Thomas Web-Zine
Past Issues for 2010
On Being a Monakhós, a ‘Loner’
(November 2010)
Over the last few years there has been strong moves towards recognition of the individual. In commerce we see the rise of personalization and customization with the chant of “have it as you want it”. It is however an illusion. Most people tend to follow the attitudes, thinking, opinions, and actions of others rather than appear to be ‘different’.
Do you do feel ‘different’? If you do, then you may on the road to become a true individual: a Monakhós to whom Jesus speaks directly more...
Questions, Questions!
(September 2010)
Nearly 20% of the sayings in 'Thomas' are in the form of questions and answers, often answers that are least expected. This form of teaching was the most common approach when little was written and few could read. And the oral tradition lives on today in many forms but it is most effective in smaller groups consisting of an expert and a number of students; we use the terms Master and Disciple in the context of spiritual teaching. more...
Influence & Inspiration
(July 2010)
Every day we are bombarded by all kinds of media trying to influence our thoughts and behaviour. TV celebrities recommend products, newspapers mix fact with opinion to the extent that we are no longer able to discern the truth. In the art world, Old Masters set up schools where students learned all the techniques through copying and completing their master’s work. It's not actual copying, more a varitaion-on-a-theme; there is little inspiration. more...
Well, Well, Well
(May 2010)
We take water for granted in our homes;
turn on a tap or faucet and clean water gushes forth. Without such water we
would feel our civilization was falling apart. Yet for many in the developing
world, this lack of clean water is their daily concern.
Water and wells appear in 'Thomas' but perhaps with much deeper meanings more
...
Jesus and the Pizza Restaurant
(March 2010)
There's a recent newspaper story about a small pizza restaurant in New York City. The chef and his wife are passionate about providing excellent pizzas for the local community. All ingredients are from the best organic sources and each pizza is hand-made to order.
Find out why this story reflects Jesus and his teachings more ...
Post-Christmas Blues
(January 2010)
In the crescendo of activities leading up to Christmas day we can all be so busy trying to meet so many expectations that our emotions become jangled. In this post-holiday period we can only now reflect on the possible feelings of frustration, irritation, and perhaps even anger we saw in others and perhaps ourselves!
