Hope Treasures

By Sandra Renee Hicks

Venture into the places of love, joy, sorrow, challenges and triumphs. Go with spry widower Malcolm as he moves to Highlight Nursing Home; travel with Pastor Breeze as he takes his staff to the circus; fly to the Olympics with Langston; witness the shock of church officer Matilda, and learn what happens to shopaholic Belinda. In these short stories, there are a host of characters who will engage and compel. Prepare to be inspired, encouraged, grieved, angry and hopeful. Yes, there is division, subtraction, addition plus more. Indulge in this content and expect to be positively changed.

Notes:
Also, included in this book are listings of some of the names for God and Jesus found in the King James Holy Bible.

As an added bonus in this book, Highlights One and Two, as well as an excerpt from Highlight Three are included as previews of my upcoming bio-fiction book titled, "Solid Journey Highlights - The Victoria Chronicles." Highlights mentioned in the book are based on actual occurrences. For the most part, only the names of people, some places, and the dialogue are fictional.

Portions of Highlight One share about Victoria's marriage to a man who became a drug addict, drug dealer, and pimp. Jesus saved her soul after the marriage. Also, Highlight One shares how Victoria spent time in a psych ward.

A portion of Highlight Two shares about a "Christian" man who decides to offer a room for rent with an unmarried male and female as roommates. Huh? That's not godly...

The upcoming book will include Victoria's experiences as a shelter resident and the assorted lessons learned in them.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Sandra Renee Hicks
• Release date: Aug 2, 2013
• ISBN: 9781301738076

Sandra Renee Hicks

S. R. Hicks is a licensed writer, editor and consultant who lives in and is a native of Washington, D.C. She’s been a published writer for more than 20 years. Magazines and newspapers have included her work. Hicks’ goal is to expand and to connect with more folks who enjoy the art of written words.As a former long term Christian, Hicks has a wealth of knowledge about that realm. She now embraces the science of metaphysics for, truly, our roots are in that treasured dimension. Our present and future stances should, ideally, be aligned with metaphysical routes.Note: Years ago, when I was a Christian, I wrote some e-books that still appear online. I removed select ones. I’m not sure of all of the online sites where my Christian material continues to be displayed. That said, this is to inform that I’m no longer with the spiritual posture of Christianity. I do, however, respect those people who sincerely have that posture. Many of them are sincere, but unaware as I was when I “walked” that path. As for the fraudulent ass Christians who don’t take their religion seriously, I have no respect for anyone who chooses not to be authentic.

Book preview

Hope Treasures

Published by Sandra Renee Hicks at Smashwords

Scriptures are from the King James Bible.

This e-Book is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. Permission is NOT granted to make copies and/or to download to others. This e-Book is a free offering for a limited time. When a price is placed for it, you can certainly purchase copies to give to others or share with them the link to make their own purchases. Permission is not granted to modify, excerpt, edit, or change the content of this e-Book in any form whatsoever. Also, permission is not granted for this e-Book to be posted on blogs, websites or on social networking sites such as Facebook, LinkedIn, and MySpace. Permission is granted to post a link to this e-Book in such forums. Also, permission is granted for this e-Book to be downloaded on e-readers, iPads and on computers for personal use only.

Thank you for respecting the diligent work of this author.

Non Scriptural content - Copyright 2013 - Sandra Renee Hicks

A listing of my other available e-Books is shown at the end of this e-Book.

Table of Contents

Story 1 - Highlight

Story 2 - Circus Change

Story 3 - Keystone Changes

Story 4 - At the Mall

Story 5 - Domestic Storm

Story 6 - Affluent Revelation

Story 7 - From the Foundation of the World

Story 8 - Sword of the Spirit

Story 9 - Today Rain Crashed My Party

Story 10 - Sorrow Came to Visit

Solid Journey Highlights - Previews

Highlight One - A Matrimonial Walk on the Dark Side

Highlight Two - Are These People Christians for Real?

Highlight Three - Workplace Drama - An Excerpt

Some of the Names Shown for God

Some of the Names Shown for Jesus

How to Know God

About the Author

Story 1 - Highlight

Spry widower Malcolm is in pack mode. He’s leaving his home of forty-nine years and about to check into the Highlight Nursing Home.

Malcolm isn’t sad. He tells his family, My peers are mostly gone from here. All of these young whippersnappers have moved into the neighborhood. Malcolm grins. They don’t act my age.

His family laughs. It comforts them to know that Malcolm is in such good spirits.

I’m eager to go to the Highlight to be with folks that have things in common with me. He winks. I still play a mean game of dominoes. Some of these youngsters don’t even know what that is. Amusingly, Malcolm shares, The other day the gal next door told me that she got a new Smart phone. I asked her, What’s smart about it; does it think and solve problems? Malcolm chuckles. She looked at me like I was from another planet!"

Laughing, Malcolm’s son Josh says, Dad, in some ways, you are from another planet.

Malcolm slaps his leg and humors his son, Yeah, let some folks tell it. But I’m not buying what they’re selling. For real, this old chap is more grounded than some of those tech fanatics. Humph, when’s the last time some of them have gone for walks without cell phones glued to their ears? And when was the last time they had their eyes in a book - a PAPER book? I could go on and on but you get my drift.

The family members exchange glances. They ponder the wisdom of what Malcolm has shared.

Hmm, dad, you sure give us some things to think about.

He backslaps Josh. I know. This old locomotive still has steam in his engine.

The humor cheers them all.

Three suitcases are all Malcolm needs for his transition to Highlight.

His son, Todd, questions, Dad, are you sure you want to give the bulk of the house contents to the Salvation Army?

Yes, son, in my twilight years, I’m traveling light - no desire for all the clutter and vain entanglements.

"And Todd, you know I’m a Bible living man. Luke 12:15 says, …for a man’s life consisteth not in the abundance of the things which he possesseth.

Malcolm’s sons have deep love and respect for their father. They’ve been raised by a man of solid principles.

Yes, sir, says Todd.

Weeks before his move, Malcolm sits down to go through his large photograph collection.

One photo leaps off the page at him. He smiles broadly. Well, looka here. That’s me and my first girlfriend, Trudy, headed to the prom. I wonder what happened to dear Trudy.

Joy stirs in Malcolm as he remembers his good times with Trudy. He glances down and notices goose bumps on his arms. He smiles and thinks, You old ticker. What’s gotten into you?

Moving day arrives.

Malcolm whistles as he rides to Highlight with Josh.

Dad, you’re really happy about this move, huh?

Malcolm’s eyes twinkle as he answers, Yes, indeedy, son. I suspect they need more lively residents up in that place.

Josh grins.

They arrive at Highlight.

Josh helps Malcolm get settled in his room.

They hug and make plans to dine the following week.

Malcolm reads his Bible, prays and turns in for the night.

The next afternoon he meets the domino guys.

The best player, Charles, challenges Malcolm to compete. Playfully, he says, Show me what you’re working with, Mr. Malcolm.

Malcolm teases, You sure you wanna know?

Robustly, Charles answers, Sure, let’s do this.

It wasn’t easy but Malcolm won the game.

Charles is a great sport. The two become fast friends.

The next morning, after breakfast, Malcolm walks in the garden. From a distance, he sees a woman sitting on a bench.

As he approaches, the Holy Bible can be seen in her delicate hands.

She looks up.

Malcolm’s eyes widen. He shakes his head as if to clear it. He thinks, Could it be?!

Joyous recognition stirs within the woman. Is it him?!

Eagerly, she asks, What’s your name?

With vigor, Malcolm replies, Malcolm.

And yours? His heart throbs as he awaits her answer.

Trudy.

Epilogue -

They reacquaint themselves…

One day, as he and Trudy