Portals to the Past: Volume II

By Joey Porter

Portals to the Past Volume II is a collection of five short stories that are biblically rooted both in the Old and New Testament.

The first story is about the life of Enoch. Travel along with him as he grows up walking with God. Take a peek inside the unique friendship that they enjoyed together that started when he was a young boy. The story ends when Methuselah takes over as the patriarch when Enoch makes an unusual departure.

The second story is about a religious teacher, Haniah, who reaps what he sows after contracting leprosy. After spending a year as an outcast, he has an encounter with Jesus that gives him a second chance. See the lives that are changed once he is shown compassion and given a new look on life.

The third story is about Rahab who falls in love as a young lady. Tragedy strikes and sends her down the wrong path. After years of emotional loneliness, she gets a second chance when she goes against her people to help two foreign spies.

The fourth story starts out with Lazarus getting sick. His sister Martha then Dr. Luke try to help him recover, but things only get worse. Read how God can take a tragedy and turn it into something good.

The last story is about the life of Joseph. It starts with his engagement with Mary. Follow Joseph as the angel of God sends him to various towns with his wife in order to protect young Jesus. Catch a glimpse into what he felt trying to be the father of God's only-born son. The story ends with one of several possibilities of what happened to Joseph.

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• Language: English
• Publisher: Christian Faith Publishing, Inc.
• Release date: May 26, 2023
• ISBN: 9798888323243

Book preview

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Portals to the Past

Volume II

Joey Porter

ISBN 979-8-88832-323-6 (paperback)

ISBN 979-8-88832-324-3 (digital)

Copyright © 2023 by Joey Porter

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, including photocopying, recording, or other electronic or mechanical methods without the prior written permission of the publisher. For permission requests, solicit the publisher via the address below.

Christian Faith Publishing

832 Park Avenue

Meadville, PA 16335

www.christianfaithpublishing.com

Printed in the United States of America

Table of Contents

Introduction

The Enoch Walk

Healed or Made Whole

Rahab's Story

Lazarus

Joseph, the Father of Jesus

Elijah's Chariot

Credits

About the Author

Introduction

Before I finished the publication process on my first book, I had about half the stories of this second book written. The stories just flowed from my mind through my fingertips onto the pages of this book.

I've had requests for this book as readers finished my first book. That brings great encouragement to me as I quickly knock out the uplifting adventures from the Bible.

I have enjoyed the creative writing process that brings new life to the scriptures and personalizes them to me. In turn, I now share them with you, the readers, in hopes that the scriptures come alive in your hearts and minds.

During and after the writing of each story, I reread the related Bible scriptures to ensure that there aren't any conflicts and that my creativeness compliments what has already been written. The areas that I have taken liberties are plausible and are penned for the love of reading a good book.

For those who know the scriptures well, I have inserted what I called gold nuggets. Gold nuggets are bits of information that connect stories and events that are inferred in the scripture, but not specifically written out. These connect the dots or bring clarity to traditions.

In this collection of stories, I had the most fun writing about Enoch. There is so little about him that we know. I felt like I was beside him watching him grow up and walking with God.

The toughest story to write was about Joseph, the father of Jesus. Keeping the timeline of Joseph's and Mary's life together and correct while inserting what his life was like was a challenge.

Joseph had taken on the responsibility of raising Jesus as his own, yet knowing Jesus was God's only son had to be a difficult role.

We all know that Joseph was not in the picture during the last three years of Jesus's life leading up to the crucifixion. What happened to him? The Bible does not say. I chose one of several possibilities of what could have happened.

In the end, I picked a plausible reason why Joseph was no longer in the life of Mary and Jesus which does not offend the mainstream believers.

I decided to have illustrations added to this second book. The idea of giving this mission to various high schools seemed like a good way to get our youth more involved in the arts and reading.

As I prepare to have this set of stories sent to be published, a third book had not been decided upon for this series. Enjoy the journey as you travel down the ancient paths in this second book.

The Enoch Walk

Jared and Lira had just finished eating their dinner meal when her water broke. They were expecting their first child of many children that would eventually follow. This birth would be the start of the sixth generation after Adam and Eve. Jared was a mixture of excitement and nervousness. Lately, when Jared woke up, he wondered if today was the day Lira was going to give birth to their first child. Today was that day.

Lira wasn't sure how she knew it, but she knew she would be giving birth to a boy. She was ready. Lira was tired of being pregnant. It was time to get past the back aches, not being able to see her feet, and the constant outhouse trips. The men around her did not understand her odd cravings for different foods. She didn't even understand why she craved these strange foods.

Jared had done all he could to prepare for the arrival of their first baby. He had crafted a crib for their expected child. He worked hard to stay ahead on his chores. He even acquired a goat to have extra milk in the event it would be needed.

The garden had been weeded and extra water was hauled to the house and stored after all the watering had been completed.

Lira's labor pains were increasing in intensity and frequency. It was time for this little child to make his entry into this world outside the womb. When her water had broken, this prompted Jared to send notice to Grandpa Adam and Grandma Eve to come to their house. It would not be long before everyone would know if this child was a boy or girl.

Adam had reached the age of six hundred and twenty-two years old at the time of this birth. He was just as strong now as when God formed him in the garden. Both Adam and Eve had been present for the birth of every firstborn child of each generation, and this would not be different. Eve helped to deliver most of the children that were birthed in this area. By now, there were a lot of adult children scattered across the region. It had become impossible for them to be present at every one of them giving birth. Each generation had grown more distant and rebellious toward the ways of God.

A couple of hours later, the wail of a baby could be heard, loud and strong. This baby boy let the world know he was here. The labor was fairly short compared to the other births Lira had been around. After finishing her duty with Lira and the baby, Eve came outside to the awaiting family and announced, Lira was right—it's a boy! All is well with both mother and son! Cheers erupted throughout the house!

Several members of the family gave Jared a hearty pat on the back. What shall his name be called? Adam asked Jared. Everyone who was present turned toward Jared and became silent as they eagerly listened for his reply.

Jared paused for a moment then replied, We shall call him Enoch. Enoch's name means teacher. The name Enoch was echoed throughout the house by everyone.

Afterward, Jared walked into the room to see his wife and his firstborn child. The rest of the family that was waiting patiently joined in the celebration that soon followed.

Lira was tired and sweaty from giving birth. She was holding their baby, Enoch, all bundled up in clean linen and next to her breast when Jared walked in. You have a mighty fine son here in my arms! she said softly as she smiled. Enoch was doing what all newborns do, which was searching for nourishment.

Lira handed little Enoch to Jared to hold and admire. Jared could see a thin covering of brown hair sticking out the top of the little bundle as he reached out to hold his son for the first time. This little bundle was so light, Jared thought to himself.

He is the first of many fine sons and daughters that we shall have! Jared countered. In which they did go on to have many fine sons and daughters over the next several years.

After a few minutes, Jared opened the linen wrap to see his tiny son. Enoch was wrinkly and a deep shade of red. This was the newest newborn baby he had ever seen or held. He was so small. It was hard for him to imagine that this tiny boy could grow into a large man. This moment would change him forever. Jared's role in life had taken on a new responsibility.

Jared marveled at the small fingers and toes of Enoch as they moved around aimlessly. Someday, these little fingers will be as big as mine. He softly spoke to Enoch as he gently felt them. There are so many things we will do together as you grow up, he promised.

Enoch instinctively grabbed a hold of Jared's finger which put a grin on Jared's face that could not be hidden had he tried.

Jared wrapped Enoch back up and returned him to Lira's arms, so they could both rest after the intensive evening they both had experienced. A birth takes a lot of strength from both the mother and the child. He would also get some much-needed rest. His sleeping had been shallow and restless this whole last week.

Jared felt compelled to go back out into the main part of the house and brag about his new son to the awaiting family. He would cherish this moment forever. He now understood the other new fathers when they each spoke about their firstborn children and how it changes them.

All the hard work Jared had done preparing for this day paid off. He was not ready to leave their side for several days. Their immediate family joined in to help with the few daily chores required while Jared stayed next to Lira's side.

*****

Enoch's eighth birthday had quickly approached. As each child turned eight, they must recite their lineage. Also they must tell the creation story as they had learned it from Adam to their own family. Adam and Eve would be present for this tradition. They were instructed to begin it by God. It was definitely easier for the kids to recite their lineage up than it was for Adam to recite it down. Adam and Eve had too many grandchildren to keep track of all their names.

Enoch had watched some of his older cousins do the same recital when each of