Wednesday, June 10, 2020
HAPPY 31ST TO KELISHA! With Jesus of Thomas
6/10/2020
Hello, Everyone!
My second oldest granddaughter, Kelisha, turns 31 today.
So, HAPPY BIRTHDAY, KELISHA!
But I would like to use this opportunity to offer a new Jesus
to those who might appreciate such.
Let me offer a book and a video about it.
The book I published a few years ago is called
JESUS ACCORDING TO THOMAS & MARY - AND ME.
The video (DVD) series is called
A NATURALIST'S LOOK AT JESUS.
That one I did in 2002, but have recently
made it available via Amazon - as is the book:
JESUS ACCORDING TO THOMAS & MARY - AND ME.
Let me comment about that "about me" part of it.
I believe that we all interpret things in a different way.
My interpretation of THE GOSPEL OF THOMAS must be
different than another's interpretation; and that is why I added
AND ME to my title of my book about the Jesus of Thomas.
Be that as it may, it is all "out there" for anyone
who cares to take the time to review it.
I am nude in volumes 2, 3, and 4 of my series called
A NATURALIST'S LOOK AT JESUS simply because
I Believe life is right and should be embraced, not shunned,
and I think the Jesus of Thomas would applaud it
if nudity is embraced for love of God, but I am clothed like you all
in volume 1. Volume 1 is really an introduction to
volumes 2, 3, and 4 - and probably should be viewed
before viewing the other volumes. Then if one takes to
volume 1, then go forward with the other volumes.
I would like to recommend, however, getting the book too;
and when viewing my earlier interpretation of a verse
of THE GOSPEL OF THOMAS in the video series,
take out the book and review my written interpretation.
Time changes things - and interpretations evolve
with time. Thus, knowing that, view my first interpretation
from the video series - and then take out the book
and "review" the same verse as is offered in my book.
Can't beat that? Right?
I am working, however, to making the introduction DVD
of the current A NATURALIST'S LOOK AT JESUS
available on a single volume basis.
Then if one cares for that introductory argument,
then he or she or they can order the entire series.
Let me just say, I am working on it; but you can
order the entire series right now if you wish -
and then view volume 1 and go from there.
You can have the entire series at hand if you want -
or you can wait until I make a volume 1 available
all by itself. Hopefully by the end of June,
I can get that done. I will let you know when
it is done.
If you want to know more, then go to Amazon,
put in my name in a search bar and scroll down
to whichever item that interests you - or might interest you -
book or video or both.
But what a book - THE GOSPEL OF THOMAS!
It is one of those rare items of history that tells
a different story of Jesus that was sidelined by authorities
in the 4th Century. Until 1945, no one knew anything
about it; but in 1945, a peasant stumbled on to an ancient
script hidden in a cave since the 4th Century when it was banned.
It was hidden in a cave off the Nile River in Egypt.
That poor peasant had no idea what he found,
but luckily he took it to another and that other
recognized it as a potential landmine of thought.
Theoretically, it was written by a fellow called
Didymos Judas Thomas - who was thought to be
one of the 12 Apostles of Jesus.
In 1979, a fellow programmer name Russ Pope
gave me my first copy - and wow, have I been blessed!
Dear Russ gave me a gold mine - and I have tried to live it
ever since. Call me Lucky - or Foolish -
but whatever I am, I am a Believer;
and I have tried since 1979 to find a way to
share the gift of a lifetime.
And so that is what I am doing with this offer -
continuing an effort to share the single most wonderful
book I have had the fortune to have.
I am not saying that you or anyone else will find it the gold mine
I have found it to be, but you might.
Kelisha, I offer it to you on your 31st Birthday -
and everyone else.
I can see a day when THE GOSPEL OF THOMAS
will be acclaimed as much as The Gospels of
Mathew, Mark, Luke, and John.
I think it will happen simply because when
people listen to the Jesus of Thomas
and compare what is said to rational thought,
the Jesus of Thomas will become the giant
it should have been long, long, ago.
It was probably banned because of its "rational approach"
to life, but there a lot of "rationalists" around - like me -
and maybe you.
Pastors I know, Carl, Tom, Sally, Don, and Nathan -
and all other pastors - take a chance.
Put on some "spiritualogical glasses"
as I call it in the introductory volume of
A RATIONALIST'S LOOK AT JESUS -
and share it with your parish.
Take some time to study it first -
and then decide its worth. OK?
If you do not like the nudity aspect of
the video series, then view my introductory volume
and bypass the rest; and then with book in hand,
have at it. You do not need the video.
The book will do just fine - if that be your choice.
Enough for Now!
Onward!
Be in touch as you wish -
and come to love a gem in THE GOSPEL OF THOMAS -
if you dare!
Again, Happy Birthday, Kelisha!
Thanks for Listening!
Gently,
Francis William Bessler
Laramie, Wyoming
and supportive wife, Nancy Shaw.