on their way to You but they're tripping over me

Always looking around but never looking up I'm so double minded

A plank eyed saint with dirty hands and a heart divided

Oh Jesus, friend of sinners

Open our eyes to the world at the end of our pointing fingers

Let our hearts be led by mercy

Help us reach with open hearts and open doors

Oh Jesus, friend of sinners, break our hearts for what breaks yours

Yeah...

Jesus, friend of sinners, the one who's writing in the sand

Make the righteous turn away and the stones fall from their hands

Help us to remember we are all the least of these

Let the memory of Your mercy bring Your people to their knees

No one knows what we're for only against when we judge the wounded

What if we put down our signs crossed over the lines and loved like You did

Oh Jesus, friend of sinners

Open our eyes to world at the end of our pointing fingers

Let our hearts be led by mercy

Help us reach with open hearts and open doors

Oh Jesus, friend of sinners, break our hearts for what breaks yours

You love every lost cause; you reach for the outcast

For the leper and the lame; they're the reason that You came

Lord I was that lost cause and I was the outcast

But you died for sinners just like me, a grateful leper at Your feet

'Cause You are good, You are good and Your love endures forever

You are good, You are good and Your love endures forever

You are good, You are good and Your love endures forever

You are good, You are good and Your love endures forever

Oh Jesus, friend of sinners

Open our eyes to world at the end of our pointing fingers

Let our hearts be led by mercy

Help us reach with open hearts and open doors

Oh Jesus, friend of sinners, break our hearts for what breaks Yours

And I was the lost cause and I was the outcast

Yeah...

You died for sinners just like me, a grateful leper at Your feet

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.”

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How Can You Know Me – Opening Thoughts

Greetings Dear Reader,

Anyone who spends a moment or two with me or my writing will know that I strive to be a follower of Jesus Christ.  I do not any longer call myself a “Christian”: because I feel the term no longer communicates.  I am not ashamed of Christ but I am often ashamed of how those claiming to be Christians act.

So how can you know if we are genuine?  How can others recognize that I am sincere in my faith and following?   I usually write for my own benefit and hope that you glean something you can use Dear Reader.  Since there is need, I am hoping that I can give you some filters to recognize the followers from the fakers. 

This also serves to remind me what I must be in order to recognizable as a follower of Jesus.  I must live by standards that reflect who Christ is for everyone.  There are things that Christ followers are not and I must not be those things.  The journey requires that I leave some things behind.  Most of them are too burdensome to carry anyway.

I am going to walk through a few things that should serve as a filter for us all.  If you see someone claiming to be a follower of Jesus it is proper for you to measure him by this standard.  We are not perfect.  Doing some of the things I will ponder does not mean that we are not following but it may mean we have lost the path.

Claiming to follow Christ is volunteering to be measured by a standard.  It is my responsibility to submit to that even when it is difficult or undesirable.  It is in these things that we test and grow our faith.  It is in doing what is right even when it hurts that we find our healing.  Walk with me if you wish.  Ask questions and tell me your thoughts.  Your company on the journey is one of the most precious things I have Dear Reader.

Who Am I – Casting Crowns

Who am I, that the lord of all the earth

Would care to know my name

Would care to feel my hurt?

Who am I, that the bright and morning star

Would choose to light the way

For my ever wandering heart?

Not because of who I am

But because of what you've done

Not because of what I've done

But because of who you are

I am a flower quickly fading

Here today and gone tomorrow

A wave tossed in the ocean

A vapor in the wind

Still you hear me when I'm calling

Lord, you catch me when I'm falling

And you've told me who I am

I am yours

Who am I, that the eyes that see my sin

Would look on me with love

And watch me rise again?

Who am I, that the voice that calmed the sea

Would call out through the rain

And calm the storm in me?

Not because of who I am

But because of what you've done

Not because of what I've done

But because of who you are

I am a flower quickly fading

Here today and gone tomorrow

A wave tossed in the ocean

A vapor in the wind

Still you hear me when I'm calling

Lord, you catch me when I'm falling

And you've told me who I am

I am yours

Not because of who I am

But because of what you've done

Not because of what I've done

But because of who you are

I am a flower quickly fading

Here today and gone tomorrow

A wave tossed in the ocean

A vapor in the wind

Still you hear me when I'm calling

Lord, you catch me when I'm falling

And you've told me who I am

I am yours

I am yours

Whom shall I fear?

Whom shall I fear?

'Cause I am yours

I am yours

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.”

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Second Thoughts – Star Trek Beyond Commentary (SPOILERS)

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.

I have heard both sides of the discussion on this film.  There seems to be no middle ground.  My younger Son, Bezel said, “It is not just a great Star Trek film.  It is a great film.”  Another friend hated it.  He said it was too much like the original series.

I loved the film.  It keeps its promise to take us beyond in ways I value.  It also was a good film on its own merits. 

Beyond the Five Year Mission:

We see Kirk and crew at a crossroads.  It is after the five year mission.  It is beyond the commitment and the team is strong and loyal. The three have become good friends; family.  The crew is loyal.  There are five years’ worth of logs, episodes, and stories.  Kirk makes me laugh when he says it feels “episodic.”  The federation is growing faster than it did in the other time line.

Beyond the Original Choices:

Kirk refuses the Admiral’s Chair.  He stays with his ship.  The original words of the original Kirk become unnecessary.  Yet the hope in them is fulfilled “Don’t let them promote you.”  The new Kirk stays with his ship even though he still must get a new one.

Spock also stays.  He does not go to New Vulcan.  He does not pursue being more Vulcan. In fact he becomes more human (More on that later).  He chooses to become more of a friend openly.  He chooses to use colorful metaphors sooner.  He communicates the loss he feels when his other self dies.  He is both a Vulcan and one of us. 

Beyond the Original Cast:

The new cast pays such beautiful homage to those who have been left behind.  They love and respect the characters and the actors without being cheesy or ham handed about it.  They do such a beautiful job of closing the loop on that which I have loved since I was a wee lad. 

Another goodbye is the sad and painful one we bid to Anton Yelchin.  Some of his lines in the film become so cryptic because he is dead.  I am not sure how they will handle it in the films but I know that the loss will be felt for quite some time.

Star Trek is part of me.  It is part of the best part of me. I have a Spock and Bones in my life.  I am seeking for some other things.  My mission is ongoing.  I am still trying to turn death into a fighting chance to live.

I have this poster and it is still true, almost everything I needed to know I learned from Star Trek:

• Seek out new life and new civilizations
• Non-interference is the prime directive
• Keep your phaser set on stun
• Humans are highly illogical
• There is no such things as a Vulcan Death Grip
• Live long and prosper
• Having is not so pleasing as wanting; it is highly illogical, but often true
• Infinite Diversity in Infinite Combinations
• Tribbles hate Klingons (and Klingons hate tribbles)
• Enemies are often invisible- like Klingons they can be cloaked
• Don't put all your ranking officers in one shuttle craft
• When your logic fails, trust a hunch
• Insufficient data does not compute
• If it can't be fixed, just ask Scotty
• Even on our own world, sometimes we are alien
• When going out into the Universe, remember: "Boldly go where no one has gone before"

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.”

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Pieces of Time – Closing Thoughts

Greetings Dear Reader,

I have a beautiful and very real hour glass.  I have timed it carefully and it seems to drain in fifty-nine minutes and fifty-nine seconds.  Static resistance seems to hold back a seconds worth of sand.  The hour glass both practically and metaphorically is important in my life. 

The time I give to writing this blog serves the purpose to purpose my time.  I am not just trying to be clever there.  I share it in hopes that others will ask questions, share thoughts, and perhaps gain a grain or two of truth.  Mostly it is to measure out the grains of time in a way that is purposeful.

Terry Pratchett uses the symbol of the hour glass as his personification of death’s method of measuring lives.  I highly recommend his books.  That metaphor resonates so well with me.  I realize so clearly that there are more grains in the bottom of my hour glass than in the top.  The sand will keep falling no matter what I do with the time.

Each grain, each piece of time matters.  I see more clearly how precious they are.  I do not yet get to use each grain in the way I wish but I am growing closer.  Even when the uses of my pieces of time are not what I wish I am still obligated to use them well.  Even when others redirect their pieces of time in ways that take them out of my sphere I am obligated to love and care for them.  I can only use the time I am given. 

“Time is the crucible in which we burn.”   I begin to feel time gaining on me.  I begin to see that each grain falls at constant unrelenting pace.  Caught in the slipstream I must direct my flight through time in a way that shows that I am seeking Christ in every moment.  Since Jesus is both eternal and omnipresent there is no moment where he is not there waiting for me to follow.  It is my obligation to give each moment he gives me back to him.  Each piece of time must be used in following as closely as I can.  If I can do this then everything else will work itself out as it should. 

Closing Time – Semisonic

Closing time: Open all the doors and let you out into the world

Closing time: Turn the lights up over every boy and every girl.

Closing time: One last call for alcohol so finish your whiskey or beer.

Closing time: You don't have to go home but you can't stay here.

I know who I want to take me home.

I know who I want to take me home.

I know who I want to take me home.

Take me home

Closing time: Time for you to go out to the places you will be from.

Closing time: This room won't be open 'til your brothers or you sisters come.

So gather up your jackets, and move it to the exits,

I hope you have found a friend.

Closing time: Every new beginning comes from some other beginning's end.

Yeah, I know who I want to take me home.

I know who I want to take me home.

I know who I want to take me home.

Take me home

Closing time: Time for you to go out to the places you will be from

I know who I want to take me home.

I know who I want to take me home.

I know who I want to take me home.

Take me home

I know who I want to take me home.

I know who I want to take me home.

I know who I want to take me home.

Take me home

Closing time: Every new beginning comes from some other beginning's end

Wishing you joy in the journey,

Aramis Thorn

Mat 13:52 So Jesus said to them, "That is why every writer who has become a disciple of Christ’s rule of the universe is like a home owner. He liberally hands out new and old things from his great treasure store.”

(͡° ͜ʖ ͡°)

Pieces of Time – Friends and Family

Greetings Dear Reader,

These may be some of the most precious pieces of time to me.  This summer my Son and Grandsons have been coming over for a swim and dinner.  The excitement in those small boys over something so simple brings me great joy. 

There are friends with whom I have good conversation.  There is family that I cherish moments with when I can get them.  It is these pieces of time that create memories.  It is these moments that give us the bonds that endure the hard pieces of time.

It is in those moments that I find the opportunity to be more than self-serving and solitary.  A simple dinner or a good conversation can remind me why Jesus wants us to love everyone.  It is in wanting to be better for others in those pieces of time that I find the courage to face the solitary pieces.

Everyone matters.  Everyone has needs.  One never knows when a kind word or simple conversation can make a difference.   Perhaps the moments when we pay attention to the needs of others are the best.  We can make a difference if we are vigilant.

We also need to realize that others may not do the same for us.  We must offer our pieces of time without expectation.  It is in these moments of being a true friend of family member that we can find the richness that is in our fellow travelers.  The journey can be so much better if we use our pieces of time to care for 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.”

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Pieces of Time – Leisure Time

Greetings Dear Reader,

We buy our leisure time with the pieces of time we trade for money.  I worked through some thoughts on leisure pursuits some months ago.  I am being more active and moving out of some of my zones of complacency (not really comfortable).   What I am pondering today is that I use my leisure time, that is purchased at a high price, for things that recreate me.

I see so many people who refuse to enjoy life because they get caught up in the barrenness of busyness.  I hear all the time people I care about concerned that their time away from work is so filled with other things.  They seem dissatisfied by those things.  Leisure time is meant to restore and recreate us.

This means that the pieces of time I give to leisure pursuits must be that which truly rebuilds me.  I must rest when I need rest.  I must adventure when I need adventure.  It comes down to listening to what my heart tells me I need.  It is proper to follow Christ in leisure pursuits.  I must as with all my time make the most of 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.”

(͡° ͜ʖ ͡°)

Pieces of Time – Working A Job

Greetings Dear Reader,

I have had jobs I hated and jobs I loved.  Teaching was the best outside job I ever loved.  I love my current job as well.  There were others jobs that I hated.  It was hard to go to those jobs and give my pieces of time. 

It is not just the particular job.  It is the people for who one works.  It is the people with whom one works as well.  Any working part of the journey can be made easier when one works with good people or for a good cause.

So many of us work jobs we hate or with people we dislike.   The jobs we hate part is something we can control.  We could truly decide to pursue our best destinies.  We could choose to change our careers to that which inspires us.  There is always a way to change this if we are willing to do the work and take the risk.

We have less control over those for whom or with whom we work.  My approach is to be good to everyone.  Even those who are hard to work with are worthy of love and kindness.  The opportunity at my job is to do all that I can to evidence the love of Christ in every moment. 

Until I can only write for a living I must work another job.  It is also good for me to have the human interaction that is not there in the isolation of writing.  All that I do at my job is an opportunity to make a difference in the lives of others.  The work I do impacts the needs of those around me.  The way in which I do it impacts my coworkers.

The job I currently have is a blessing.  I work with good people.  I have good leadership.  I am allowed to help others through my work.  The life I trade for money at this job is worth it.  Until it is time for the next thing I am content.  I wish the same for you Dear Reader.  I wish for you to find the path that fulfills you.  Do not chase money.  It is a tool not an end.

My Grandfather used to always say, “Do what you love and the money will come.”  A world where we all do that could be a very peaceful place.

Wishing you joy in the journey,

Aramis Thorn

Pieces of Time - Writing

Greetings Dear Reader,

I am driven to write.  The words that flow through my mind must escape somehow.  Currently they flow through my fingers.  I would that they could go directly from my mind to the page but that is not yet possible.  I give pieces of time to writing so that I do not go mad.

It is also something that I love.  At the center of my being there lives a story teller and a teacher.  Writing allows me to do both.  It also helps me to learn.  I must read to write.  If I do not I am trying to drink from a dried up well.  This helps greatly in learning new things. 

My commitment is to write every day.  I give some of my life to writing daily.  These pieces of time serve me even if I have not yet realized the benefit from them I wish.  I do this because it is what recreates me.

You Dear Reader are one of the reasons I write.  If you gain some small benefit from my work then I am pleased.  It is in your thoughts and questions I find some of my motivation.  It is in your gaining something that makes your day a little better that I find reward.

I also write because I refuse to ignore the gifts I have been given.  Part of following Christ is using what he provides for me with all my heart.  So I face the blank page daily to offer up some pieces of life. 

Wishing you joy in the journey,

Aramis Thorn

Mat 13:52 So Jesus said to them, "That is why every writer who has become a disciple of Christ’s rule of the universe is like a home owner. He liberally hands out new and old things from his great treasure store.”

(͡° ͜ʖ ͡°)

Pieces of Time – Opening Thoughts

Greetings Dear Reader,

I hate (yes that is a strong word) money.  Loving it leads to evil.  The problem is that money is the object we use to conduct transactions for food, shelter, and clothing.  It is what we recognize as our bartering chips.  Money is what we use to buy things.

This system causes us to disconnect from what really happens.  I work at a job.  I perform tasks and in exchange for those tasks I am given money.  The piece of this that we fail to see is that what we really do is this:  Everything we get is bought with pieces of time.  The time I put in at work gives me the object that I use to buy things.  In short, I exchange pieces of my life for things. 

In this mindset I must ask then for what am I exchanging today?  I must consider them that for which I exchange my life.  My physical life is finite.  It has an expiration date that is not given to me.  In light of that it is vital for me to redeem time in a way that makes me worthy of it.

I must ponder that for which I will trade my life.  I must assure that each day is one for which I can retire from having used it well.  I must do this out of joy for life and my love for Christ.  I will spend some time pondering how I use my pieces of time.  If you choose to spend the time with me Dear Reader I hope you offer some questions or insight.  I treasure the time you share with 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.”

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