The “Thirty Minute Series” of Short Stories:

Story 1. Two mites were more than enough. ‘It was sad to see their young faces anxiously watching for her return each day. The thought was never far from their young minds, that she, like their parents, would somehow desert them, and not return home one day. However, when they saw her coming, the joy on their small faces was enough to make the weariness drop off Tishbeth’s shoulders. She would watch them running up the street in wild abandon to welcome her home. No matter what had happened, or how arduous the day had been, this was most definitely the best part of her day. They would clamor for her attention as they told of their day of playing in the street, or what they had learned at the local rabbi’s little school. She would smile at their antics, and affectionately pat them on their heads, or offer words of encouragement, as she hugged them, over and over…. However, unbeknown to her, she has a secret admirer…..and God’s attention.
Story 2. A parent’s heart. “Oh dear Father, please keep your hand on our son, Jay. You know him, and you know that he is a little misguided, and has gotten in with the wrong sort of people over the years, but we ask for your infinite love, grace, and mercy towards him. Draw him to yourself, dear Savior, and let him know that you love him, even more than we do, and you know we love our son dearly.” Just over a thousand miles away, in a tavern in a little town 60 miles from the foothills of the Cascades, Jay stood at the bar buying a pitcher of beer. “Hey Jay, get me a pack of Marlboro fire sticks as well, will ya!” Chevy called over to him. Jay turned back to the barman and asked for the pack of cigarettes. “Thanks buddy”, Chevy said as the beer and cigarettes arrived at the table. “Yeah, no problem,” Jay responded, and sat down at the beer stained wooden table. He poured two glasses of beer for them, and picking his up, sipped thoughtfully. Chevy watched his friend, because tonight he had a strange look on his face, then he ventured the question, “You okay Jay?” There was no immediate reply, for Jay was lost in thought. Although, unaware of at the time, he had an appointment with Jesus, the Son of God, and was being led down the road towards that meeting.
Story 3. Lest ye be like a little child. It was the cock crowing that woke Zacharias up from a fitful sleep. It normally did. The cock had responded to the rising sun, like so many shards of gold that pierced the clear dawn sky, over the Judean foothills. Zacharias stretched the cold and stiffness out of his thin twelve year old frame. He quickly checked on his little sister, for he loved her dearly. She had been unwell for some time. ‘As he sat on the wall beside the well in the marketplace where he had been searching for any work available, he jumped down, and drew water for the stranger who approached, surrounded by a clamoring crowd of people. He proceeded to wash the stranger’s feet; he had nothing else to offer. It was an act that would bring untold blessings to him, his family, and employer.
Story 4. A man of faith. Centurion Aquillius Verillia stood looking down from the window into the courtyard of the Governor’s common hall, with its banners hanging over the walls with the golden head of Augustus Tiberius Caesar embellished on them. He watched with satisfaction, as the noonday patrol marched out through the arched gates onto the Jerusalem streets. He had implemented his early warning system of approaching patrols, by having a drummer beating cadence at the front of the squad, as they marched through the streets. The reason he had implemented the procedure, was that he had recently witnessed the overly heavy handed method that the troops used on people who did not clear out of their way in time. The soldiers seemed to enjoy, what they classified as ‘sport’. It was of no consequence to the soldiers if the people fell on stalls, on other people, or onto the cobbled streets. On another occasion, he had seen his infantrymen push through the unsuspecting crowd, and knock a little girl to the ground. She had fallen and dashed her head on the cobblestones. He saw her being carried off unconscious, amidst grumblings from the crowd, and looks of outrage, and shear hostility, towards the callous soldiers. He did not blame the people, only the circumstance. The little girl was about the same age as his daughter, and he hoped she would be okay…She was the daughter of a man named Jairus! Then, he met the Son of God. The One True God.
Story 5. Come on old timer. Maria looked back at Benjamin to see if the climb up Mt Soledad in San Diego, had left him short of breath. He was fine, but jokingly grumbled that she was younger than him. They had been married over fifty years. Quite unexpectedly, he was left a widow, and just gave up on life. While in a comma, he found himself in heaven, where he was commissioned to come back to earth, and reach out to the lost. He reluctantly came back, but was always amazed that God had prepared hearts, and lives, ready for reaping.
Story 6. Render unto Caesar. “If that Nazarene comes back and tries to ‘steal’ away ‘my’ fishermen, like he did with old Zebedee’s sons, then he will know what trouble is,” Solomon, of Bethsaida, muttered, to no one in particular. Anyway, he was not happy just to be a small fish in a small pond, and longed for a more ‘rewarding’ way of life. One that would add more gold coins to his hoarded ‘family’. “Peter go down to the lake, and cast in your hook, and pull out a fish, it will have a coin in its mouth. Take it and give it for your, and my tax” Jesus instructed. Solomon sold up and moved to Jerusalem, where his brothers were traders and money-lenders, and entered into a new way of life. One that he chose, although warned against, by Jesus, the Christ. He would have to live with his choice for eternity, as would the beggar, Lazarus.
Story 7. But what are they amongst so many? “Sir, we brought these two loaves, and five fishes for you to eat. You looked so tired,” the two young boys said. “Thank you kindly my friends. It was very thoughtful of you both. Now what can I do for you in return?” Jesus asked. Little did they know, that from that day on, their lives would be forever changed! “Stephen looked up at the sky and saw the Throne of God and Jesus beckoning him home, as the rocks hit his head and body. “Father forgive them” he said, then he fell asleep. Saul of Tarsus, watched in anger. ‘The condemned man was not supposed to ‘forgive’ his killers’ he hissed under his breath. A few days later, he was on the road to root out another ‘Christian’ sect in Damascus, when he met the One he was persecution.