A Season of Gratitude – Civil Servants

Greetings Dear Reader,

Yesterday on my way to a meeting I saw a driver yelling at a Parking Enforcement Officer.  It has been oddly warm for November so my window was down.  I heard the driver yell, “I was only over by half an hour.  You did not have to write me a ticket.”  This was followed by a string of expletives which I would not use on anyone. 

I wonder how often we turn our anger at civil servants when the error is ours?   As I drove by I prayed for the Parking Officer.  He was doing his thankless and irritating job.  I am thankful that there are rules for parking and that they are enforced.  Were they not parking downtown would be more of a nightmare.

I am also thankful for those who work in civil service as police officers, firefighters, and paramedics.    My Brother Ian is a paramedic.  I have dear friends who work in these professions.  I hear so many stories regarding the disrespect and abuse they take just for serving us. 

I am thankful that we live in a society where for the most part those who do this work are good people serving the greater good.  It takes little effort to say thank you and show gratitude when we encounter them.  Today my wish is that we all take a moment to pray for them, appreciate them, and thank them Dear Reader.

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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A Season of Gratitude - Food

Greetings Dear Reader,

I love to cook, serve, and eat good food.  I live in a town where variety is as plenteous as one could wish.  Almost every world cosine is available.  I also have a very full larder.  I am blessed with the ability to cook and can easily prepare what I need daily.

In being thankful for food I cannot in good conscience neglect the problem of hunger.   It troubles me greatly that we do not coordinate better to end hunger in our communities.  We could.  Some of our laws make it difficult.  The problem is sometimes ignored.   We often do not realize how many people are hungry.

As we move toward a holiday that we celebrate with an abundance of food I am thankful for what I have.  I also will do things to mitigate hunger where I can.  My wish would be that everyone who can help would.   I think so many common ills would dissipate were we to do this.

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 ͡°)

A Season of Gratitude - Giving

Greetings Dear Reader,

If this sounds odd to you, that I am thankful for giving, then I will try to explain.   I find great joy in treating others well.  I gain great peace from knowing I have helped others.   I see the needs of others clearly at times and an privileged with I can help. 

Yesterday I encountered my first Salvation Army Bell Ringer.   Gratitude for the thousands of people who will donate time and effort to standing by a kettle and ringing a bell rose up in me.  This organization does so much good. 

So many other aspects of giving are satisfying.   Part of giving is managing expectations.  I must assure that I do not take this for granted.  As a Christ follower, I am obligated to look for opportunities to be generous and kind.   I am required to give.  I am entrusted with the care of others.

If I am not giving to the needs of others then I am not fulling my obligation.   If I view as only an obligation then I am not getting the point.   It is supposed to be joyful for me to give.  It is supposed to come from the abundance of my love for the Father and for people.  

It is out of this that proceeds my desire to give.  It is out of wanting to share goodness and kindness with others that I express my gratitude to be allowed to give.  In a world where getting is a primary value those who give from the heart will stand out.  I am thankful for the providence and privilege. 

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 ͡°)

A Season of Gratitude – Medical Care

Greetings Dear Reader,

As the fervor over the politics shifts from counter-punching to riots and blame-storming I wonder what will happen with healthcare in country.   I do not think that the current solution is the solicitor.  I do think that we should have a solution. 

My work provides me with healthcare.  It troubles me greatly that anyone thinks that a universal healthcare solution is a bad idea.  There are countries where it works.  There is a genuine need.  To speak against it is to lack compassion.

This does not mean that I am against also reforming the current medial system in our country.  It is out of control and things are too expensive.   Were the fat to be cut away there might be enough surplus to provide for the needs of others.  

Today, however, I am thankful for the medical care that I have and want it for everyone.   I cannot say that I follow Christ and that I want less for anyone.   I cannot claim to love others and deny them healthcare.   Their needs are more important than my excess.   Their lives are more sacred than my toys and games.

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 ͡°)

A Season of Gratitude - Coffee

Greetings Dear Reader,

In the vast sea of things for which I am thankful coffee is near the center.  I used to consume much more than necessary or healthy.  Coffee and I have since gained a better respect for each other. 

It is still so rich to me; that first sip in the morning.  Since I have obtained a respectful relationship with coffee I can taste, feel, and enjoy that first moment.   It evokes so much in me.

I remember Saturday morning breakfasts with my Grandfather and him letting me have coffee milk (a coffee cup filled with milk and a splash of coffee).   That first sip in the morning can transport me back to that time.  It sometimes calls to mind afternoon coffee with former colleagues. 

I no longer make coffee my priority but I am still very thankful for 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 ͡°)

A Season of Gratitude - Technology

Greetings Dear Reader,

Sometimes I forget how much the world has changed relative to technology.  In 1973 my parents paid $80 for a calculator that would add, subtract, multiply, and divide.  It also would retain a single number in memory for later inclusion in a problem.  They bought this because it was required for my schooling.   It was the size of a smart phone and twice as thick.  It used four AA batteries and weighted about ninety pounds.

Today my smart phone has a world class graphing calculator app that was free.  It bugs me once a month to upgrade to even more features that I do not understand.  I use this virtual calculator almost daily for figuring things on the go. 

In 1985 I got my first PC.  It had 16k of RAM and two floppy drives.  Today I write this on a machine running an Intel Core i7 with 36 gigs of RAM and 2 internal and 30 attached terabytes of storage.  My aforementioned smart phone has 2 million times the storage that my first PC had.  Yes I used the aforementioned free calculator too calculate the difference.

I have access to the knowledgebase of the world through an internet that is fast, reliable, and powerful.   I can communicate with people all over the globe with a few keystrokes.  I am taught, entertained, and given great convince because of technology.

I must also remember that with great power comes great responsibility.  I am accountable for all that is available to me and how I use it.  I am thankful for the tools and convenience of technology.   I cannot imagine doing all of this with stone knives and bearskins. 

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 ͡°)

Second Thoughts – On Burning Flags - Freedom Never Cries

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 get that there are people unhappy with the election results from Tuesday.  I understand that we have waned in our capacity as a society to be “good losers”.  I even understand that on both sides of the political spectrum there are extremes.  I am, however, ashamed of the behavior of some of those “protesting” the outcome of the election.

I did not want this man to be president.  I cannot support his views on some things.  That, however, is not a good reason to be violent, harsh, or even a poor loser.  I realize there is fear over what may happen.  I also realize that acting out of fear is rarely wise.  It broke my heart to hear my friend Penny lament what she was seeing.   It gave me tears to think of the veterans who have lost so much to protect what the United States stands for at its foundation.

The Washing Post reported that students at American University burned the American Flag in protest of the result of our democratic process.   Is there anyone out there who sees how useless and dishonorable this is.  That flag covers so many things.  It is the sacred symbol of honor draped over the casket of every solider that dies protecting your freedom to burn it.  It is the symbol of a land that does stand for freedom and liberty. 

We may have issues.  We do have things to fix.   Hatred and anger on either side will not heal anything.  We could band together and demand that all the problems in the bureaucracy of government be solved.   We could decide to be good to each other no matter what our politics or social views. 

Pulling a man out of his car and beating him because he voted for someone dishonors everything we believe about freedom.  Disrespecting anyone for politics is foolishness.  We could spend our energy working for the needs of those around us.  We could fight the fear and potential danger by remembering that the Government serves us and hold it accountable to do so. 

Instead I see people acting as if they are entitled to bad behavior because they are afraid or angry.  If we are to rise above this turmoil, we need to be good to each other.  Tolerance needs to be an action of grace and kindness and not a political viewpoint.  Our president, no matter who he is, would have to listen to the people were they to unite and fight for the things with matter instead of fighting each other. 

When we burn our own flag we harm our society.  We insult the men and women who give their lives to defend it.  It is legal because we have laws that allow real freedom.  We can protest and even act like petulant children because we are a free society.  Imagine in a true fascist state the consequences of protesting an election.  All things are lawful but all things are not expedient.  

Freedom Never Cries – Five for Fighting

I took a flag to a pawn shop

For a broken guitar

I took a flag to a pawn shop

How much is that guitar

I took a flag to a pawn shop

I got me that guitar

What's a flag in a pawn shop to me?

I saw a man on the TV

In a mask with a gun

A man on the TV

He had a ten year old son

I saw a man on the TV

His son had a gun

And he says that he's coming for me

I never loved the soldier until there was a war

Or thought about tomorrow

Until my baby hit the floor

I only talk to God when somebody's about to die

I never cherished freedom

Freedom never cries

I wrote a song for a dead man

To settle my soul

A song for a dead man

And now I'll never grow old

I wrote a song for a dead man

Now I'm out in the cold

What's a song to a dead man to me?

I never loved the soldier until there was a war

Or thought about tomorrow

Until my baby hit the floor

I only talk to God when somebody's about to die

I never cherished freedom

Freedom never cries

You can cry for her

Die for her

Lay down your life for her

Kiss and wave goodbye to her

Anything at all

You can cry for her

Die for her

Make up your mind to her

Anything at all, oh

There's a baby on the doorstep

Wailing away

There's a baby on the doorstep

Longing for the day

There's a baby on the doorstep

Who'd give his life to take

A flag to a pawn shop

A flag to a pawn shop

May he forget why he is crying some day

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 ͡°)

A Season of Gratitude - Veterans

Greetings Dear Reader,

Whether it is friends like James, Mark, or Emily or it a complete stranger I owe a debt of gratitude that I cannot pay.   So many people have offered to give all so that I could live in a free society.  So many people who came home from service are walking wounded.

It hurts me when fellow citizens neglect this debt.  It saddens me when they choose expressing their feelings by burning the flag or hating our country.  I agree that freedom of expression is vital to any free society.  I also think that one must consider the consequences of how one uses that expression.

We do not do enough for our military veterans.  We do not honor them enough.  We do not care for them enough.  We do not live responsibly enough with the freedom they provide.  These common men and women leave behind family and home to secure family and home for all of us. 

In this season of gratitude I wish to express a deep thank you to all who have put it all at risk so that I am free.  I honor you and I respect you.  It is my intent to live a life worthy of the price so many have paid.  Thank you is not enough.

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 ͡°)

A Season of Gratitude – Our Government

Greetings Dear Reader,

It is obvious that those who govern us have problems.  It is clear that they are not as much the selfless servants that they should be.  We do not get representation of our needs.  There is too much attention to money and not enough to real social issues.

With all of that I am still thankful for the government we have.   It is composed of humans who choose to serve in leading our nation.  I am required to pray for them.  I am expected to respect them even when they act disrespectfully.

The election season was filled with name calling, slander, and hatred.  We are better than that.  We are able to do better than that.  We must work together to assure that we demand the best of our leadership.   In doing that we must also be thankful that we have people willing to do what seems a thankless job.

It is vital that I remain prayerfully thankful for those who serve at every level of government.   Since it is the Father who raises up leaders and deposes them I can pray for them knowing that God will have his way.

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 ͡°)

A Season of Gratitude – Sovereignty

Greetings Dear Reader,

My Son, Maxim worked hard this political season for the results he wanted.  My Brother worked hard for the outcome he desired and is disappointed.   I can see my friends both weeping and celebrating on social media.

Today I am thankful that even though we cast our votes it is God who appoints leaders.  It is God who takes them down.  People who share my faith know this.  I hope that today they remember it and live it.

Those who cheer the outcome must do so with humility, kindness, and grace.  Those who mourn must do so believing that the Father knows what he is doing.  I read how devastated my friend Mary was.   I prayed for her.  I saw how hurt my friend Kelly is.  I offer my thoughts to comfort her.

You see it not who is in the White House that matters.  It is what we do in response to it.  I do not blame or condemn anyone.  I wrote weeks ago that I thought neither candidate was fit to represent us.  I am saddened that we have not grown beyond our differences to be a people who care for the needs of others over our own agendas.

I remind all of my friends of this, “… if my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves, pray, search for me, and turn from their evil ways, then I will hear their prayer from heaven, forgive their sins, and heal their country.”

Today I am thankful for the truth that the Father has all things in hand.   He will use this and all things that unfold to bring things back to good.  Be good to each other Dear Reader.  Be kind and tenderhearted. 

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 ͡°)