Sheila's Dribs 'n Drabs

In Celebration of Thanksgiving and this week's wonderful  Festival of Drabbles  Follow the link and join in all the fun! 14. Ten Commandments Aaron stood by the fire at the base of the mountain. The people were afraid, their leader gone, hopes lost; they'd dreamed of more... Released from Egypt on eagles' wings, seas parting to let them pass, deserts giving sustenance born of the nectar of God... But now the heavens warred and foreign armies, shouting praise to strange gods, marched before them, armed for battle. The gold that Aaron tossed on the flames burned into the shape of a calf. But even as the people cried, Moses returned. And God who saved them gave a finer gift—the gift of law. Thank you God for your laws and for making life make sense.

In Celebration of Thanksgiving and this week's wonderful  Festival of Drabbles . 100 words can say an awful lot. 13. Fire and Smoke Night fell. The smoke from the mountain turned to fire, red sparks like stars in the roaring sky, earth trembling, people quivering with fear. “No further,” said Moses. “Here’s where we camp.” And he sent them to wash in the river that watered the plain, to prepare their clothes and their bodies and their gifts. Dawn came. The mountain-top was clothed with darkness, roiling and black. Thunder roared and lightning flashed its darts. The rocks vibrated to trumpet blasts that bellowed louder and longer through the ground. “Wait,” said Moses as the people gathered round. Then he listened to God. Thank you God for allowing us to listen to you.

In Celebration of Thanksgiving and this week's wonderful  Festival of Drabbles . Join us; just follow the link! 12. Red Sea Crossing They hurried down the hill to the water, dust in the air from soldiers chasing after them. “Faster, faster” they cried. But they found the shore road blocked by chariots from the North and they were trapped. Moses stood by the sea and prayed. Mothers counted children, and herdsmen their flocks; fruit in heavy baskets; treasures in bags to pay for water. They had all they needed except a way to escape. And a cold wind blew—louder than armies, wilder than arrows in the sky; wind like a sword that cut the sea in half and set them free. Thank you God for your awesome power.

In Celebration of Thanksgiving and this week's wonderful  Festival of Drabbles . Follow the link and try your hand at writing your own drabbles too. 11. Passover “Why are we standing up to eat?” “Because God told us to.” “But why?” Their bags were packed, their animals herded into pens and ready to go. Blood from the sacrifice smeared their doors, and now they ate hurriedly, as if embarking on a journey before dawn. Outside the wind’s low wail turned to mourning and weeping. Suddenly the messenger was running through the streets. “Pharaoh said ‘Yes.’ Quick now. It’s time to go.” “Why do we have to leave?” “Because God says so. Because we’re free.” “And why are the Egyptians giving us their treasures?” “They’re glad we’re going.” Thank you God for your perfect timing.

In Celebration of Thanksgiving and this week's  Festival of Drabbles . Follow the link for lots more drabbles and the chance to join in the fun! 10. Mourning in Egypt “Did you hear what he did?” “What?” “Killed a guy!” The news spread fast. The Egyptian Jew had murdered an Egyptian guard. “He’ll get us all killed.” “Nah, we’ll be okay. I heard he’d run away.” “Did you hear what he said? Aaron’s brother.” “He’s back?” “Yes—he says God spoke to him out of a bush. Says we’re going to go free.” “I’ll believe it when I see it.” “Did you hear?” “Hear what?” “Moses and Aaron, they went to the Pharaoh. They’re really gonna do it.” “God’s going to do it you mean. He’s heard us at last.” Thank you God for your care, and for listening to our complaints.

In Celebration of Thanksgiving and this week's wonderful  Festival of Drabbles 9. Rejoicing in Egypt Trapped by soldiers, they had no choice but to return. Accused by pharaoh’s man, they had no defense. Betrayed again by friendship’s  pretense , the brothers marched in chains on desert sand. From dusty field to towering citadel; through golden gates to tapestried halls; from freedom to imprisonment, till they stood at the throne and begged, “Take me, not Ben.” Then the foreign lord hugged the youngest, son of his mother, dearest to his soul. “What you meant for ill, God made for good,” said Joseph, and welcomed them all. So the family were fed and found safety in Egypt ’s land. Thank you God  for the mystery and wonder of your plans.

In Celebration of Thanksgiving and the Festival of Drabbles - starting tomorrow! 8. Flight of Jacob This time, Jacob knew he’d gone too far. He ran away. Every stone that settled behind unsettled him. Was his brother there? Every darting bird might be a slingshot expertly thrown. Every shadow might hide the shape of Jacob’s death. Because Esau was the hunter, the skillful one, and Jacob was tired. Night fell. He stopped to raise his tent, watching the stars until his eyes grew heavy. Then angels climbed their ladder overhead on the road to heaven. Not too far after all, thought Jacob; God was watching him still. And angel wings would beat to guard his path. Thank you God for your protection.

In Celebration of Thanksgiving and the Festival of Drabbles - don't miss the festival, starting Monday! 7. Abraham’s Sons “Don’t you have a brother?” said the father’s new wife. “He should come.” And it sounded like a favor, as if Isaac and Ishmael didn’t pass messages all the time as traders went by. Of course he’d travel to his father’s burial. The years had kept the brothers apart till the other sons barely knew Ishmael existed. But now they all gazed at the graves. “He’s peaceful,” said Isaac. “No more wars. No arguments.” Ishmael turned, refusing to look at the place where Sara lay. The hurt of years still burned in his dark eyes. No more wars—not today. Thank you God for forgiveness and healing and hope.

In Celebration of Thanksgiving and the Festival of Drabbles  - Don't miss it. The festival starts on Monday! 6. Abraham’s Sacrifice The boy was tired of carrying his heavy load. “Just a bit further.” His father sighed. “Till when.” “Till we reach where we’re going.” They piled the wood near the edge of a cliff and looked out over the plain. “Why did we come here?” “God told us to.” “Like when he told you to send my brother away?” Then they stacked stones into an altar, piling the kindling on top. “Where’s the sacrifice Dad?” “God will provide,” his father replied with sorrow tearing his eyes, then he laughed again. “God has provided.” A ram stood waiting to be slain. Thank you God for all that you have provided, still provide, and will provide.

In Celebration of Thanksgiving and the Festival of Drabbles 5. Melchisedek The king looked out over the plains where soldiers too numerous to count were filing by. “Keep watch,” he told his royal guard. “They’ll not climb up to us here.” Mobs of violent tribesmen followed, hardy and wild. “Keep watch,” said the king. “They’ll not climb up to us here.” Then sounds of fighting shattered the sky, tribesmen and soldiers, bright swords, screams like eagles, and clattering thunder like hooves. The rag-taggle nomads returned in triumph and the king went out with bread and wine to meet them. “God has blessed you,” Jerusalem ’s king greeted Abraham. “Always,” was the reply. Thank you God for food and drink, good fortune and godly blessing.

In Celebration of Thanksgiving and the Festival of Drabbles 4. Tower of Babel The children of town and gown, of farmers, traders and fishermen ran round the building site. They pretended to be animals, angels and demons, or fairy folk. And the tower grew taller and higher every day. “We’re going to climb all the way up to heaven.” “Then we’ll see God.” “Maybe angels.” “Or monsters instead.” When the children argued it always ended in another chasing game. When the grown-ups argued, traders broke agreements with fishermen. Farmers got into fights with professors. Then they stopped building their tower, and never found out if there was a God in heaven after all. Thank you God for the gifts of all our different languages and cultures.

In Celebration of Thanksgiving and the Festival of Drabbles ... 3. Noah’s Ark “I’m hungry,” cried the boy. “Soon,” said his mother. “But I’m hungry now.” The ship had sailed through rain and flood while their village and all they knew was washed away—nothing left but the clothes they wore and animals crying out in the bowels of the boat. “I’m hungry.” They landed on a hill-top where Noah’s altar scented the air with the savor of roasting meat. “Mommy, cook for us too.” But the animals, dead and drowned on the ground were forbidden, and the beasts from the ark had run away. They shared God’s meal and promised to obey. Thank you God for the wisdom to learn what’s safe and what will harm us.

In Celebration of Thanksgiving and the  Festival of Drabbles 2. End of Eden The air was warm; the sky was clear; the rain fell softly in due season. Berries ripened on bending trees, scenting the air with the savor and flavor of food. Sweetness and light was Eden ’s delight, and the only rule was to obey the Lord. “But why obey?” whispered the secret, slithering voice. “Why not make your own new laws? Why should somebody else be in charge of you?” The air was hot; flames poured from the ground; gray ashes rained from the sky. “You’ve set your rules,” said the voice of the one who knew. “Now live by them.” Thank you God for freedom and failure  and forgiveness.

In Celebration of Thanksgiving and the Festival of Drabbles 1. Creation In the beginning, God said “Let there be light.” God’s word created time and space. God’s word made galaxies, stars and planets, watered the ground, planted seeds, and defined the laws that cleared the cloudy skies. God’s word designed the insects, fish and birds, made animals and man. And then God spoke to man and told him how it all began. In the beginning, God kept it all in balance, all of time and space and nature, every plant and every living thing, every atom, every molecule, every constant, every law. In the beginning, God saw, and it was good. Thank you God for science and nature and life  and the wonders of creation.

Are you going to the Festival of Drabbles? Will you read short stories, at 100 words apiece, and find the best of short short writing available on the internet? Will you join these short short writers and add your own pieces - there's even a competition? It all takes place from November 9th through 15th, on the world-wide internet, so... find out more at  http://thecultofme.blogspot.com/2015/08/festival-of-drabbles-2015.html and join the Facebook Event at  https://www.facebook.com/events/375605662648575/ What are you waiting for? Meanwhile, to celebrate the event, I'm going to post a drabble a day from my my Thanksgiving drabble book, all through November. Join me on a virtual journey through history - no religious conviction required - from Eden's alpha to Eternity's omega. Hope to see you along the way. Or I guess you could buy the book and get there before me :) http://www.amazon.com/Thanksgiving-Eden-Eternity-words-Bible-ebook/dp/B00DUQ5HWC/ on kindl...