Simple stories of the life, events and teachings of Jesus of Nazareth seen through his time and the truth of being fully human and the chosen one of God. His life might be divided into three periods. The first begins with the promise of the birth of John and closes with Jesus' move to Capernaum. Second, the community around the Sea of Galilee then was his home and mission grounds from that move until he left for Jerusalem one last time. The third portion of his humanity filled the few months from the time he left for Jerusalem until the Phillippian official was baptized in the desert. These short stories provide easy reading and deep personal search for the history, culture and relationships of his life. Each story opens up for the reader a new and deeper appreciation for Jesus' life and ministry. These doors to his times and events swing open thru looking at the lives and fortunes of many around him. The scenery of his life shows us the life and culture of the time through the lives and personalities of his family, childhood friends, probably employers, disciples and other followers, miracle recipients and, finally, those around his death and resurrection. Often we are limited to understanding him through only a few words in one of the Gospels. When this happens, these stories create a strong yet comfortable account with accent on the precipitation of those few words or actions. Usually the characters are not named in the Gospels. Sometimes a tradition has grown up which names specific characters. Where these names could be located, they are used. Otherwise, names are often supplied for the accounts. A word about the separate events and dialogue. All the major events recorded in the synoptic gospels (Matthew, Mark, Luke) are included in these accounts. A few of John's significant events and relationships are listed as well. A few incidents seem to raise the issue of how Jesus dealt with his perplexing questions of his humanity, messiahship, divinity and death. Along with his temptations, enough doubt is raised to raise the eyebrows of every searcher and scholar. All these stories have been told to audiences in some format. Most have been used as sermons. Many have provided discussion material for youth and adult classes. Some have been used as dramatic readings. All have been recorded and used for radio broadcast. Reading or reciting for an audience takes from twelve to twenty-five minutes. Most of all, the intent of this work is to help ordinary folks to a deeper faith relationship with Christ. By seeing the ordinary human side of Jesus, as well as his divinity, that deeper relationship will be enhanced. His personal issues will not be seen as a blot on his life and mission, but as added relevance for his words and actions. Many of these works have been previously published in "Jesus - The Nazareth Stories" and "Jesus - The Capernaum Stories", both published by Karl C Evans and Createspace.com. The books have been combined, the stories re-written, and new stories added. So enjoy the book. Almost every reader from age ten will be able to comprehend and enjoy the work. It is written in Grade Reading Level Five. Please enjoy the book, and tell me what you find there for you.
About the Author: Karl C Evans has been part of Christian communities through most of his life. Family, public school, college, work force and pastorate all made an active faith important in his life. Karl's family was at home in Methodist, Brethren, Quaker, Disciples, Missionary Baptist and Nazarene settings. Farming near Fruitland, Idaho, gave him, his six sisters and one brother a deep sense of the importance of Christ in every facet of their lives. When Karl left home to attend the University of Puget Sound in Tacoma, Washington, it was his intent to enter the pastoral ministry. However, a shortage of finances forced him to put his education on hold for several years. While on recess from education, Karl met and married Donella. He worked in several industries while waiting to get back in school. Agriculture, bus lines, trucking, food processing were helpful. Eventually, Karl was offered a post as a student pastor at Cosmopolis, Washington. In this time, Karl re-entered college at Grays Harbor College at Aberdeen. Then university work came at Willamette University in Salem, Oregon. Karl served the United Methodist Congregation at Shedd, Oregon. Then Karl and Donella moved their family to Pineview, Georgia. Karl served the Pineview Circuit and attended Candler School of Theology at Emory University. Then they moved to Shady Dale, Georgia for two years so Karl could finish his Master of Divinity degree. Following this completion, Karl and Donella served Shelley, Idaho; John Day and Prairie City, Oregon; Cottage Grove and Florence, Oregon; then Pendleton, Oregon. Karl then worked in various mission capacities in the United Methodist Church for several years as mission program supervisor, local church consultant, computer consultant, short term mission pastor and ESL Teacher. Karl finally retired to allow his heart to recuperate from years of hard work. He began his writing career while serving small congregations of the United Methodist Church, the Presbyterian Church and the Evangelical Lutheran Church for short periods. Now Karl and Donella live in Yachats, Oregon. Their four children are scattered from Alaska to Wisconsin to Arizona and back in Oregon. They also have several grandchildren and great-grandchildren.