Second Thoughts – Good Samaritan Day

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.

It did not occur to me until after I posted yesterday’s blog that it was Good Samaritan Day.  It put me in mind when I realized it that we do not always get the full impact of the story Jesus tells in this case.  The parable is a short read:

Luke 10:25-37 

Then an expert in Moses' Teachings stood up to test Jesus. He asked, "Teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?"   

Jesus answered him, "What is written in Moses' Teachings? What do you read there?"  

He answered, "'Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your strength, and with all your mind.' And 'Love your neighbor as you love yourself.'"  

Jesus told him, "You're right! Do this, and life will be yours."  

But the man wanted to justify his question. So he asked Jesus, "Who is my neighbor?"

Jesus replied, "A man went from Jerusalem to Jericho. On the way robbers stripped him, beat him, and left him for dead. By chance, a priest was traveling along that road. When he saw the man, he went around him and continued on his way.  Then a Levite came to that place. When he saw the man, he, too, went around him and continued on his way.  But a Samaritan, as he was traveling along, came across the man. When the Samaritan saw him, he felt sorry for the man, went to him, and cleaned and bandaged his wounds. Then he put him on his own animal, brought him to an inn, and took care of him.  The next day the Samaritan took out two silver coins and gave them to the innkeeper. He told the innkeeper, 'Take care of him. If you spend more than that, I'll pay you on my return trip.'  

"Of these three men, who do you think was a neighbor to the man who was attacked by robbers?"  

The expert said, "The one who was kind enough to help him." Jesus told him, "Go and imitate his example!"

A man from Samaria acts with love, compassion, and charity on the behalf of someone whose people hate him.  Jesus makes it clear that our “neighbor” is not limited to those across the street or next door.  Every man is my responsibility.  The needs of others are my domain.

So very much of what we do involves our neighbors.  We live in a constantly shifting community of neighbors with needs.  I must always be aware of my need to see their needs.  If I am looking to follow Christ closely then I must see those needs.  I must see that being a “Good Samaritan” is a way of life in every moment. 

If I practice being this person daily then when those big moments come I will be in the habit of doing what is needed for others.  Love, compassion, and kindness can be a way of life but it means practicing it in every moment.

Distressing Disguise – Michael Card

He is in the pain, He is in the need

He is in the poor we are told to feed

Though He was rich, for us He became poor

How could He give so much, what was it for?

In His distressing disguise

He waits for us to surmise

That we rob our brothers by all that we own

And that's not the way He has shown

Every time a faithful servant serves

A brother that's in need

What happens at that moment is a miracle indeed

As they look to one another in an instant it is clear

Only Jesus is visible, for they've both disappeared

He is in the hand that reaches out to give

He is in the touch that causes men to live

So speak with your life now, as well as your tongue

Shelter the homeless, take care of the young

In His distressing disguise

He hopes that we'll realize

That when we take care of the poorest of them

We've really done it to Him

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."

Ripples in a Pond – Ripples Return to Us

Greetings Dear Reader,

The Túngara Frog uses ripples to attract his mate.  His throat expands as he croaks sending ripples through the water so his mate can locate him.  While this looks odd to me it is the ripples of sound and water that allow him to be found and to find Froggy love.

When we send out ripples into the world they return to us.  We benefit or suffer loss due to those ripples.  We can always control what we send out.  It is our choice.  We cannot control perceptions or interpretations.  We can always be sure that what we put out is intended to attract what we wish in our lives.

As a Christ follower I am required to be vigilant over the message I send to others.  It cannot be anything less than the message that Christ intends.  I did not say more because if I add any baggage to the Gospel then I am creating a lesser message.  I cannot tell anyone else how to live his or her life.

I can send out ripples of love, compassion, and generosity.  I can create waves of kindness and understanding.  What I must not do is send out ripples of judgment, rejection, and hatred.

Perhaps the deep fissure that the church has with the rest of humanity is in part due to the ripples sent out by sending waves of judgment and rejection to the world.  If I do these things then will I not receive back the cancerous produce of those actions?

I must send out all the ripples of inviting love and kindness possible.  It is after all what I wish to receive 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."

Ripples in a Pond – Strangers

Greetings Dear Reader,

For some time my eldest Son had a job as the assistant manager of a convenience store.  We all knew that his work ethic and good nature would serve him well.  It was a survival job to get him through college.

One day someone came to me and said that she had encountered my Son at his job.  She knew it was my Son because of the way he treated her as a customer.  He was polite and kind.  She said that as she was leaving after this brief transaction he said, “take care” with a genuineness that she rarely heard.  Having described my children often to her she knew instantly that he must be my Son.

It is a given that I love and am proud of my Children.  What my Son did in that moment is drive home the impact that we have on strangers.  We create long large ripples in the lives of others we do not know.  What we say and do to people we may never encounter again matters.

If I am impatient with a service person or even rude to a fellow motorist I have no way of knowing where those ripples will land.  If I fail to give the kindness Christ commands me to give to others then I am creating ripples that can echo destructively in the lives of others.

The opposite is true as well.  A kind word and some humility can go far in the lives of strangers.  I can live out the Gospel by being good to people when I am in a hurry or things do not go well.  I also find that those ripples roll back on me as well.  I know many shopkeepers, once strangers, who instantly smile when I go into their shop.  Strangers have turned into friends because I chose to be kind.  This is yet another ripple caused by being good to others.

I must always choose to be kind to strangers.  After all, I never know when doing so will come back to me in ways that give joy to my soul.

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."

Ripples in a Pond – Students

Greetings Dear Reader,

I suppose that the most obvious place where I create daily ripples is in my teaching.  Social media allows me to follow the journeys of students who have passed through my classroom.  When I see their successes it fills my tank. 

Anyone who has spent time as a teacher knows that once someone is “your” student they are yours forever. They will move on to other things.  They pass through your classroom on the way to some other adventure and each one takes a bit of you with him or her. 

One of the maladies that infect teachers is that they remember the failures far more vividly than the successes.  I do not mean the students who have failed but rather the students we feel we have failed.  Even whilst writing that sentence a few names spring to mind; some of them from decades ago.  There are students that did not receive my best.  Some have forgiven me but a few have not.

I know there are successes too.  I regularly interact with students who have gone on to be great at their chosen professions.  I know I helped a little.  Here, though, I must also wage that constant battle between an honest sense of accomplishment and cancerous pride. 

A third aspect of this is that of the teachers that have labored to teach me.  To some of them I feel a debt I can never truly pay.  Don, Phil, and Clarence, you have instilled things in me that I use daily.  Know that your impact ripples on to others through me.

I do not know how long I can continue to teach.  I love it but it drains me in a way that I cannot seem to completely heal.  I think Bilbo said it best.  I have begun to feel like butter spread over too much bread.  I think it is great wisdom to leave things behind whilst still creating good ripples.

So as I journey through this thinking on ripples I send out a prayer for all those who have students.  I pray for your strength and stamina.  Like you I hope that I have made a difference.   

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."

Ripples in a Pond – First Thoughts

Greetings Dear Reader,

In the move Jurassic Park, one of the Characters, Malcolm is a proponent of Chaos theory.  He explains how everything is connected.  I remember as a child throwing stones into a still pond just to watch the ripples.  I love the sound of echoes thrown down a gorge of canyon.

It occurs to me more often how my life is all of these things.  I create ripples and echoes with what I do.  I see how none of my actions are expressed in a vacuum.  As I work through ending bad habits and cultivating good ones I am forced to see how past bad actions still echo in the lives of others.

 In the midst of learning about forgiveness and reconciliation is the understanding the my realization of my sin and doing things to change my behavior does not erase the ripples of my past actions.  This is both positive and negative. 

There are ripples that I see that are a result of my failures.   I cannot stop them and the echoes haunt me daily.  I am also begging to see ripples where I have done well.  I need to embrace both the responsibility for the negative ones and with humility the beauty of the positive ones.

There is no way around the truth that my life impacts the lives of others whether I wish it or not.  I must assure that I create those echoes and ripples with intent.  I must be vigilant over my actions and practices in a way that enhances that which I create in others.  I must own my failures without excuse and seek to mend the damage done.

As I think through this aspect of my journey I hope you find something that will echo in you that is positive.

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."

Reading Well

Greetings Dear Reader,

I read quite a bit.  One of my mentors taught me that I should read 100 pages for each page I write.  I read fiction and non-fiction.  I like history and fantasy.  I like science fiction and classic literature.

I do not think of myself as “well read.”  I do, however, think that reading well is important.  One of my dear friends calls reading the works of others standing on the shoulders of those who have come before us.  It helps us see further. 

In my writing room I am surrounded by books that I have actually read.  There are hundreds of them.  I read things with which I agree and disagree.  Reading well means that really listen to what is being said with as few filters as possible. 

After that I can put in place the knowledge that I have gained along the way to evaluate what I have read.  I consider each new thought in light of what I already know or ponder.  Doing this regularly has reminded me that I must truly read the things that I already know.

I read the Bible daily.  It is important that even though I have read it through many times that when I read I read well.  I have had many people talk about studying it but few that truly read it.  The Bible speaks to and informs all that I am.  I must not fail to read it well. I cannot filter it through anyone else’s mind set.

I must not be content with what I know.  I must always be seeking to learn more and apply what I know.  The journey requires that I read well if I am to understand the path and follow it properly.

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."

Bumper Sticker Religion – Closing Thoughts

Greetings Dear Reader,

We all find ways to shout out how we feel about things.  One could argue that this blog is such a shout.  I find that bumper stickers leave me little choice in hearing someone else’s opinion on a topic.

I find most of the political and religious slogans intolerant in some way.  I do find humorous non-social bumper stickers enjoyable.  I do have a desire to go to Wall Drugs in South Dakota just because I have seen bumper stickers for it in almost every place I have lived.  Food bumper stickers make me hungry.  The worst are when they promote a food I love but cannot obtain locally.  Those should have to be covered at the state line.

I do not think that we can solve anything through bumper sticker religion.  I will close with two things.  The first is that if as a Christ follower I choose to sticker my bumper I had better be sure that my message is in line with Christ’s.  I cannot afford any hypocrisy.  I cannot indulge my position on anything at the expense of being un-loving to anyone else.

Finally there is one bumper sticker I saw that I truly loved.  It simply read, “The Voices in my Head tell me What to Write.”  As someone who seeks to only write with his own voice this is completely true.

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."

Second Thoughts – My Friend Richard

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 a friend and colleague named Richard.  He is a teacher and true lover of chemistry.  I mean the scientific kind not the people kind of chemistry.  Richard is also a kind and patient tutor to our students who need help in maths and sciences. 

Richard writes a blog about chemistry which is well worth your time.  It is called Learning Chemistry Easily.  He did an excellent series on exotic materials and is not writing about gases. 

The reason I am writing about Richard is to thank him.  You see as a School Chair I must keep track of those students who struggle with classes or need help.  Richard is unfailing in his willingness to help those students.  He also is quite skilled in doing it.

I have students who would not have stayed in school had in not been for Richard’s care of their educational needs.  He battles quietly for each step forward in algebra and physics.  He patiently nudges people along the path of learning.  He learns things he does not know so that he can help students learn it.

The universe and my students are better for Richard and his work with them.  Thank you friend.

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."

Bumper Sticker Religion – Jesus Loves You

Greetings Dear Reader,

Yes, Jesus does love you.  There is, however, a problem with putting this on a bumper.  I want everyone to know that Jesus loves them.  It is one of my deepest passions.  It is why I have worked to change from a selfish angry man into one who is loving and kind.

On more than one occasion I have seen this bumper sticker on the car of one who is driving badly.  If one is going to drive badly then one should not put Jesus, a fish, or a cross on his or her car.  It is just a bad idea.

We are supposed to live the Gospel in a way that makes the beauty and love of Christ evident to others.  Bad driving almost always has the opposite impact.  I would even like to consider a “bonus bumper sticker today.”  It is the one that reads “honk if you love Jesus.”   I have been flipped off twice for following the instructions of this one. 

It could be that the person driving those cars wants to identify and insult people who love Jesus.  It is more likely that in both cases he forgot about his bumper sticker and the cost of following Christ.  I also suppose that one of them, a very young man, could have been driving a car that belonged to a parent.  I can imagine the frustration of driving a car with “honk if you love Jesus” on it and not loving Jesus oneself.

I think that these two examples get at the heart of the problem for Christ followers.  I had best not identify with Christ if I am going fail to live up to that image.  Please do not get me wrong.  I am going to fail sometimes.  I sin.  It is not that we must be perfect to identify with Christ but we had best be aware of how we do so in order to not make things worse.

I must assure that when I speak or share the name of Jesus that I am contributing to a proper understanding of who he is.  I am pretty sure my driving is good but in those moments where it is not it might be best if my bumper remains bare.

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."

Bumper Sticker Religion – Annoy a Christian…

Greetings Dear Reader,

When I first saw this bumper sticker it was on the same care as one of the Coexist bumper stickers.  I found this at the minimum contradictory.  The bumper sticker read “Annoy a Christian – Think for Yourself.” 

First I wish to object to the blanket assumption that to follow Christ means that one does not think for one’s self.  I admit that there are those who do not truly think through what they profess to believe but to pain us all with the same brush is wrong in many ways.

As a Christ follower it is wrong for me seek to annoy anyone.  Were I to post something suggesting a way to annoy another religious or social group I would be called hypocritical, intolerant, and bigoted.

It is always wrong to intentionally insult others.  I realize that there are Christ followers who do not ponder the positions they take in light of what Christ commands us to do.  If I behave in a manner that contradicts the commands to be loving and kind then I diminish the impact of the Gospel.

As a Christ follower I must think.  I must be sure that what I profess is in harmony with Christ’s teaching and not just a sectarian preference.  This is one of the reasons that the way is narrow.  This is why I must assure that my life does not cause others to think that I do not think.

“To think well is to serve God in the interior court.”  Thomas Traherne    

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."