(This is the third in a five-part short story by Jim Brewer called "Let Down Your Nets")   There was a knock and Nathan went to the door. It was Simon. “What, sir, can I help you with,” Nathan asked. “May I speak to your mother, Shaina,” Simon responded. “I have a favor to ask.” Shaina had been baking bread as the next day was the Sabbath, but went quickly to greet … [Read more...]

  (This is the second in a five-part short story by Jim Brewer “Let Down Your Nets”) The nets were the lifeblood of the fisherman of Galilee. Maybe even more important than the boats, the nets captured the fish. Their strength and durability were critical. And the nets that Shaina made were superb, the envy of every fisherman in Capernaum. To construct the finest nets, Shaina relied on … [Read more...]

  I have written a short story: Let Down Your Nets. Like the first such story I wrote – While Shepherds Watched – it is based on a Biblical account, but with fictional characters – my thoughts on how it might have been at that time. I will print each of the five chapters in CvilleBuzz, beginning this week. I hope you enjoy it.     Nathan: A Young … [Read more...]

    What a great Christmas carol. Odds are we have heard or sung “Joy to The World” a thousand times. We may have even sung it on this Christmas morning. Yet, I wonder if we fully comprehend the word “Joy”. What exactly does it mean. Happiness? Gladness? Great pleasure?  C.S. Lewis didn’t think so. Lewis, a British writer and lay theologian, once described Joy as the … [Read more...]

While Shepherds Watched, Part IV by Jim Brewer   Amos was now alone, a sole shepherd guarding the sheep, as the others departed hastily towards Bethlehem in search of the newborn King, the Anointed One of God. The Angels had come and gone, leaving the shepherds with amazement and joy. The Messiah, promised from the beginning of time, had been born that night in Bethlehem. But someone … [Read more...]

  The Glory of the Lord   Amos, a young shepherd from Judaea was guarding the gate of the sheepfold while his father, Benjamin, and Shimron, his uncle, were asleep. The three shepherds had 98 sheep in their flock, intended to be sold as sacrificial lambs to the worshippers in the temple in Jerusalem at Passover. The flock had just been moved to pastures outside Bethlehem where … [Read more...]

  Tending Special Sheep   Amos, his father Benjamin and his uncle Shimron had just finished driving their sheep herd some ten miles to the outskirts of Bethlehem. Two other groups of shepherds were using the same ancient fold erected from stones as the shepherds settled into their open quarters that cold, clear winter night. Amos, a young man of 14, had placed his bedding at the … [Read more...]

While Shepherds Watched, Part IV   Amos was now alone, a sole shepherd guarding the sheep, as the others departed hastily towards Bethlehem in search of the newborn King. The Angels had come and gone, leaving the shepherds with amazement and joy. The Messiah, promised from the beginning of time, had been born that night in Bethlehem. But young Amos thought someone had to stay and … [Read more...]

(Part II of a IV Part story: While Shepherds Watched) Amos, a young shepherd from Judaea was guarding the gate of the sheepfold while his father, Benjamin, and Shimron, his uncle, slept. The three shepherds had 98 sheep in their flock, intended to be sold as sacrificial lambs to the worshippers in the temple in Jerusalem at Passover. There were two other smaller flocks in the fold with their … [Read more...]