A Christian Nation - Our Founding Fathers

Greetings Dear Reader,

I think that as I ponder this aspect of a “Christian Nation” it brings me to place where everyone needs a reality check.  I went to elementary school in the sixties and early seventies.  Patriotism was a big part of the given in the curriculum.  I witnessed the inclusion of God as part of the foundation of our nation and I saw my second grade teacher escorted from the classroom for reading the Bible in class.

The truth is that biblical principals were more commonly accepted and those principles influenced the framing of our system of government.  It was understood that no religion could be a part of governance.  It was also understood that religion had a place in society that was to be protected from the government. 

Some of our founding fathers were devote followers of Jesus Christ.  Others were deists, theists, and atheists.  The intent seems to be that all beliefs are accepted within the bounds that none of those beliefs may become a state belief.  The state may be informed by the beliefs of the people but no group of people may make the state sponsor any religion.

For me that means that I must live in such a way that my beliefs stand on their own merit.  I must not count on a state or any governing body to provide my faith for me.  The relationship with Christ is an individual one.  I am accountable to God as is every other living being.  I must follow faithfully and allow my life to influence others.  The beauty and providence of God in our nation is that if enough Christ followers do this and allow the Holy Spirit to guide them we will get the political results are best for everyone.  If we are politically responsible then we can influence culture through the proper channels.

It is wrong for me to use my faith as a weapon to force others to do what I think is right.  It is holy and beautiful for me to serve Christ and others with all my heart and let my life speak to my beliefs.  The founding fathers understood that if this country was to remain free that the divisive nature of religion had to be set outside of the government.  It is mine and every other Christ followers responsibility to follow in such a way that people desire what we have.  There are simple ways to do this.  I am getting to that part.

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 Christian Nation – First Thoughts

Greetings Dear Reader,

I am sure that I am uncomfortable writing about this but it is something with which my mind is dancing and so I will.  Let me state clearly that I realize how polarizing this topic is.  I am sorting out my own thinking on how to deal with errors I see on both sides of the issue. 

Let me state clearly my position on this as we begin so that you, Dear Reader, will know where I am headed and can interact at will.  I do not believe that we are or ever have been a “Christian Nation.”  I realize that there are good arguments for and against this but I believe that the truth is somewhere in the middle.

One of the key thoughts that plague me is the command not to take the name of God for our own purposes.    I rarely see our Christian status touted for purposes that are Christ centered.  I have personally walked away from the term Christian as a way of self-identification and this is one of the reasons.  I still believe in and follow Christ to the best of my ability but I feel that the term “Christian” no longer communicates that.

If we take on a label for our own purposes and that label is God then we are “taking his name in vain.”  That always leads to disillusionment for others.  I love that freedoms I have in this country but I feel that like so many other things Christ followers have made our status as a nation a mantra without power.  Nothing I say has any strength if I do not live it out.  I will walk through the things that I believe a Christian nation would be based on the words of Christ and his early followers.   You may draw your own conclusions.

I realize some of you will be angered by the things I am going to say.  I would first ask you why an honest assessment of belief should anger anyone.  I stand firmly in my faith and hope to purify it by this part of the journey.  I am not disloyal to my country but rather hope to make it stronger by looking at it honestly and asking my fellow travelers to do the same.  I thank you for walking with me and invite you to talk with me as we travel.

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."

Daggers in the Soul

Greetings Dear Reader,

Often there are things I do not know how to handle.  One of them is things that have been said to me in the past that hurt so deeply.  Most of them are not true but the wounds are.  The energy required to fight them off is taxing and could be used for much better things.

People say things out of pain, greed, selfishness, and malice.  These things remain in the soul long after the event is over.  People say things that lift us up and give us hope then violate those things without thought to how that will impact the life of the person they said them to.

Even after forgiveness and restoration of the relationship the words come back to haunt me.  The energy it takes fend off those thoughts would be better spent doing good to others and thinking well about important things.  This drives me to take greater care over my words.

I know that I will be held accountable for everything I say.  These daggers in my soul remind me to be aware of the impact of what I say on others.  The following from Bishop William Walsham How informs my thinking on this.

“What a wonderful thing the soul is, children! You cannot see it: you cannot hear it: you cannot touch it. Yet you know it is there. You do not want any proof that you have a soul. You are as sure of that as that you have a body. It tells you itself.

Now I think I am wrong, after all, in saying that you have a soul. Ought I not to say, you are a soul? Is not the soul really yourself? In truth, my children, it is the soul that has a body, not the body that has a soul; for the soul is greater surely than the body, and will last when the body is laid aside in death.”

Physical harm heals.  I no longer feel the pain for the scars I carry on my body.  I do, however, feel the pain of the scars others have left on my soul.  Christ will ultimately heal this as well, but I must be careful that my words do not increase this need in others.

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 Strong Core – What is My Center?

Greetings Dear Reader,

I have been ill for the last week.  Allergies combined with a sinus infection have had me running on empty most of the week.  Since I am on the upswing in regaining my physical health through exercise and weight loss I have noticed that illness does not impact me as deeply.  I am not well yet but talking about my illness with a colleague got around to talking about my core strength.

This is something talked about often by exercise enthusiasts and I see the importance of it.  It got me pondering what my core really is.  If I am not centered on Christ and his place in my life then no amount of physical strength will help me.  If Christ is not the center of all that I try to be then no physical, emotional, or social centering will help me.

It takes me back to the realization that there are truly no secular issues.  Everything is God’s whether we accept that or not.  We do not vote God in or give him permission.  If Christ and his love for everyone is not my driving force then I cannot be centered or have a strong core.  I find that when I manage to see things through this perspective I am much more at peace.  I am much more successful.  I am stronger.

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."

Anger: The Foolish and the Bold – Concluding Thoughts

Greetings Dear Reader,

It is not wrong to be angry.  It is wrong to be angry for the wrong reasons.  Anger used to control me so easily.  It is only in focusing on the things that Christ wishes from us that I can quell that anger and love others beyond it.

It is not just my feelings that I must control but rather my heart.  How I feel about someone else and his actions must be governed by how Christ sees him and how Christ sees me.  If I have not forgiven or find my anger still burning against someone I need to examine my heart not his actions.

How I feel is not wrong but it must be measured against what Christ wishes me to be as his follower.  When I am angry I must examine why and pursue peace.  I must not allow my feelings to guide my actions and choices.  I must love, forgive, and work for peace.

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."

Anger: The Foolish and the Bold – Duration

Greetings Dear Reader,

How long am I allowed to stay angry?  There are some very clear answers here and they make me mad.  You see I am not allowed to go to bed angry.  I am also required to forgive everyone.  This means that the duration of my anger is limited to the current day.  I do not think this means that I should get angry earlier so that I can remain angry longer if I wish.

I realize that this all sounds a little cheeky but that is the intent.  I think that God intends for my anger to be short lived.  It my anger is just it needs to propel me to forgiveness and restoration.  If it is unjust then in needs to be killed and I need forgiveness.  The implication of this is that dealing with anger properly leads to peace. 

If I have an issue with someone else or know that someone has one with me it is my responsibility to seek peace.  Imagine the impact if everyone who claimed to follow Christ dealt with things this way.  I realize there are situations where one cannot resolve an issue because it may be physically hazardous to do so.  This does not mean that one does not let go of the anger and forgive the other individual.

Anger is too molten and destructive for me to hold it inside. 

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."

Anger: The Foolish and the Bold – Anger at God

Greetings Dear Reader,

This occurs.  I wonder how often we ponder just how ineffective it is.  Since God is sovereign and inerrant he is always correct.  This means that anger at him for what he allows or ordains is in error. 

Most to the time when I find that I am angry at God it is due to my being dissatisfied with the way in which things are unfolding.   It is comparable to the way in which my Grandson reacts when he does not get what he wants.   It always me that disagrees with the state of things being that God is in control. 

This is so very dangerous for me because it always leads to failure on my part.  When I disagree with God I begin from the false presumption that I am right.  This leads to bad decisions and harmful actions that hurt me and those around me.  It is always in my best interest to agree with God and learn from the circumstances what he wishes me to learn.     

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."

Anger: The Foolish and the Bold – God’s Anger

Greetings Dear Reader,

God does get angry.  The anger is always justified.  It is intriguing to me that is it is always a response to the actions of men.  The focus that I am taking here though is one that I have only recently thought trough.

Too often we see those who claim to represent God use his anger as a weapon against those they wish to control.  I cannot guarantee how God will feel about anything.  I cannot say he will always respond with anger.  What I can say is that he responds in love much more often than he does anger.

When I try to use God’s anger at sin as a manipulation for others I am violating the proper command to love them.  When I first came to faith it was in a community of believers that focused much more on God’s anger than on his love.  It took many years for me to realize how wrong this is.

God does become angry and it is just.  He much more often though does God reach out to us in love and compassion?  How often does he command us to do the same?  We are to measure each other by our love.  We must measure God the same way.  The result is much healthier.

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."

Anger: The Foolish and the Bold – Expressing Anger to God

Greetings Dear Reader,

I wonder why we do not do this better.  I know that I tell God how I feel about things all the time.  I do this often in the car on the way to work.  I usually have my phone headset on so most people probably think I am on the phone.  Occasionally I am talking in the same animated way without the headset.  Fortunately God does not require one.

When things make me angry it does me good to talk them out with God.  I tell him how I feel.  He reminds me that he is in control.  It truly helps.  David did this all the time.  There are many Psalms where it is obvious that the writer wishes for God to intervene in whatever the writer is on about. 

Again we seem to think that anger is always a bad thing.  I find that when I am honest about the anger I can see clearly what is right and wrong about the situation and how to deal with it.  It also quite often shows me when I am being an ass.  Besides, any form of talking to God is good. 

I recall one very hot Florida afternoon that I was very angry.  I was tired and my life was not going well.  I am in my car yelling at God and demanding that he straighten things out for me.  (I do not recommend this last bit.)  I pulled into a grocery store parking lot, stormed into the store, and bought the cheapest jar of apple juice I could find.

The cashier was polite.  I was rude.  I paid and marched angrily out to my sweltering car.  I dove behind the car seat and slammed the car door still fuming at my circumstances and my anger at the “unfairness” of it all.  I ripped the top off the apple juice jar and began pouring the cool juice down my gullet.  Easily have the bottle was down in one huge greedy gulp.  Then I realized it was apple cider vinegar. 

I spewed vinegar all over my windshield and dash.  I was sure I could hear God laughing at me in a very fatherly loving way.  Soon I was laughing too.  I went back into the store, bought some real apple juice and apologized to the cashier.  God used the vinegar to rein me in and show me that things were not so bad.

Anger is not bad and God wishes to hear how we feel.  It often seems that he is hiding.  It often feels that God is distant.  When I express my anger over this in the right way it increases my faith and hope.

How Long? – Michael Card

How long will you forget, O Lord? (How long? How long?)

How I long to see your face, O Lord? (How long will you hide?)

How I struggle with my thoughts, O Lord! (How long? How long?)

Suffer sorrow in my heart, O Lord! (How long will you hide?)

How How Long? How How Long?

You won't even give an answer, Lord! (How long? How long?)

Give me light or I can live no more! (How long will you hide?)

My foes rejoice when they see me fall! (How long? How long?)

We have overcome and now they call! (How long will you hide?)

How How Long? (Will you hide from me?) How How Long?

How How Long? (Till you set me free?) How How Long?

Still, O Lord, You are so good to me! (How long? How long?)

My heart rejoices how you set me free! (How long will you hide?)

You're the Savior that I'm hoping on! (How long? How long?)

How I trust in your unfailing love! (How long will you hide?)

How How Long? (How long?) How How Long?

How How Long? (Will you wait forever?) How How Long?

 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."

Anger: The Foolish and the Bold – What Angers God

Greetings Dear Reader,

This is one of those questions that seems easy on the surface.  It is not.  One could be simplistic and say that it is sin.  Whilst this is true it is not that easy.  I want to be very careful about what I assign to God.

We assign our own images to God when he is so far beyond that comparison.  It is my obligation to see God for who he is rather than recreate him in my image.  God wishes to be known.  He wishes for us to see him as he is and love him.  I think that it angers him that he shows himself so clearly and we refuse to see it.

His response to that is not to destroy us but to become like us so that we can see him more clearly.  We must see that anger is not the core of who God is.  His first command to us is to love him.  It is to love him with all that we are.  This is not his ego or some form of self-elevation.  God is worthy of our love simply for who he is.

I think that when we replace God with anything it is because we have failed to love him as he is.  We want this so much from others; to be loved for who we are and yet we refuse to give this to God.  I think it angers God when we harm ourselves and each other by not loving him.

My God – Ian Anderson

People -- what have you done --

Locked Him in His golden cage.

Made Him bend to your religion --

Him resurrected from the grave.

He is the god of nothing --

If that's all that you can see.

You are the god of everything --

He's inside you and me.

So lean upon Him gently

And don't call on Him to save you

From your social graces

And the sins you used to waive.

The bloody Church of England --

In chains of history --

Requests your earthly presence at

The vicarage for tea.

And the graven image you-know-who --

With His plastic crucifix --

He's got him fixed --

Confuses me as to who and where and why --

As to how he gets his kicks.

Confessing to the endless sin --

The endless whining sounds.

You'll be praying till next Thursday to

All the gods that you can count

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."