Pray For the Peace of Jerusalem
I promised two stories today, involving some very strange connections. Here Goes:
1. I will NOT wear this hat!" said my little four-year-old brother.
"But Tommy," Mom pleaded, rescuing the checked tweed deerstalker cap from the floor, "It's such a NICE hat, and you look so cute in it!"
"I don't want to be cute," said Tommy. "Cute is for girls. I'm a BOY!"
Well, this was going to make us all late for church, and it was Easter Sunday. So the checked tweed deerstalker cap ended up in the charity bin.
A year later, at the Kindergarten, Mom sat with with the other 1950's moms in their finery, watching the children dance around the maypole.
"Awwww...look at that poor unfortunate child sitting next to the piano player." whispered a woman in the audience." He must be sick or crippled and can't dance around with the other children."
"That's my SON" said Mom. "We call him 'Doubting Thomas'. He's refusing to dance around the Maypole because he said it was STUPID. And you know what? I think he's right!"
2. It is tradition that The Apostle Thomas took the Gospel all the way to India. This tradition may or may not be the truth, but there are a few Christian communities in India that claim that they were founded by this stubborn and skeptical Apostle. (One would have to be EXTREMELY stubborn and skeptical to take the Gospel to India).
Now let's fast-forward to December 1945 to Nag Hammadi, Egypt. In 1945 the World had a lot more on its mind than an archaeological dig in Egypt, but a cache of ancient documents was discovered there, among which was the non-canonical "Gospel of Thomas", alleged to have been written by the Very Apostle to India, Doubting Thomas.
Now, Fast Forward yet again to The release of the Beatles album "Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band" on May 26, 1967. The first track on side two was by George, who had been taking Classical Sitar Lessons from Ravi Shankar, and getting into Indian Philosophy. The name of the song was "Within You and Without You."
Now. As you may recall, I worked in a seminary book store in the early eighties. I had access to a lot of books that were not exactly readily available to the general public...and I tried to read 'em all. One of these was "The Gospel of Thomas."
Right away, the book did not "FEEL" like a Holy Spirit inspired work. But that was OK...I kept reading out of curiosity.
Then a line leaped from the page:
"The Kingdom of God is Within You and Without You."
Did George get this line from the "Gospel of Thomas"? Did the author of the "Gospel of Thomas" get this line from Hindu Philosophy?
I guess we will never know, but it was an interesting thought.
The most complete insight into The Apostle Thomas is given to us in John's Gospel. His Loyalty, Stubbornness, Skepticism, and Practicality are all expressed in John's Account.
Oh, and By The Way, my brother Tom STILL does not put up with speculations, rumors, or other kinds of nonsense, but he knows the Truth when he sees it.
Come and Pray For the Peace of Jerusalem, For Our FRiends in Need, For Persecuted Believers, and For Our Beloved Nation.
"The counsel of the LORD stands forever, The plans of His heart from generation to generation. Blessed is the nation whose God is the LORD, The people whom He has chosen for His own inheritance..” Psalm 33 NASB
God Bless America!
Blessings To All Who Visit This Garden of Prayer.
This Symbol Represents Christians in The Middle East, who desperately need our Prayers.
Hallelujah and Amen
ML/LTOS