God, the "Great Iconoclast."
  • Alma Turner
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The Gospel of Thomas

Sayings of Jesus: 94, 95, 96


Saying 94
Jesus said: "Whoever seeks will find. Whoever knocks, it will be opened. 

What a bold and beautiful promise completely echoed in the Big Book, "God could and would if sought." In the original manuscript the words read, "God can and will if sought." It is in the seeking, the process, that God is found, uncovered. It is not unconditional, "IF sought." How do I seek God? Through living the 12 Steps, attending meetings and listening, through service work. What have I found? ALWAYS something beyond what I know, a connectedness, humility, shared humanity, sense of Presence even when, or especially when, starting from a place of deep deep despair, cynicism, or confusion. "It will be opened." I knock by surrendering to God"s way of life. 

​
Saying 95
Jesus said: If you have some money, don't lend it out at interest but give it to someone who will not return it to you.

So easy to loan to those who can pay back. GIVE IT to someone who WILL NOT return it to you. I ask people not to return it to me if that is what comes to do, assure the door is closed. That way, my eye is not on remuneration. If someone insists on paying back, at times I surrender to their will but maintain my intent to expect nothing back. This is a very concrete way for me to trust God. It belongs to God so I release it and my needs have always been cared for. When I hold on, the financial fear returns. 


Saying 96
​
Jesus said: The kingdom of the father is like a woman who took a little yeast and concealed it in dough. She made large loaves of bread. He who has ears let him hear.

I sponsor a beautiful young woman at a point in my sobriety when I had lost all expectation that anyone would do the work, have an experience, and in turn share it with others. So many had vanished. So much time had been poured into alcoholics who took and never gave back. And then, I turned around and this person was having a vital experience, was sharing, sponsoring, talking about her new experience boldly. The yeast was in the dough and rising. Large loaves have ensued. Her sponsees sponsor. They share enthusiastically. The original beautiful woman continues to grow in honesty and bear fruit. Surprised by joy! Surprised that "a little yeast" hidden in dough rose into large loaves. 

Picture
  • Alma Turner
    • Alma Turner
    • Site Overview
    • Alma's Blessings
  • 12 Steps
    • Step 1: Humility >
      • Step One Questions
    • Step 2: Hope
    • Step 3: Faith
    • Step 4: Honesty
    • Step 5: Trust
    • Step 6: Willingness
    • Step 7: Surrender
    • Step 8: Forgiveness
    • Step 9: Justice >
      • Amend White to Black
    • Step 10: Perseverance >
      • Fear Watch
    • Step 11: Contact
    • Step 12: Service
  • Poems, Prayers, Music
    • Beloved Poems by Others >
      • I Stand at the Door by Sam Shoemaker
      • The Guest House by Rumi
      • The Invitation by Oriah
      • Invictus
      • Elohai Neshama
    • Poems by Alma >
      • Poems 2017-2020
      • Poems 2021 >
        • Prayer Poems
        • Poems Early 2021
        • Poems September 2021
        • Poems October 2021
        • Parables and Songs
        • Clay Haiku
      • Newer Poems
      • Injustice Poems
    • Big Book Prayers
    • Music >
      • Roberta Flack
      • Marvin Gaye
  • more
    • Rowdy Beauties >
      • Rowdy Beauties Bible Study N'awlins
      • Rowdy Beauties Bible Study Zoom
      • Rowdy Beauties Resouces >
        • Resources for Chapters 1-4
    • Disciplines >
      • Fasting
      • Lectio Divina and Centering Prayer
      • Reading!
      • 12 White Steps
    • The Gospel of Thomas
    • Psalms >
      • Psalms 23, 46, 91, 139
      • Psalms 121, 1, and 32
    • Bible Thoughts >
      • Genesis >
        • High Priest
        • Jacob is Israel.
      • Prophets >
        • Isaiah 30
        • Isaiah 54
        • Jeremiah 31:31-35
      • Frederick Douglas
      • Jesus >
        • Brown or Black
        • Teacher
        • Son of Man
        • Activist
        • High Priest
        • Innocent
        • Lynched
        • Alive
        • Sayings >
          • Sayings 1-3
          • Sayings 4-6
          • Sayings 7-9
          • Sayings 10-12
          • Sayings 13-15
          • Sayings 16-18
          • Sayings 19-21
          • Sayings 22-24
          • Sayings 25-27
          • Sayings 28-30
          • Sayings 31-33
          • Sayings 34-36
          • Sayings 37, 38, 39
          • Sayings 40, 41, 42
          • Sayings 43, 44, 45
          • Sayings 46, 47, 48
          • Sayings 49, 50, 51
          • Sayings 52, 53, 54
          • Sayings 55, 56, 57
          • Sayings 58, 59, 60
          • Sayings 61, 62, 63
          • Sayings 64, 65, 66
          • Sayings 73, 74, 75
          • Sayings 76, 77, 78
          • Sayings 100, 101, 102
          • Sayings 103, 104, 105
          • Sayings 106, 107, 108
          • Sayings 109, 110, 111
          • Sayings 112, 113, 114
    • The Symbol >
      • The Circle and Triangle
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