Ephus and the Praying Bushel
Ephus Tells the Easter Story
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An older grey-haired man clad in a dirty white robe and a tan mantle spoke out from the crowd, saying “It sounds as though you were laboring hard, but mark my word, there is dedication in honest labor.”
“I remembered that he had offered a neighbor the use of some jars, from my store, and trudged back to the storeroom. I retrieved four nice sized jars, placed them in the net-like carrier, and walked out my storeroom.”
“That was most generous of you”, said someone.
“There, in the middle of the flagstoned road, stood a black and brown and white mottled goat, chewing the remnants of an unknown cud. As I approached, the goat moved directly into my path. Surprised, your servant Ephus swerved to the right, and the goat nimbly stepped back in front of me. I hopped to the left, and the goat hopped, stubbornly, right in front of me.”
The older man in the front of the crowd spoke again.
“Well, when you move to do the will of God, isn’t that often when Satan will suddenly be right in front of you?”
Yes, oh, yes”, said the crowd, agreeing!
“The goat lowered his head and shook his sharp-appearing horns at me. He pawed at the road, as if to charge.”
“We all know the devil works through fear and intimidation. Did he not even try to tempt the Nazarene, Jesus?” Ephus looked about through the crowd, as heads bobbed up and down in affirmation.
“Unfortunately, I was somewhat intimidated! I lowered the jars in front of myself, and began to sidle by the goat, to the left, with the mass of pottery vessels between myself and the evil acting goat.”
“The goat charged! I thrust the jars in the animal’s direction, there was a great clatter and clash, and I leaped to my neighbor’s gate, and slipped inside, pulling the netted jars behind me.”
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About the Book
Ephus bar Isaiah appears in print, for the first time in: Ephus bar Isaiah and the Praying Bushel "The Nazarene"
The dramatic time travelling first century Christian storyteller
Man of God, follower of Jesus, Cushite Jew, vine tender of first-century Roman Palestine. Journey back through time, to the days of the formation of the early Christian church, and walk with Ephus bar Isaiah, the follower of Jesus. as he travels the byways of first century Jerusalem, dedicatedly following
Meet Ephus' friends, Halakah bar Solomon and Ebenezer the Wealthy, and of course, the always present Yellow Dog, and follow them through their Christ-led, and often humorous adventures, as they learn to walk with Jesus, and develop their own ministries, in the streets of Jerusalem and various nearby lands and villages.
Ephus bar Isaiah now moves from live dramatic presentations into storybook form, transforming the stories which have touched the lives of so many into beautifully funny written parables for the 21st Century Christian reader.
This book is totally amusing; totally exciting, and thought provoking! An especially wonderful book for children; but, great for all ages!
About the Author
Robert Paul Berry was born in San Francisco, California in 1951, raised in the East Bay city of Richmond, California. He graduated with a BA from University of California at Berkeley, California. He served in the United States Army and was a qualified Airborne-Ranger, attaining the rank of Captain prior to returning to civilian life. He married his late wife, Barbara, with whom he had three children, all of whom are now grown.
During his time in the service, he began to write, initially developing a project which entailed a Christian Science Fiction/Fantasy novel. Four years ago Robert was called to develop the character, Ephus bar Isaiah. He has performed the character live at numerous churches of various denominations in the San Francisco Bay Area.
Robert presently lives with his current wife, Toni, in Martinez, California. Ephus and the Praying Bushel is his first book.