400 Years of Silence: Duet Play

400 Years of Silence

Photography Gallery Available at the Bottom of the Post

Scene I

Manasseh (exclaiming):Brother Naaman! What are you doing reading that old thing? It’s

been four-hundred years since that God of yours proclaimed anything to his people – resign this insanity of yours!

Naaman: Insane I may be, but these prophesies that Isaiah speaks of…

Manasseh (aggravated): Forget the prophesies! Those were simply lies devised by the old kings of Israel.

Naaman (reasoning): If that is so, why would the kings seek their own destruction? It is by God alone that…

Manasseh (exasperated): I relent brother, I relent! (off-stage) I leave you to this self-ordained madness!

Naaman (to himself): My brother may not believe, but I feel the spirit of the Lord is strongly manifested on this night. God will not be quiet forever, He will come after His lost sheep.

Scene II

Narrator: Today was the day of Caesar Augustus’ fateful decree – the census of the entire Roman world, and everyone in town had left their homes to register themselves (Luke 2:1). Naaman had gone, his brother Manasseh with him, to register at the same time of Joseph and Mary.

Naaman (cheerfully): Ah, what a day is this.

Manasseh: Always the cheerful one brother. What is it you find so worthwhile in life?

Naaman: Unlike yourself Manasseh, I find joy in the coming of a savior.

Narrator: As they approached the place of registration, Naaman noticed a pregnant woman among the crowd. With her was a descendant of David, the man named Joseph. Manasseh followed his brother’s eyes and saw an opportunity to torment him in his superstition.

Manasseh (exultantly): See here brother! This couple, claiming to be followers of God, have committed a great sin against the commandments of the Great Creator! Engaging in that which is sacred to marriage. What would you say in defense of your fellow brother’s and sister’s grievous reproach?

Naaman: Man is inherently sinful Manasseh, who can know the bounds of depravity? Yet even a Godly man or woman may fall into the bounds of sin. Yet my God is a merciful one, as seen with David and Bathsheba.

Manasseh: Hypocrite! How may one be the follower of a perfect God when they themselves are imperfect?

Naaman: For this very reason God gave us repentance through sacrifice. Though in my heart, stirring within my spirit, I am confident that God will do away with this ritual and bring us to Him through a most glorious and perfect way.

Manasseh: An ultimate sacrifice I suppose? That would only be possible by the death of God himself.Naaman: God will find a way.

Narrator: And God did find a way – on the most glorious day that has ever been known to man, God became manifested in a pure, and altogether perfect, baby boy named Jesus – the Savior of humanity and God’s only begotten son.

-Scene III

Narrator: Many years passed since the birth of Jesus Christ & the accompanying John the Baptist, and soon the inhabitants of Bethlehem learned of the news and saw the Man Himself. Many were in disbelief, others saw the event as a long-awaited miracle from God. From the cry of the Baby boy on that seemingly average night, the four-hundred years of silence from God had ended.

Naaman: It is as the prophets attested! God has come to us!

Manasseh (solemn): You have become greater the fool in your old age than in our youth, my poor brother. There is no Messiah, the world is as it has always been. The fishermen go forth to catch the bounty of the oceans, and the tax collector eternally devises another method to cheat us of our earnings. You have no cause for joy.

Naaman: Oh my brother! How I wish the curtain over your eyes would be torn away, as the barrier between us and God will soon be removed.

Manasseh: I refuse to believe that this man – a mere carpenter from Galilee, is the son of God. It is a most ridiculous supposition.

Naaman (pleading): I request brother, that you will come just one day to see this Man. When you hear his teachings, you will believe as I.

Manasseh: If only to see what drives this ailing passion of yours, I will go on this journey with you, and you will see for yourself the reason in my disbelief.

Author’s Note: I have considered to make a full-length novel out of  this play, expanding upon the transitional period between scene three and four, entailing the various sermons which Manasseh and Naaman attended and Manasseh’s drastic transformation of character therein. Whether I will do this, however, will depend upon the will of God.

Scene IV

Narrator: So it was, that the two brothers journeyed to Galilee and were among the multitude present at the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5) and when the Lord Jesus had healed the sick (Matthew 4).

Naaman: We have seen many things brother, and do you still remain obstinate in your disbelief?

Manasseh: I had accompanied you Naaman, desiring to make a mockery out of something unreasonable. Now I am uncertain of the very ground beneath which I stand. We have indeed seen many things – all of which I had not, in all my imaginings, sought to be believe possible. Yet here is this Man who calls himself the Son of God, doing those things which are impossible – making everyday life a miracle! I believe now brother that… (pauses for reflection) I rather incline to say, I do indeed believe what you have spoken about the Christ, and what He himself has spoken. In my old age, almost certainly my last year in this world, I give myself to Christ, and the Father who, I attest, loves me so dearly.

Naaman: Amen. For now we are brothers in the Lord Jesus Christ, and our lives, or what remain thereof, shall testify of that fact. Forevermore, praise the Lord Almighty.

NOOK Notice: This material is protected by copyright. 

Copyright © 2012 – All Rights Reserved

You may recall my 400 Years of Silence (Short Story) post a while back, which was introduced as such:

Today I’m posting a copy of my short story, 400 Years of Silence, based upon the historical period between the Old Testament prophets and New Testament birth of Jesus Christ. In that time, there was no word from God, until the cry of a baby broke the silence on that glorious night when the savior of the world was born. For those who are not avid readers, I’ve also provided [photographs] which [are] related to the story. The Apple Co.’s iBookstore recently accepted my eBook for distribution, as well as Barnes & Noble with their NOOK.

Above is the original version of my story, in duet play form.

Positive and civil constructive criticism is welcome.

Gallery

Rouen, France {Notre Dame}

I designed this graphic for the purpose of one of my paperbacks. The candles were within Le Notre Dame of Rouen and were beside a statue of Mary and baby Jesus. I cut out the candles, altered them, and ensured they were a proper size. I'm, overall, quite pleased with the results.

Grâce à Mes Yeux: A Photographic Compilation

The Adventure Writer’s Blog presents its first… collage!

Feel free to express your opinion in the comments.

This picture was ridiculously large (in its original posting earlier time) and had the potential of long loading times. However, if you would like to view the full version (which I would recommend if you have high speed internet) click here and take advantage of the size by zooming in on all the various details.

In all my time blogging over the course of two years I never thought to make a collage, and never one this large. The original was 7200 x 4050 - half a gigabyte with high resolution, although this version has been dramatically resized for lower connections.

War at Our Doorstep

The annotated version of War At Our Doorstep delves into the story, uncovering important details and casting light upon the story's various ambiguities. The story provided in this post is the original, unannotated version.

The frailty of life is a lesson learned by experience – the likes of our daily existences. Every day, when the fading crimson and golden-hued light gives way to the blackness of night, the menacing drone of bombers and the shrieking alarm which announces their coming brings fear into the heart of the community, and although all do their best to find safety in their homes, their shelters often become their prison unto death.

It all started three weeks ago, when the first HWK-325 emerged from the night’s sky followed by a score more of its kind. The residents of our humble town knew little of the ways of war and were unprepared for the onslaught to come. Many lives were taken that first day, mainly of those who did not heed the alarm. Since then, many of us have not dared to set foot out into the now foreboding pastures of our country which holds such terrors in the night. Our storehouses we have filled with what sustenance we may until the bombers pass (which is our one last hope). Those who have lived to see the bombers firsthand, such as myself, have reported many great wonders, such as the arrival of the AGL-435’s, great white bombers of extraordinary size which fought against the HWK-325 in a war of unknown causes. Perhaps they warred for control of our land, for every day they would annihilate a few of our land’s kind residents in their destructive conflict.

One night, following the death of my only son, I decided it had to end. I didn’t know how, but I would

This is an image I've used previously for various video projects related to War at Our Doorstep.

end this once and for all and bring peace to our land. I gathered my family together into our living room and held, perhaps (for I felt a great foreboding), our one last meeting. My wife was the first to speak.

“Honey, you can’t go!” she said with fear and anxiety upon her face. “Nobody has ever left their homes at this time of night and come back alive. Think of your family! Your –” she indicated with a movement of her hand our precious babies, all now teens but for our child of three. “Our children! You can’t leave them without a father. There’s no chance of success; you can’t reason with a bomber! How do you expect to fight them?”

Doubts filled my mind for a moment, but I cleared them away with a shake of the head. “Something must be done,” I said resolutely. “If I die, at least I will be an example for the community – to stand up for our families and fight. We have no hope cowering in our homes, we alone have the power to conquer this plague to our land. I’m certainly no David, but I will stand before many Goliaths. You can’t deter me from this; we must take a chance. Have I ever not returned? I will come back… and I pray with tidings of peace.”

Here is the enhanced version of a photograph I took some time ago of this bird of prey which ascended upon our porch. One of my revisions entailed increasing the level of detail in this graphic in order to accentuate the pattern upon the wings, sharp eyes, talons, etc.

I embraced my children and wife one last time, and journeyed out into the darkness. However, I saw at once my mission was a futile one, as a dozen bombers descended from above, their sights no doubt set upon my now quivering form – it was now too late to turn back. With one fell swoop, one swift action, my soul was carried unto heaven. What would become of my family and our town? Was there any hope to be had?

“Mommy, mommy!” a little girl’s voice sounded in the distance. “A hawk just caught a bunny!”

NOOK Notice: This material is protected by copyright.

[ Coming soon to the iBookstore ]

Copyright © 2012 – All Rights Reserved

Wikipedia Blackout Announced: Public Protest of SOPA

WordPress takes a stand with other online giants

The Wikimedia Corporation recently added a new banner to their website, and no, this time they’re not asking for a donation. By general consensus, the Wikipedia community has decided to initiate a blackout in approximately 3.5 hours, in order to protest SOPA legislation proposed by the United States government. The official comprehensive explanation is offered, as well as a simple homepage notice.

It is understood that although this legislation may have its benefits, it also comes with a price of providing the government with the power to remove websites after a court’s approval and restricting online freedom by placing strictures against suspected pirate websites and requiring domain owners including search engine giants such as Google, to remove any possible links related to the alleged pirate/s – a note upon which the Wikipedia community has taken a stand, claiming that the legislation is a form of censorship, and as other popular websites have stated, the likes of which China and Iran implement. Supporters of the bill dismiss these claims, yet Congress has taken note of these criticisms and the bill would appear to be losing ground. [1] [2] [3]

The time is ticking… now what am I going to do when I have some last minute research for the next 24 hours (the duration of the blackout)? I’m sure I’ll survive, but the impact of Wikipedia’s message, combined with the efforts of Yahoo!, Tumblr, Google, etc. is sure to be substantial. [4]

Even our beloved WordPress has joined the strike, all it takes is a visit to WordPress.com and visit one of those “censored” blogs.

I, for one, am a staunch supporter of action which may hinder the efforts of pirates and rightly secure an owner’s content under their copyright. However, the ramifications SOPA presents brings up many questions: do we want the government to have more power? Will the legislation really do good? Will it really effect the economy, or this simply being blown out of proportion? Will it hinder innovation and quench online entrepreneurship? 

Many of the Internet’s chief innovators are on strike, where do you stand?

A Bustle of Activity

These first nine days of January have been filled with much activity. My time is consumed by hours of reading, studying, blogging (especially in the case of my recent review, and planning for future posts), monitoring publications (B&N recently accepted two of my short stories to be displayed for purchase on their website and NOOK devices), etc.

On a side note – Inheritance, by Christopher Paolini, has lived up to its expectations (for me personally) and the expectations set by positive critiques. I look forward to reading the rest and composing my review.

Later tonight I’ll be posting a photograph which I altered, again with European origin.

Until then,

Bona nocte!

PostADay2012

The Adventure Writer’s Blog will be continuing daily postings for as long as is permitted.

For 2012, look forward to:

-Great Photographs

-Reviews

-Writing

-Tips & Practical Advice

-Personal Entries

-Christian Outlooks

And more!

 

I hope you’ll join me in this 2012 endeavor!

-Adventure Writer’s Blog

The Founder of Tragedy

Continuing where we left off with Alexandre the Great and company, pictured below is the famous (perhaps infamous, as we’re discussing tragedy) Pierre Corneille!

Turn we now to Wikipedia for a modicum of background: "Pierre Corneille (French pronunciation: [pjɛːʁ kɔʁ.nɛj ) (6 June 1606 – 1 October 1684) was a French tragedian who was one of the three great seventeenth-century French dramatists, along with Molière and Racine. He has been called “the founder of French tragedy” and produced plays for nearly forty years." -Wikipedia

 

European Cathedral

This photograph was taken in a moving car, which explains some of the blur. I used one of the built in iMac graphics programs to increase sharpness and give it a sepia tone.

Endless Loading…

Ah, the joys of endless loading. Evidently the new uploader hasn’t taken a shine to me yet.

(Graphic Table removed – it didn’t work)

Adventure Writer via Gmail (hopefully Gmail carries this table-graphic across suitably to WordPress, otherwise it’ll be a muddle of confused codes)

This post has been sent back in time!

Charlemagne: Notre Dame de Paris

While in Paris I found the great Charlemagne, ancient conqueror of Europe, outside the grand Cathedral.

Charlemagne, Caesar Augustus, Saint Peter... who knows who you'll meet in Paris?