Thoughts and Questions from Aramis Thorn

10 April 2021

Why Church ~ The House of El

Greetings Dear Reader,

El is a Hebrew word for God. In the Superman comics, Superman or Kal-El is the last son of the house of El. I have written before about the similarities between Superman and Jesus. “The symbol of the house of El means Hope.”

We all need refuge from something. The things that arise in life to challenge us all require community eventually. We must understand what community does for us. We must see that the church done properly creates the community we need.

What I mean by community is something I alluded to a couple of days ago. People go where they get their needs met. They seek out those who understand their challenges and can give them hope. Increasingly, the world needs to know that there is hope.

Because of the things we have already discussed, others do not see hope in the church. There is hope. It takes more work than it should to find it. The cross is supposed to be a beacon of hope drawing others to the love and grace of the Father. It is supposed to be the place where others go to find mercy and reconciliation.

Hope must be extended to those who need Jesus through the church both local and universal. This can only be accomplished through the focus we are to have on love for the Father and each other at the expense of all else. The church must rise above distinctives, differences, and politics to see the needs of humans and use love to meet them.

The church can only reach others if those who believe act like it. We have to be the same symbol of hope through our selfless love and care for others. Over the remainder of this series, I need to ponder what I must be in order to draw others; in order to show that the church can be that beacon of hope. You will not find a perfect church, Dear Reader. Perhaps though we can find a list of things that the church should be in order to be worthy of our time and effort. Remember that we must be will to be these things as well.

For now, we must embrace that the church is necessary and valuable. Then we must work to be the kind of people who can represent it well. We must become the hope others need to find in Jesus. We must be worthy children of the House of El.

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 homeowner. He liberally hands out new and old things from his great treasure store.”
(͡° ͜ʖ ͡°)

Every human story is part of the great story that leads to the Father getting everything back to Good.

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“The symbol of the house of El means Hope.”

09 April 2021

Why Church ~ Whistles and Bells

Greetings Dear Reader,

In the fifth Star Trek movie, Star Trek V: The Final Frontier the ship is taken over by an idealist with a poor understanding of reality. He thinks he is taking the ship to find God. When the entity they find asks them to bring the ship closer so that he may join with it, Captain Kirk asks a very simple question. He inquirers, “What does God need with a Starship?”

The obvious take is that he does not. In the midst of this fiction, I find a salient truth. We seem to think that the things of God require our staging, drama, and design to be effective. We add whistles and bells to the Gospel that I feel in most parts distract from it. Whether it is mood lighting, fancy edifices, or some of the more ridiculous things I have seen, we think that this is what people need to be drawn into the church.

One of my mentors taught me that people go where they get their needs met. People show up where they find love, compassion, and connection. The whistles and bells are not inherently wrong but they are also not needed. Very often, the lights and sirens are a distraction from what is required of us.

When we gather, we are supposed to be loving the Father, learning how to better follow the Son, and caring for each other’s needs. Our love should flow so fully that nothing else is needed. Our interactions need to be more about expressing the Father’s love through kindness, generosity, and reconciliation than about the show we put on to entertain ourselves.

I realize that I have pointed out many things that are wrong. Tomorrow, I will begin to discuss the reasons why I think that the flawed and broken church we have is vital to our communities. You see, Dear Reader, the problems of the church only exist because we allow it. Every flaw we see is something we have accepted or embraced. We are comfortable with holy salesmen selling us the things we want to hear.

There is a design for the church and I wish to ponder how we can make it useful in a world that increasingly needs to understand why. It is my responsibility and yours, Dear Reader. We are the church and accountable for all it does. This collective is the mechanism the Father has chosen for our journey home. We must know why and use that knowledge to pursue the journey with eager feet.

Playing Marbles with Diamonds – Steve Camp

Waking up to a very different world
We got mud on our flag before it’s even been unfurled
Our heroes have fallen and a leader is hard to find
The clock is running out and we’re casting our pearls before swine

There’s a whole lot more than preaching to the choir
Kneeling at the altar and paying our tithe
We’ve been treating God like he’s happiness for hire
We’ve been playing marbles with diamonds

Isn’t it a shame how his name gets thrown around
We pat God on the back like a buddy from out of town
We thank “the man upstairs” for the things people praise us for
We give God the glory but we’re happy to take the award

There’s a whole lot more than raising lots of money
Building our churches and spreading our faith
If faith is just the dice you roll to get lucky
We’ve been playing marbles with diamonds

There are precious things of God
And we must guard them with our lives
Like an unborn baby’s dreams
Like a husband love his wife

May the hope of his returning
May it glorify our faith
As we hold onto his holy word
May the chaff be blown away

Can we ever live up to the things we say we believe
Because the world is watching looking for some honesty
Are we riding down a freeway instead of on a narrow road
We turned a passion for the lost into the business of saving souls

There’s a whole lot more than preaching to the choir
Kneeling at the altar and paying our tithe
We’ve been treating God like he’s happiness for hire
We’ve been playing marbles with diamonds

There’s a whole lot more than raising lots of money
Building our churches and spread
If faith is just the dice you roll to get lucky
We’ve been playing marbles with diamonds.

Wishing you joy in the journey,

Every human story is part of the great story that leads to the Father getting everything back to Good.

What does God need with a fog machine?

08 April 2021

Why Church ~ Social Calendar

Greetings Dear Reader,

Another aspect of the church that troubles me is the level of items that can take up our social calendars. It is not the task or mission of the church to entertain us. This is high up on the list of things against which I measure a local church.

I see many congregations built around social activities and pastimes that only give a nod to the mission of presenting the Gospel of Jesus to others. Please understand that I do not believe that most of those activities are wrong, rather I think that they are good but they are not where the church should employ its resources.

A church I have loved for many years put it this way: “We will not devote a single penny to support or sponsor ball teams, hiking, or book clubs. What we will do is announce them and direct people to the volunteer coordinator for them. We encourage you to gather socially and do fun things. We will not distract from the mission of building our community of believers to do so.”

In understanding the mission of the church, it is to glorify and love the Father by building a community of believers who can reach a community that is lost without Jesus. This is to be done through real service, not plays, games, and banquets. These can serve to draw us closer but and open doors to those seeking. They are not, however, supposed to be our focus.

We need to look at where a church puts its resources and see what it says about priorities. If the money donated for the ministry is going for things to support social activities, it may not be a good thing. This does not mean we abandon the church. It may mean that we ask the questions that lead to an understanding of what matters. It is in the answers that we will discover the heart of that local congregation.

Wishing you joy in the journey,

Every human story is part of the great story that leads to the Father getting everything back to Good.

If your church (not school) requires a fulltime athletic director, you may wish to question your priorities.

07 April 2021

Why Church ~ Social Embracing

Greetings Dear Reader,

There are markers that I use to evaluate a local church and its commitment to love. One of them is if they are expressing love both vertically and horizontally. If a congregation of believers is not loving the Father, then they will not be loving each other well. If I cannot see their love for each other then I do not know how to see their love for the Father.

It takes more time to discover the temperature of their social embracing outside the church walls. If the church is not impacting the community at a social level in a loving way, there are difficulties. The church in general has relegated most of its social responsibility to local and federal government. The social welfare of people is the primary responsibility of believers. There is no honest way around this. Jesus said he knew those who cared for the sick and the hungry; those who visited the captives. His brother, James told us that we must care for widows and orphans and hold to high moral standards.

Nowhere are we told the judge and condemn those who are not this way. Rather, we are required to lovingly restore them to wholeness. If we do not care for our community by embracing its social needs, we cannot expect them to see the depth to which the Father loves them. Further, I must be careful to show that same love to every human I encounter. I must do so in hope that my clouded mirror can reflect a glimpse of Christ for them.

The church cannot say that it is obeying Christ if it is not caring for the community around it. There is never a stopping place. We should be so good at it that other programs should be unnecessary. We should be so committed to it that denominational lines will evaporate as we work together to care for others.

We have failed greatly here and we have much to do to reclaim the reputation that Christ deserves when others see his followers. If you are thinking about the things you do that are good right now, Dear Reader, it is not enough. I do the same thing and must realize that until we are known by our love then we are failing. Until the reports are not about what we hate, but how we help, we are failing. I long to know what you think about this. In a time of social distancing, we must up our impact of social embracing.

Wishing you joy in the journey,

Every human story is part of the great story that leads to the Father getting everything back to Good.

If the church does not embrace the social needs of its community, it is failing.

06 April 2021

Why Church ~ Opening Thoughts

Greetings Dear Reader,

As I watched my early morning Sunday service fill to overflowing, I was both saddened and filled with joy. The sadness was because of the many people who only come to church once or twice a year out of some empty obligation or motivation. The joy was that they came.

The church in our time is needed more than ever but it is also a shadow of what it should be for us. The purpose of the church is still relevant but the way we do it may not be. I realize that some of you who read this regularly do not attend church or see the use for it. I need to think through the reasons I still see value in the local church so that I am doing what I do with purpose.

I invite you to walk with me through this if for no other reason than to understand what the church should be for anyone. It is what the mission of the church is relative to the Gospel and following Christ that matters. If what you see in a church is not about Jesus, then it probably does not belong there.

You will never find a perfect church but from my thoughts and questions, we may be able to build a checklist that helps us find one that is headed in the right direction. I invite you to walk with me and share your own thoughts and questions. For almost two thousand years the church has been charged with caring for people in order to serve the Father. Together, perhaps we can find ways to discover how to better follow Christ and redeemed the houses of the redeemed.

Wishing you joy in the journey,

Every human story is part of the great story that leads to the Father getting everything back to Good.

The church was filled to capacity but still felt so empty.

05 April 2021

Holy Week ~ Easter Monday (Closing Thoughts)

Greetings Dear Reader,

After all is done and dusted regarding the church-going, bonnets, and banquets, what is left? Discounted chocolate bunnies and thoughts of spring break may hold our focus. I have to consider what the resurrection means for me.

The entire year that now stretches out before me is the season of plowing, planting, growing, and harvesting. My half of the globe turns warm whilst the other turns cold. Twice yesterday I pointed out beautiful blooming flowers to people. Both times someone immediately spoke of allergies.

It seems we do the same thing with the resurrection. It gets full attention on the day but then is relegated to the closet for the rest of the year. That does not work if I am going to follow Christ well. It was important enough to Jesus for him to explain that he embodies the resurrection and the life. The resurrection needs to motivate me daily. It needs to be at the center of why I pursue the love of the Father and follow the Son.

It is in the hope that the resurrection brings that I find my purpose for following Jesus. It is the message that his payment was sufficient to give me access to the Father through him by faith. It allows me to live the love he purchased for me. It is a simple equation, Dear Reader, but it requires faith and determination to make it real daily.

As we move on to other thoughts and questions, some challenges already present themselves The entire focus of life is supposed to be on loving the Father. I must think through everything in light of the events of Holy Week and their impact on me. I hope you will join me as we journey together through the things that are ahead. Beyond them lies the realization of the hope of the resurrection.

Wishing you joy in the journey,

Every human story is part of the great story that leads to the Father getting everything back to Good.

If the resurrection does not impact every other day, I am missing the point.

04 April 2021

Holy Week ~ Love Crucified, Arose

Greetings Dear Reader,

We fail to see just how patient God is with us. I would have wiped us out and started over a long time ago. Instead, the Father allows us to reject him. The Spirit permits us to deny his leading. The Son allows us to curse, beat, and kill him. But that was on Friday…

Then love moves. Love asserts itself over death having won our redemption. The cross has been the symbol of Christ-followers for almost two thousand years. I often think that it should be an empty tomb. Were it up to me, I would replace the crosses at the front of our churches with an empty cave with the stone, carefully set off to the right.

Love has made the grave a place of hope. The Son loved us to the point of dying for our transgressions. The Father loved the Son enough to accept his sacrifice as the only one necessary for all of our sin. Then love arose from the hopelessness of the grave. The Man of Sorrows brought us joy. The suffering servant became the King of Kings. Sunday morning saw more soldiers fall down in fear, more shaking earth, and a stone letting life out of the grave.

So, today, Dear Reader, I offer only this: Christ is risen. He is risen indeed. Love has won and we need only seek to love the Father to find our way to all that we need.

Love Crucified Arose – Michael Card

Long ago, He blessed the earth
Born older than the years
And in the stall the cross He saw
Through the first of many tears

A life of homeless wandering
Cast out in sorrow's way
The Shepherd seeking for the lost
His life, the price He paid

Love crucified arose
The risen One in splendor
Jehovah's sole defender
Has won the victory

Love crucified arose
And the grave became a place of hope
For the heart that sin and sorrow broke
Is beating once again

Throughout Your life, You've felt the weight
Of what You'd come to give
To drink for us that crimson cup
So we might really live
At last, the time to love and die
The dark appointed day
That one forsaken moment when
Your Father turned His face away

Love crucified arose
The One who lived and died for me
Was Satan's nail-pierced casualty
Now He's breathing once again

Love crucified arose
And the grave became a place of hope
For the heart that sin and sorrow broke
Is beating once again

Love crucified arose
The risen One in splendor
Jehovah's sole defender
Has won the victory

Love crucified arose
And the grave became a place of hope
For the heart that sin and sorrow broke
Is beating once again

Love crucified arose
The One who lived and died for me
Was Satan's nail-pierced casualty
Now He's breathing once again

Wishing you joy in the journey,

Every human story is part of the great story that leads to the Father getting everything back to Good.

I often think that the symbol of Christ-followers should be an empty tomb.

03 April 2021

Holy Week ~ The Character of Love

Greetings Dear Reader,

Whilst we wait, we need to consider the character of what we kill when we choose not to love. Paul gives us a clear understanding of this. “Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.” (1 Corinthians 13:4-7)

If I read through this list, I find ways in which I may be more loving. If I choose to love others by this list, I can show the Father my love for him. Today, I am brief because I want to devote my time to silence and prayer. I want to ponder the ways in which I can be a better follower of the Son, Dear Reader. You are welcome to journey with me.

Wishing you joy in the journey,

Every human story is part of the great story that leads to the Father getting everything back to Good.

Love has character and we all violate it at times.

02 April 2021

Holy Week ~ Love Dies for You

Greetings Dear Reader,

It is important to remember that Jesus ate dinner last night. It is vital to recall that when they arrested him, they got a glimpse of his power. Everyone at the outset knows that his silence and inaction are by choice.

Judas expected him to act like God. The apostles at first think to fight but when Jesus says no, they turn to flight. Jesus did not receive meals at the hand of his captors. He did not sleep. Between the trials before the Jews, Herod, and Pilate he dined on beatings and insults. The long day will end in his condemnation by those he loves.

Remember there are two deaths today. Both men will hang from a tree. One because his plans failed and his friend is going to die. The other, Jesus, because love dies for the object of its love. In this case, love dies for each of us.

Jesus tried to teach us to love each other at any cost. We killed him for it. Today marks the day when love seems to have lost. Jesus died for us so that we might be reconciled to the Father through faith. He gave his life so that his love could be seen when he had the power to destroy us with a thought.

Love seems dead to the followers of Jesus right now. The darkness descends on this Sabbath eve with no joy or hope. So, Dear Reader, we wait. We wait.

Wishing you joy in the journey,

Every human story is part of the great story that leads to the Father getting everything back to Good.

When you wonder what killed love; we did.

01 April 2021

Holy Week ~ Love Dies at Dinner

Greetings Dear Reader,

I am not sure we get the entire picture of the Passover of Maundy Thursday. Except for Jesus and perhaps Judas, there is a celebratory mood. The disciples have not believed that their leader is going to die.

They are concerned about the kingdom insomuch as it fits their view of how things will be. They are arguing over who will be the greatest. They are focused on themselves instead of seeing that they will go through fear, horror, and cowardice over the next three days. They celebrate the Passover lamb never understanding that God has provided himself a Lamb.

Death is there but they do not see it. Like Peter’s impending denial they all kill the opportunity to love Jesus by denying what is really happening. Judas is about to put his kingdom plan in motion. They are all focused on power and glory in some way. None of them sees the Man of Sorrows in his sorrow at what is coming. Once the words are spoken, the meal is consumed, and the wine is gone, they retire to the garden.

In Eden, the first deaths occurred as Adam killed love for the sake of pride and vanity. So many millenniums ago Abel’s blood had cried out for justice from the ground and God had answered. Tonight drops of blood from the face of Christ touch the ground in another garden and the entire creation knows that the vast sea of lovelessness is about to deluge a hill outside of Jerusalem. God’s blood in the garden is the down payment of what is to come tomorrow.

For now, Dear Reader, our Jesus prays alone. He asks the Father if there is another way. He knows there is not and he is already in the worst of the pain. He has tried for three years to get people to see that love is the answer to all ills both between them and the Father and between each other. Instead of loving him, we will kill him. We will toss love away and affix it to a cross. That, however, is tomorrow. Tonight, we will take a nap whilst Jesus bleeds.

Wishing you joy in the journey,

Every human story is part of the great story that leads to the Father getting everything back to Good.

A Passover to End All Passovers

Thoughts and Questions from Aramis Thorn

10 April 2021

Why Church ~ The House of El

09 April 2021

Why Church ~ Whistles and Bells

08 April 2021

Why Church ~ Social Calendar

07 April 2021

Why Church ~ Social Embracing

06 April 2021

Why Church ~ Opening Thoughts

05 April 2021

Holy Week ~ Easter Monday (Closing Thoughts)

04 April 2021

Holy Week ~ Love Crucified, Arose

03 April 2021

Holy Week ~ The Character of Love

02 April 2021

Holy Week ~ Love Dies for You

01 April 2021

Holy Week ~ Love Dies at Dinner

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