Thoughts and Questions from Aramis Thorn

21 January 2021

Responding to Anger ~ Violence

My dear friend Glenn asked a question that I would address. He mentioned the quote that is often associated with WWII. “All that is necessary for the triumph of evil is that good men do nothing.” We do not truly know who said this first. It is associated with Edmund Burke.

It can also be found in Proverbs that we are to rescue those in danger: “Rescue those who are being taken away to death, and those who are staggering to the slaughter, oh hold them back! If you say, ‘See, we did not know this,’ Does He who weighs the hearts not consider it? And does He who watches over your soul not know it? And will He not repay a person according to his work? (Proverbs 24:11-12 NASB) The entire chapter is dedicated to resisting evil.

It would seem that it is wrong to allow evil to continue uncontested. It is right to feel anger relative to things in the world that are evil. As we said yesterday, however, anger is not allowed to be kept overnight. This begs the question of seeking balance. Jesus told us to love our enemies. He Said not to resist them. It is obvious that killing my enemy is both resistant and unloving. Resisting evil is not the same as resisting an enemy.

What then is my path? I think there is another question that we do not ask before we go to war. I am asking this question of everyone who claims to follow Christ. Have we done all that we can to provide a way that is the path of peace? We can always find ways to love, care, and provide that make violence unnecessary. We can resist evil in ways that are supernatural and fly in the face of violence.

Too often we stop short of loving our enemies. We fail to see that there is a way out. I cannot nor will I comment on specific scenarios. If Christ commands something the situation does not matter. I do not see a time in recent history when believers united to find loving solutions to the great ills of the world. We have no unity within and, therefore, cannot stand united against evil. We simply do not choose to act as one for the sake of the Kingdom.

I believe that until we choose peace in all things and harness obedience as a weapon of peace, we will not understand the path of loving our enemies. As long as things divide us internally, we cannot stand in the battle against evil. Until our first response to all things is to unite before the Father and ask him to intervene, we have not exhausted all of our options. If I respond to all anger with love, I am on the right path.

It is no small thing that I heard this quote as I have been pondering all of these things.

“There is a wide gulf between inaction and murder, Matthew. Another man's evil does not make you good. Men have used the atrocities of their enemies to justify their own throughout history.” Father Lantom – Daredevil

If I respond to evil with violence, I am not following Christ, Dear Reader. It is in making peace that I resemble my Father. The path of peace is paved with love and grace, not destruction. As Larry Norman noted that the way to bring about peace is not through sacrificing children and killing all our enemies. The only way out of this present darkness is to follow the Son.

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.

Contacts for Aramis Thorn:
#aramisthorn
Support Page on Patreon: www.patreon.com/aramisthorn
Novels: From My Publisher or on Amazon
Web Page: www.aramisthorn.com
Bookings: aramisthorn@aramisthorn.com
Facebook
Twitter
Medium
Instagram
BLOG Archive: http://aramisthorn.blogspot.com/

“Men have used the atrocities of their enemies to justify their own throughout history.” Father Lantom

20 January 2021

Responding to Anger ~ Be Angry

Greetings Dear Reader,

I wish to be very clear that in learning to respond to anger, we are not forbidden to feel angry. In truth, there are things about which we must feel anger if we are to see them clearly. Our difficulty in responding to our own anger is to predetermine how we will make sure that we only respond and do not react.

The way to peace is never through reactionary anger. When we feel justifiable anger over an issue there are some things that must be true for our anger to be righteous. First, we must consider if our anger is justified. All feelings get their genesis in our thoughts. If I am easily offended or outraged by things I cannot control, my anger is misplaced no matter if the issue is genuinely offensive or wrong. Even the deepest vilest offense is not always worthy of anger.

After we filter if anger is justified, we may find that it is. Then comes our response. Too often we react instead of responding. We spit out a retort, crush a can, or post a nasty tirade. We react with anger instead of love. The command to BE ANGRY is followed by the conditional clause to SIN NOT. In our anger, which may be imperative we must not violate love, kindness, and compassion. Justified anger will always leave room for love, mercy, and grace. That is how the Father treats us.

We must take a breath. Allow the anger to have its rightful life but refuse to speak until we have made the move from anger to love and peace. We see the wrong side of this in most political posts. We spit vitriol at our opposition that promotes hatred of their position and often hatred for them as well. The most indecent, heinous person we know is to be treated with love. This includes Speaker Pelosi and President Trump. If you follow Christ, you must love them both equally.

It is not wrong to speak against issues that we find are wrong. It is wrong to do so in anger and hatred. It is further wrong and leaves our good in the dust to attack other humans because of political, social, or religious differences. We are supposed to be peacemakers; children of God no matter what the situation. It is our requirement as followers of the Son. So, to review, we must only have anger that is justified, we must respond, not react, and we must respond in love and grace.

But wait, there is more. You see, Dear Reader, we must not keep our anger. It becomes rancid overnight like room temperature seafood. It spoils and churns inside us to give place to our ultimate enemy. I may have to forgive and seek peace every day with things I have carried for too long. I may be the one who needs forgiveness for hanging on to my anger. Anger must end with the day. My personal practice is to refuse to go to sleep until I have dealt with my anger. Until the last couple of years, I have had my share of sleepless nights because I had anger to process and put to bed.

Anger may be justified but sufficient to the day is the fuel it needs. The only way to be angry and not do wrong is to use it as fuel to heat our hearts to love, grace, and mercy. Christ is our example in this at every turn. If we follow the right use of anger, it will push us to deeper love and faith, Dear Reader. If we respond with that deep love and faith, we will become unstoppable.

Wishing you joy in the journey,

Aramis Thorn

(͡° ͜ʖ ͡°)

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

Anger is to spark as Rage is to wildfire Be ye angry and sin not.

19 January 2021

Second Thoughts ~ A Parable of Pizza

Greetings Dear Reader,

There once existed some pizza dough. It was very good dough and it waited quietly in the bin in the cooler, in the restaurant with the other balls of dough. It waited for its turn to come. It anticipated when it would be taken from the walk-in cooler and placed in the proofing drawer. It awaited the time when it would become a pizza.

The hour came when the dough ball was rolled out slightly and placed in the proofer. The warm moist air chased away its chill and the yeast began to grow and stretch the dough. Whilst this was happening, thick red pizza sauce was warming in a giant stockpot. It simmered just enough so that it would be warm but not burn. A sous chef was chopping vegetables and meat for toppings. He also grilled some pineapple, shredded some cheese, and drained some salty anchovies. All the toppings were made ready for the lunch-time opening of the pizzeria.

As lunch service began, one by one the dough balls were collected from the proofer. Our dough ball was seventh in line. Skillfully the pastry cook rolled, then spun, and tossed the dough until it was the perfect size for an extra-large pizza. The sous chef ladled the sauce on creating the perfect puddle or rich tomato and herbs to hold the toppings requested by the diners.

Checking the ticket again, the chef put bacon, red onions, and grilled pineapple on one half of the pizza. On the other side, he spread more red onions, sliced portabella mushrooms, and a healthy serving of anchovies. On top of all of this was spread a thick layer of freshly shredded mozzarella cheese. Some fresh basil and thyme were sprinkled over the cheese and a peel was used to place the pizza in the hot brick oven. In less than twenty minutes the pizza was cooked, sliced, and delivered to the table.

When placed on the table, the now crispy dough heard one of the diners politely say, “Oh no! That goes the other way round. I cannot abide pineapple on my pizza.” The other diner looked at her husband and said to the server, “And I would not eat anchovies even if I were starving to death.”

The server laughed and asked, “Then why do you not get your own pizzas?”

The woman smiled warmly, putting a slice of the pineapple side onto her plate, “We met here four years ago when we were each delivered the other’s pizza. We sat together and talked as we discussed what each liked about various things. We found we have more in common than one would think. Our love was kindled by our differences. We refuse to separate anything because of those variances. We find a way to celebrate them together. It is the cornerstone of our love.”

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.

There is always something to learn from a pizza.

Responding to Anger ~ Soft Answers

Greetings Dear Reader,

Twice recently I have sat in silence whilst someone poured out anger at me. Once it was directed at me and the other time it was simply the overflow of anger that she carries but does not acknowledge. It is how we respond to anger that matters.

The principles of love and kindness are vital here. I must always be in an attitude of gentle love that is ready to activate in the face of anger. When the words are harsh that come at me, I must respond with soft, gentle, and thoughtful words Those words must relay love for the person swearing at me; trying to hurt me. My words must reinforce my care and compassion for the pain I see in the one inflicting harm on me.

If I have caused the pain, I must kindly and humbly own my wrongs. If the pain is because of other things or if they are holding on to old anger, I may not be guilty but my response must still be humble and loving. It is very difficult to fight with someone who will not fight with you. Also, anger is tiring and one cannot sustain their barrage for long.

I must become someone who always responds to anger with humble love. Even when the anger is directed at me, I cannot abandon the hard deck of our journey. We do not always understand the anger in others but we can be understanding by giving soft responses. Anger can be turned away by being gentle. It does not always mean that it is the other person’s anger. We can remain at peace by remaining gentle.

When we sound angry, then we likely are. We must be soft within ourselves if we are going to communicate with gentle humility. That softness founded on love is more powerful than we understand. It is how we conquer enemies and restore friendships.

If we are to navigate an angry world with love, we must respond softly to anger. I must be gentle and kind, Dear Reader. In that is found the power and strength to journey through the hatred and rejection. Even our deepest wounds can heal if we allow ourselves to deal with anger by seeking peace. It is not logical but it is true.

Wishing you joy in the journey,

Aramis Thorn

(͡° ͜ʖ ͡°)

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

A soft and gentle and thoughtful answer turns away wrath,
But harsh and painful and careless words stir up anger. (Prov. 15:1 AMP)

18 January 2021

Responding to Anger ~ Opening Thoughts

Greetings Dear Reader,

One cannot look at the news, social media, or the world in general without seeing that there are some very angry people. We have so much anger in our society that we can barely talk to each other on matters that, well really matter. Anger has displaced our civility, communication, and peace.

We are so steeped in anger that it rises in us at the slightest offense and we increasingly make it the center of our being. We respond to anger with anger. We fuel hatred with angry responses. We shout each other down and refuse to engage in a meaningful conversation where there are differences. The default mode in politics and sociology seems to be that we are angry at the other side and see no good in them. By “we” here, in the event that you are wondering, I mean everyone.

Since I am endeavoring to focus on peace this year, I must develop a response to anger that leads to peace. We have discussed founding all we do on love. This means that we do not respond in anger. We have pondered being lovingly unoffendable so that we do not take offense easily or unjustly. We must, therefore, learn to respond to anger in ways that promote peace. We have to align our thoughts, feelings, and actions with things that promote peace.

I am going to spend some time developing the part of my thinking that responds to anger. Last week, one of my closest friends requested prayer. He explained that he was dealing with some deep hurt caused by one of his children. His request for prayer was because he wished to respond like Christ and not react like a human. We often pray together so I was honored to pray for him.

This led to my thinking that I need to be forearmed in my responses to anger. It is not contributive to my journey toward home, love, and peace to be angry. There are situations that warrant anger but that anger must have a short lease. In that anger, I must not sin. I must always respond in love. I invite you, Dear Reader, to journey with me. Your thoughts and questions are always welcome as we discuss how to do this with honesty. It is never feeling angry that is the problem. It is how we respond to the fury in ourselves and in others that tells the tale. Let us think through some ways to give our story a better footing.

A Voice for Peace – Dan Fogelberg

You know that everybody has a voice
And how they use it is their own free choice
In your glory, I will not rejoice
If you choose the ways of war
If you choose the ways of war

Ashes to ashes and dust to dust
My country 'tis of thee, in God we trust
But how much longer will He shelter us
While we choose the ways of war
While the winds of war rage on

Let mine "oh let my small voice" be a voice for peace
Oh let mine "oh let my small voice" be a voice for peace
Oh let mine "oh let my small voice" be a voice for peace
Let it start here with me, oh let mine be a voice for peace

The good book tells us thou shalt not kill
The truth came shining and it's shining still
But how much blood upon this earth must spill
Before we lay our weapons down
Let us lay our weapons down

And in the face of the beast, oh let mine be a voice
Until the breaths in me cease, oh let mine be a voice for peace

Raise your voice up, raise your voice up
Raise your voice up and sing for the promise

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.

How we respond to anger reveals how we feel about others.

17 January 2021

Breakfast at Tiffany's ~ Closing Thoughts

Greetings Dear Reader,

I promised, in the beginning, to get to the movie. It fits our pattern because the two main characters fail to seek each other when there is a schism between them. This is the center of our journey. The is the core of faith and following.

The entire idea of redemption is a quest for peace. It is the Father working to create peace so that we can enjoy the community of love he wishes to build. We resist this in countless ways because of our own pride, vanity, and greed. We refuse to accept peace that is offered. We hold onto anger, grief, and grudges.

What I must do is love the Father with all that I am. I must refuse to be offended. Then, I must seek peace with anyone who has something against me. If I am not constantly seeking to make peace. I am not acting like a child of God. This is not an act of arrogance or power; it is at the center of humility.

It the path of peace that will give us a way to invite others to journey with us. It is understanding that we have many more things that unite us than there are things that divide us. It is time to lay aside the posturing and pride and seek to love each other in ways that heal and unite. We will not solve everything but we will be able to gain more ground. It is in the effort that we will find the way, Dear Reader.

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.

“You'll say the world has come between us; our lives have come between us. Still. I know you just don't care.” – Deep Blue Something

16 January 2021

Breakfast at Tiffany's ~ Peacemakers

Greetings Dear Reader,

If we ponder the song, we see that this is an attempt to make peace. The singer is trying to find common ground. It is his desire to reach peace with someone he loves. It the basic premise that we must seek peace with everyone.

Jesus tells us that peacemakers are blessed and that they will be called the children of God. What then does it take to be a peacemaker? I think about the final fight scene in Captain America: Civil War. Men who genuinely love each other are fighting, hating, and risking the world over painful things.

At the center of all conflict, there are some very simple things. People forget that they love or are supposed to love each other. They forget to forgive each other and they nurse their offenses. They allow division, hurts, and pride to fester into hatred and violence. The violence is not always physical. It can be words, distancing, or ignoring someone we are supposed to love. Even passive dismissal of another person is an act of aggression. It all tears away at who we are supposed to be for each other. It all dissolves our claim to love the Father.

At the end of Civil War, Captain America reaches out to Tony Stark. He owns his wrong, gives Tony space to digest it, and offers his services if needed. Steve Rogers offers to make peace. We have to make the move to make peace even if we are in the right. We have to embrace humility and grace.

I cannot move through the world without making peace wherever I can. When someone complains about another person, I cannot dine on the gossip. Instead, I have to reach for something that will broker peace. When someone expresses hatred, I must suggest love. Wherever I receive injury I must offer and live pardon. This is the way that it will end. The Father will have peace. He will heal the world through peace.

If I add to love and being unoffendable a constant quest for peace, I can make a difference. There will still be those who hate me. Some of them are those I love dearly. The door to peace must always remain open. Reconciliation must always be on the table right next to some tea and biscuits. If someone wishes to make peace with me, Dear Reader, I must welcome them as I would a child of God.

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.

Blessed are the peacemakers for they shall be called the children of God.

15 January 2021

Breakfast at Tiffany's ~ Tolerance and Forbearance

Greetings Dear Reader,

These two words, Tolerance and Forbearance can actually be synonyms. The shade of meaning matters greatly in learning to celebrate our differences and what we have in common. If I am to live in peace with all men, I must understand and apply that shade of difference.

The primary thing for which I must seek is that narrow space between understanding and justification. It is the valley between expectation and patience. The difference lies in the chasm that is a gap between who I am and who others are.

The vastness that separates us is largely due to Christ-followers failing to apply the love of Jesus to their expectations of those who do not follow him. We are asked by the world to be tolerant of all things. The Father asks that in love we forebear all things. He asks that in patience we do not expect those who do not believe to act as if they do.

It is not loving or kind to demand that others do what we can only do by the power of the Holy Spirit. It is not the path of peace to ask others to do what they cannot possibly do. This thinking leads to pride and arrogance. It leads to us thinking that we are better than those who do not share our faith. The moment we think that we are violating the core of what we believe. Our ability to do anything good comes from the grace and mercy of the Father through our faith in Christ.

We must, however, be forbearing. I must love and value everyone because the Father does. It is through the power of the Holy Spirit that can do this. My thoughts, feelings, and actions must reflect this in a way that even if I disagree on something huge, there is no doubt in others that I love them.

All of the things we do relative to the world around us must reflect the love of Christ. We must be secure in our faith and from that security not place behavioral or philosophical expectations on those who do not share it. We do not have to agree, tolerate, or refrain from resisting what we know to be wrong. We do, however, have to maintain our truth and action in a way that does not violate our love for those with whom we disagree.

This means that we must be models of kindness, grace, mercy, and charity. I have to be the first to care for others no matter how much I disagree with their life choices. A great path to this is seeking out the ways in which we agree. I have to see the value in others and embrace it with love. If I embrace this attitude, I can avoid being offended and allow the Father to focus on the wrong. I can do my part and show love to those who disagree with the Father. It is not my place to judge and condemn others. It is my duty to love all humans like Father does and find in them that which the Father loves. It is in this that I can find the forbearance to wait as he draws them to himself. It is the love and forbearance that will create a path to peace, Dear Reader.

Prayer of Saint Francis – Sarah McLachlan

Lord, make me an instrument of Your peace;
Where there is hatred, let me sow love;
Where there is injury, pardon;
Where there is error, the truth;
Where there is doubt, the faith;
Where there is despair, hope;
Where there is darkness, light;
And where there is sadness, joy.
O Divine Master, Grant that I may not so much seek
To be consoled, as to console;
To be understood, as to understand;
To be loved as to love.
For it is in giving that we receive;
It is in pardoning that we are pardoned;

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.

“Where there is hatred, let me sow love.” - Prayer of Saint Francis

14 January 2021

Breakfast at Tiffany's ~ Diversity Proper

Greetings Dear Reader,

I have spoken before of the principle of IDIC. We live in a world where we celebrate and embrace diversity for the sake of diversity as long as it aligns with the values or faith we carry. True diversity is the spirit of our uniqueness.

Diversity for its own sake embraces and allows all things that align with its holders’ philosophies. I will use the pizza toppings analogy again. Everyone allows people to like his or her own pizza toppings until someone asks for pineapple. Then the division erupts and diversity is no longer neutral. If someone dares to like anchovies, there is even deeper division and condemnation. Some are so vexed by this difference that they will not even eat with those who violate the “right” philosophy of pizza toppings.

I think you see my point here. Diversity for the sake of diversity always hits the wall of prejudice and dies upon it. It does not matter where on the spectrum of liberal or conservative that wall, that will stands. We reject those who have philosophies that are too different than ours. The truth lies in the idea that diversity comes from outside of our creeds and philosophies. The Father creates IDIC in all things from snowflakes to humans. I think of it as Diversity Proper.

The difficulty is born when we put our own values, standards, and philosophies into the mix. The standards of the Father are what determine the value of Diversity Proper and our objections do not matter. We reject Diversity Proper when we fail to see that it exists within the love of the Father for all of creation. Our failures and foibles are a result of rejecting the Father and his rule of the cosmos.

We cannot be at peace with each other because we are not at peace with God. We fail to love the Diversity in us and create differences that do not align with the Creator. We hate, reject, and even war because of the counterfeit image we have created of what is good and right. Anything not rooted in love for the Father becomes a corrupt diversity that cannot be endured or sustained.

I must love and embrace everyone based on my love for the Father. This does not mean that I accept every philosophy as of equal value. It also means that I must not fail to love those who embrace counterfeit philosophies. I do not deny love, kindness, care, and compassion to those who have not accepted Christ and following him. I also cannot expect them to live within the truths of Diversity Proper which is free to be in infinite combinations within the governance of the Father. If I am to be a man of peace; a peacemaker, I must see, adopt, and live this in all of its possible combinations, Dear Reader. We can do this but not in our own power or will. It is the Spirit that works within us to both will and do according to the Father’s good pleasure. In that narrow way lies infinite diversity in infinite combinations and it is always beautiful.

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.

Infinite Diversity in Infinite Combinations is something we all have in common, so “that’s one thing we’ve got.”

13 January 2021

Breakfast at Tiffany's ~ Uniqueness and Differences

Greetings Dear Reader,

A few months ago, a friend was pondering her worth relative to the rest of the universe. Her pondering was on the losing side as she quipped, “Sure, I am unique, just like everybody else.” The problem with that truth is the application of it. The perspective is wrong.

As I explained to my friend, we think of the Father in the wrong way. At the core of it, when we view the world as an accident then we are a collection of parasites feeding off of our host and there is little value in us for the host. When we view the cosmos as created by an Intelligent Designer, however, we can see that God is an artist. We can see that he designs and creates billions of masterworks. Further, he creates in those works portraits of himself.

We are all unique but not just like everyone else. There may be others who look like me, have my personality, or even can be mistaken for me in a believable way. The deep truth is that no one is just like me. Each of us possesses something unique. Each of us is irreplaceable on the universal level.

Instead of looking at our uniqueness and reveling in it, we focus on our differences and use them as a divisive force. We choose to divide and fight over things that are either out of our control or resolvable if we just talk to each other. We go to war over differences that could be solved over lunch if we were willing.

That too is part of what makes us unique. We all have our own will and it is subject to our choices. It is governed by our desires and wants. We can choose to be at peace no matter the situation. Instead, we chose to be right, justified, and in control. We will kill over resources or let others starve because of where they come from.

If I am to walk a path of peace, I must see every human as a unique masterpiece created by the Father. That is a good plank in the foundation of loving every human soul. It is at the heart of seeing that everyone is worthy of my love and kindness. I must also accept that I have value. The Father loves us all uniquely and individually.

If we would all live in the implications of this truth, we could find more peace. We could care for each other better. It may be that we could get over our self-centeredness and begin to be better neighbors and friends. We could stop having enemies and meet the needs of those who lack. Our uniqueness is common ground.

If I am to follow Christ well, then I must see our differences as opportunities to discover the uniqueness in others. I must use that to find out what others need. I must harness this knowledge to create opportunities to love. That opportunity is one thing we always have, Dear Reader.

Wishing you joy in the journey,

Aramis Thorn

(͡° ͜ʖ ͡°)

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

“I am unique, just like everybody else.”

Thoughts and Questions from Aramis Thorn

21 January 2021

Responding to Anger ~ Violence

20 January 2021

Responding to Anger ~ Be Angry

19 January 2021

Second Thoughts ~ A Parable of Pizza

18 January 2021

Responding to Anger ~ Opening Thoughts

17 January 2021

16 January 2021

Breakfast at Tiffany's ~ Peacemakers

15 January 2021

14 January 2021

13 January 2021

Breakfast at Tiffany's ~ Uniqueness and Differences

Where to Find Me

About Me

Followers

Blog Archive

Thoughts and Questions from Aramis Thorn

21 January 2021

Responding to Anger ~ Violence

20 January 2021

Responding to Anger ~ Be Angry

19 January 2021

Second Thoughts ~ A Parable of Pizza

18 January 2021

Responding to Anger ~ Opening Thoughts

17 January 2021

16 January 2021

Breakfast at Tiffany's ~ Peacemakers

15 January 2021

14 January 2021

13 January 2021

Breakfast at Tiffany's ~ Uniqueness and Differences

Where to Find Me

Subscribe To

About Me

Followers

Blog Archive