My sin versus YOUR SIN

Greetings Dear Reader,

One of the things that saddens me greatly is the way in which we differentiate between our sin and the sin of others.  I say “we” because even though I do not wish it I do this from time to time.  An un-captured thought or moment of carelessness causes me to see another’s actions and judge him. 

This is shameful for me.  I have no right or freedom to judge the sin of someone else.  I am fallen and sinful.  I sin and my sin is what I must be concerned about when I ponder sin.  Instead we ponder the sins of others and assign them more severity of our own.  When we get in the business of comparing sin we become blind and foolish.

It is simple for me to negate the severity of my own sin if I focus on the sin of others.  I must daily realize the depth of grace and mercy required for me.  I must moment by moment strive to live in a submissive manner that honors God.  If I battle my own sin then I have no time to judge others. 

When I compare sin I only breed judgment and resentment.  When I fail to see the shortcomings of others with compassion and grace then I am in danger of setting myself above them.  It is my duty to God to work at negating my own sinful nature and honoring him by loving and caring for others. If everyone who follows Christ adopts this attitude then what would be the result?

A final thought would also be that if we say we do not sin then we have a problem altogether larger. 

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."

Independence Day 2013

Greetings Dear Reader,

Recently a friend and I were conversing about the needs of another friend.  The final thought he gave on the issue was that a man’s word is his bond.  He was right and his comment brought to full view a reminder of why I value this man so much.  He is veteran who lost a leg due to a roadside bomb.  He is also a gifted artist and intelligent loyal friend.

Thinking about him and his values reminded me just what today is about.  In juxtaposition with another recent incident I was reminded that freedom has both a price and comes with responsibilities.  We have rights guaranteed us by our system of government.  Those rights were obtained by the shedding of blood and are guarded by the same.  Those rights come with the responsibility to assure that everyone is given those rights equally.  Those rights come with the responsibility to be involved and assure that our government serves us and does not rule us.

As a follower of Christ I must obey the law and assure that all men ⁽¹⁾ are treated equally under the law.  I must not allow my freedoms to be in opposition to my faith.  I must not violate the laws of God for the freedom to do as I please.  I must always recognize that people died so I can have picnics.  I must assure that I do not numb my heart toward the needs of those around me. 

Whilst I celebrate Independence Day I must not fail to pray for the three young brothers who are serving in the Army and whose mum has been so good to my family.  I must not fail to acknowledge the service Raven, my daughter-in-law has rendered and continues to render.  I must realize that until everyone is free to sleep in the peace that I sleep in every night that the responsibilities of my freedom have not been met.

Freedom is the opportunity to do good to others not the opportunity to take and soak in and keep.  It is the responsibility to defend the weak not act weak so I can get a free ride.  It I take anything from any government program that I can work for instead I am stealing resources that could be diverted to genuine need.  If I do not participate in the constant reformation and positive construction of my country’s government then I am ignoring the duty that goes with my rights.

Freedom has both a price tag and duty.  We are never independent of that.

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."

(1) Just a note about my use of the word “men” here.  I oppose most forms of political correctness in speech.  I especially find the idea of authorial intent important.  When I use a word it means what I intend it to mean.  It does not mean whatever someone else’s political agenda or sensibilities mean.  In this case the word :”man” means mankind, humans, and thus is an all-inclusive term.

A Needed Reminder

Greetings Dear Reader,

When I was seven one of the gifts I received for Christmas was a beginner geology kit.  It was a collection of rocks with information as to their characteristics and places in the world where they are found.  In my budding nerdiness I dove into the rocks fascinated by their colour and shape.  One of my favorites was a stone called mica.  It is a sheet silicate that can be easily peeled in what seems like infinite layers. This particular kind of mica, sheet mica is used in electronics, isinglass, and atomic force microscopy.  It is a fascinating mineral.  It was also the mineral that one of my early mentors used to describe the in-plumb-able depths of the Word of God. 

A couple of weeks ago I mentioned a new friend and colleague I had met.  We were speaking yesterday and he reminded me how much he loved reading his Bible because of this very thing.  So many people study, write about, and discuss the Bible without really reading it.  I have been reading it for years and never found it to be dull or incomprehensible.  Rather, I find that every time I approach it honestly it has something new to teach me. 

Recently I have been on a quest to renew something I did years ago that served me greatly.  For about two years I read the Bible through once a month.  I have been doing this again for the last two months.  Just this week as I started again the begets of Genesis and the laws of Leviticus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy seemed like the doldrums of the south Pacific.  I was actually pondering giving up the endeavor when I had my conversation yesterday with Ted. 

His words resurfaced in my mind today as I approached my Bible.  I took the time to reread yesterday’s words with a better attitude. Like the mica from my geology kit the words peeled back to reveal more of who God is and how he feels about me. I was reminded that God’s prime mover is his love for us.  I saw how much he wishes for us to love everyone else no matter where they come from or who they are.

I will never thump the Bible at you Dear Reader but it is precious to me.  I wish that I could get everyone just to simply read it.  It is powerful and living.  It has a story to tell that is one of hope and courage.  It is a story about who we are and where we are going as humans.  Like any great story it changes us as we engage with it.  We have to be willing to openly read 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."

Issues I must address – Closing Thoughts

Greetings Dear Reader,

I realize there are other things I could include in this.  I can think of them without really trying.  Sometimes I feel overwhelmed by the needs of the world around me and the feeling that I make little impact.  I also know that I work at making a difference.  I am aware and I act.

Some would say that it is too late; that the church has become irrelevant.  I would say that instead of abandoning it we work from within the change things.  Divisions and factions are the enemy of meeting the world’s needs.  I must realize that there are others feeling the same and working toward the solutions.

The vast complexity of the world’s needs is unassailable by one person.  It is my place to make a difference where I can.  It is my place to do what I can a believe that things will unfold as they should.  Everything about the social issues of our world points toward the need for Christ followers to abandon their difference and embrace the things that are common.

There is no room in the Gospel for hatred or indifference.  We cannot hope to make an impact if we show more concern for our own wants over the needs of others.  It is our part of the journey to assure that we are there with kindness, love, and true help to show others who Christ is and what he has to offer.  If we do not work for social justice we should not be surprised if others do not see the need for spiritual justice as well.

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."

Issues I must address - Immigration

Greetings Dear Reader,

I feel that this issue has been so politicized that the compassion and love for others required of all Christ followers has been lost.  I realize that we are not under the law but a look at how the law intended Israel to treat foreigners in their land may give us a view of God’s heart on the matter.

Exodus 23:9 “Never oppress foreigners. You know what it’s like to be a foreigner because you were foreigners living in Egypt.

Leviticus 19:33-34 “Never mistreat a foreigner living in your land. Foreigners living among you will be like your own people. Love them as you love yourself, because you were foreigners living in Egypt. I am the LORD your God.

We must ask the question as to what level we are to address the needs of foreigners.  I have heard many of my conservative brothers cite that illegal immigrants are breaking the law.  Whilst that may be an issue it does not mitigate our responsibility to them under a higher law.  Again I think that I must ask why the Church is not leading the way in seeing that those in need of safe harbor or that seek a better life are not coupled with those who are criminal.

We have too much not to demand that we be allowed to offer aid and comfort to those in need.  I have been at the center of the immigration issue for five years now on a personal level.  There is so little there for even those who seek a legal path to refuge.  Even working within the law there are obstacles and contradictions that make progress nearly impossible.

Even those willing to work hard and be honest earners are faced with road blocks, denials, and mistreatment.  They are dehumanized into cases, lotteries, and group policies.  The government may choose to deal with this dispassionately but Christ followers do not have the luxury. 

We are to love everyone.  We are to honor everyone.  We are to show compassion and generosity.  Everything I do must be in the shadow of the fact that Christ took me in freely.  How can I not treat others the same way?  I do not have an answer to the vast issue that immigration has become for us.  I do know that those who follow Christ can and need to do more.  As I work through the system I meet people who are honest and good that are caught up in the tide of a broken system.  Whether I wish it or not I am accountable for how I as a Christ follower interact with 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."

Taking a Breath

Greetings Dear Reader,

Some things have taken me away from the keyboard today.  I am taking a breath to assure that when I write my heart is right.  Please pray for me 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."

Issues I must address - Homosexuality

Greetings Dear Reader,

I am going to say some things here that may offend you, Dear Reader.  I give you my word that my intent is not to harm anyone.  To my friends who are homosexual I assure you that I am not about to launch into a list of reasons why it is right or wrong to be gay.  I think that if someone wishes to evaluate honestly the status of his or her life it will be found that we are all sinful fallen creatures in desperate need of help.  I am not going to say what I think about the rightness or wrongness of this issue.  Please do not post anything in response that speaks to this aspect of the thought because I will delete it.

What I do need to address is the problem of compassion.  As a follower of Jesus Christ I am forbidden to withhold compassion from anyone.  No matter what I feel about actions, attitudes, or life styles I am not right to deny an individual or group of individuals social justice.  IF (that is a shouted IF) I think that it is wrong to be gay it does not mean that God hates that person and it is not my place to do active or passive harm to a person who is gay.

If I see someone “overtaken in a fault” I am to love them and be humble.  So IF I think that anything is wrong it is my obligation to show that person the love and acceptance of Christ and allow God to convict the individual of sin.  More it is my responsibility to assure that the individual is not mistreated by others.  No matter what lifestyle an individual lives, if they are in need of health care, social benefits, and personal care it is my obligation to see and assist in meeting those needs.

It seems that every generation the Church focuses on an area of sin and ostracizes the individuals who are committing that particular sin.  IF I see homosexuality as a sin I am not free to judge, condemn, hate, or neglect the sinner.  Why?  I am a sinner.  I sin.  My sins are in need of mercy, grace, love, compassion, and forgiveness.  To deny the social needs of anyone because of his or her sin is to sin against that individual.

If Christ follower treated all sin as some treat homosexuality then liars, gossipers, gluttons, and politicians would all be in dire straits.  I cannot judge one sin and ignore others.  My pastor reminds us often that we are all crooked sticks.  The list in Proverbs that numerates sin that God sees as abhorrent is very inclusive.  Before we dare say that God hates gays we had best look at what the Word of God says he hates and assure that we are not doing things on the list.

Pro 6:16-19 There are six things that the LORD hates, even seven that are disgusting to him:

·         arrogant eyes

·         a lying tongue

·         hands that kill innocent people

·         a mind devising wicked plans

·         feet that are quick to do wrong

·         a dishonest witness spitting out lies

·         and a person who spreads conflict among relatives

If I think I am not included in that list I should consider Paul’s list to the Galatians:

Gal 5:19-21 Now, the effects of the corrupt nature are obvious:

·         illicit sex

·         perversion

·         promiscuity

·         worshiping false gods

·         drug use

·         hatred

·         rivalry

·         jealousy

·         angry outbursts

·         selfish ambition

·         conflict

·         factions

·         envy

·         drunkenness

·         wild partying

and similar things. I've told you in the past and I'm telling you again that people who do these kinds of things will not inherit the kingdom of God.

If I think I am not included in this list then I am lying and, therefore, included in the first list.  If I have any hope of there being forgiveness and mercy for my sin then I had better assure that I am not judging others.  More so I should assure that everyone is treated with love, compassion, and social justice. To do less is to assure that I will be judged in the same way that I judge others.

Be clear that I am not saying that if something is wrong that I am accepting the wrong.  What I am saying is that believing that something is wrong does not equate to hating someone else or rejection of the individual.  No matter my thoughts on the right or wrong of homosexuality those who are in that lifestyle are my fellow travelers.  They are humans in need of love, compassion, grace, and mercy just because they are humans. 

To place anyone in a special category because I disagree with what they do is to ignore that Christ sees us all equally.  I may not deny respect and love to any person and say that I am following Christ.  I may not categorize any sin as worse than my own and have integrity before God.  No matter what my view of homosexuality in terms of sin, I may not mistreat, shun, or fail to love anyone.  I believe that denying things like insurance, group benefits, and social justice to anyone is failure to love them. 

I may not even be passive in my compassion for the needs of others.  The Gospel is active in its social response.  The needs of others are implicitly also my responsibility and the responsibility of all Christ followers.  I may not compartmentalize this when considering the social needs of anyone no matter what I think of their lives. 

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."

Issues I must address - Abortion

Greetings Dear Reader,

I realize that I am about to hit a hornets nest with a stick and then just stand there.  Please remember that I am not telling anyone else how to live but rather speaking about my own thoughts on an issue.  I am not going to ask anyone else to change his or her mind.  I am going to explain why I think that we have a terrible problem here.

I recently read an excellently reasoned article concerning the simple reasons why being pro-choice is a violation of human rights.  The article, The Abortion Debate: A Reasoned, Scientific Pro-Life Argument avoided emotion and rhetoric by presenting a simple syllogistic argument for disallowing abortions.

This argument alone is reason enough for me to be pro-life.  If there is a chance that abortion takes a human life without it being guilty of anything and without its consent, should I not err on the side of protecting that life?  I realize that there are things like ectopic pregnancies that justify the ending of a pregnancy.  One cannot apply a position with a broad stroke that ignores the genuine need of another.  That, however, does not mean that the “right” to choose negates another human’s right to life.

I must also address the issue of what is a right and what is not.  I am sure that we can raise situational arguments such as assault and incest that would be exceptions to the rule but how did avoiding consequences become a right?  I do not mean consequences in terms of negative outcomes but rather in the literal sense of that witch naturally follows; that which comes in sequence.  Since our science gives us very successful forms of contraception (I do not believe that this is wrong) failure to use them has natural consequences.  Since contraception can be applied in multiple layers one can make the possibility of conception statistically improbable.  The choice not to do so has a binary consequence: One conceives or one does not.  If one conceives how is it a right to avoid this consequence at the cost of another human life?

Again, I can hear the hornets buzzing with emotional arguments about body, rights, and lifestyle but can we truly say it is not a matter of choosing to avoid the consequence of another choice?  

If the aforementioned article’s reasoning is not enough for me then the simple math is.  I am going to be very conservative with these numbers so that I am not accidentally dishonest.  What this means is in every case I have rounded down.  As I ponder this whenever I think about the issue of abortion the weight of it crushes me.  Please honestly think about these numbers.

65 – Average life expectancy of someone born in the USA

40 million – Legal abortions since Roe versus Wade

2.4 Billion – Years of potential life destroyed by a choice

How many lives do we take before it is considered genocide?  One can be as emotional or non-emotional as one wishes over an issue but the numbers alone give me pause.  As I ponder the number 2,400,000,000 I wonder what we have lost along with those lives.  Were a nation to kill 40 million toddlers, teens, or adults systematically I believe there would be a much louder outcry against it. 

I would be remiss if I did not address my fellow believers in this issue.  Again the Church does not do enough to provide kind, safe, and respectful alternatives.  I am not saying it does nothing, but instead of attacking those who make this choice we must provide for the needs of those about to make.  If we do not offer an alternative that is viable and loving then we must not demand that someone face the issue unsupported.

I am not asking anyone else to change what he or she thinks.  I am simply explaining why I feel that aborting a child before birth is an illogical and homicidal choice.  We are so bipolar on this issue.  We have seen people tried for two counts of murder when they have killed an expectant mother.  How can they be guilty of murder when the mother could have chosen to end the pregnancy if she wished?  I cannot help but think that just as we are quietly disposing of millions of humans in sterile clinics and operating rooms we are also disposing of the humanity that is so vital to our survival as a free society.  

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."

Issues I must address – Health Care

Greetings Dear Reader,

I pondered what to begin with and found that this one is the easiest to walk through in my mind.  I think that by politicizing this issue those who follow Christ miss the mark.  When we turn the social need of available and affordable health care into political game we are guilty of letting others die at the hands of our complacency.

Can we say we are following Christ by denying any means to heal the sick?  It was one of his top three miracles.  The apostles did so as well.  When Jesus is describing those he knows and says, “When I was sick you visited me,” he is not talking about coming around to chat.  The Greek word for “visited” here means to care for another.  The Church should lead the charge in demanding that our neighbors have what they need to be healthy. 

By relegating the care of the sick to the government or insurance companies we deny the insistence of Christ that we care for the weak and the ill.  One cannot deny the commands of Christ or his example and claim to be following him.  If the church is not willing to rise to the need then we should not oppose those who do so.

I personally believe that this is too big a task for our government and that we as Christ followers lose credibly when we do not involve ourselves in meeting the need.  My Sons have made it their vocation to care for those in need.  I am so proud of them for this.  They see the needs every day and wonder why those who claim to follow Christ do not do more.

What if the resources of the Church were poured into medicine instead of gold domes, gilded podiums, and stained glass?  I do believe that there is a place for art in the church but not when it overrides the needs of those it is called to serve.  If we are not going to work to solve the problem of health care for others we should not be surprised when it is done poorly by others.  We should not complain about how they do it if we are not doing it ourselves.

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."

Issues I must address - First Thoughts

Greetings Dear Reader,

It is necessary to be clear from the outset of this maelstrom that I am not telling anyone else what to think.  I am, however, trying to be transparent in who I am in terms of some social issues.  I believe that followers of Jesus must address social issues if they are to have any voice in spiritual matters.

Please know that I start off with this premise:  I love everyone.  It is assumed that when one takes certain positions on some issues that they are hateful, racist, or judgmental.  I assure you that as I address each issue I am none these things as it relates to those issues. 

It is more important that I address who I am to be in light of these issues.  If the issue ever overshadows my duty to the individual then I fail in my first duty.  It is too easy in our culture to use media and rhetoric as a drumhead.  We dispense judgment based on implication, epithet, and pejorative rather than discernment and wisdom.  We treat our freedoms as license to do as we please rather than as counterbalances to our responsibilities. 

I will speak of what I think and believe for the dual purposes of being sure that I am honest with my own heart and in sparking thinking in others.  As a follower of Jesus Christ I have some very specific obligations.  When the social climate disagrees with those obligations then I must weather it in love and grace.  It must be said of us that even in our political incorrectness we have given love and grace to others in great abundance.

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."