It's Time to Go

     Time passed slowly that morning. The natives searched for hours before finally leaving, or at least that’s what John hoped they’d done. The sun was higher in the sky and began burning off the rain water that fell the previous day. Once again fog and steam started to form, leaving John hoping for a gentle breeze to disperse it.

     His plan was simple. He would help Steve the seventy-five or so yards to the awaiting plane and take off straight down the runway. The airstrip sloped upward about five degrees, so he would need all the power the plane had. He nudged Steve, who less than alert.

     “It’s time to go.”

     “Huh? What’s going on?” Steve lifted his pale face, his glazed eyes trying to focus.

     “I need you to be alert. There are very dangerous people after us. We need to get to the plane. Do you understand?”          John spoke slowly, hoping the words would break through Steve’s clouded mind.

     “Just help me up and I’ll race you there.” Steve sobered suddenly, as he clumsily labored to his knees.

     John helped him and sighed in disbelief as his disoriented companion stumbled in the opposite direction. “I think you’ve been disqualified from this heat. Here, let me lead you.”

     Both scurried to the plane. It was like a nightmare as John imagined the plane getting farther away. Finally reaching it, John shoved Steve into the passenger seat.

     Running around the plane, checking for damage and remaining debris, he made a hasty pre-flight check. Satisfied, he reached to turn the power switch on-nothing.

     “Oh no, what next!” John punched the instrument panel.

     He immediately cut it off and back on. He heard the faint sound of the gyro and turned the key. Not enough power remained to start the motor. “Steve, Steve,” John yelled, shaking his buddy.

Jeffrey W. Bennett, is the author of Commitment-A Novel and other non-fiction books, novels and periodicals.

Primitive Man Meets Flying Machine

   The half naked group, armed with spears and bows and arrows, and one with a stone ax, fanned out once they neared the clearing. They moved in unison like a well-rehearsed infantry unit. Someone gave a bird call upon seeing the camouflaged airplane and the rest moved cautiously toward the source of commotion.

     John saw them move slowly toward the plane, and huddle around the leader. They looked for tell-tale signs of trouble, then regrouped as the leader gave instructions. On cue, they began removing the bushes and curiously rubbed their hands across the smooth surface of the plane. Some of them swung from the wings and struts, while others played with the control surfaces until the leader yelled a warning.

     The leader, dressed in a loincloth and wearing a necklace of bones and ornamental feathers, motioned for one of his subordinates to try the doors. The lackey finally figured how to open the pilot’s door and curiously played with the controls and buttons. He tripped the main power switch, activating the electronic gyro. The slow electrical windup suddenly turned into a high- pitched whir sending everyone scuttling for cover.

     John snickered at the comic relief, but only briefly. He needed to get Steve back to safety, and he knew the natives would soon recover from the scare. He rose to help Steve and timidly headed toward the plane. John ducked as the leader turned in his direction and pointed the others to fan out.     John knew the leader had sent out a search party. He pushed Steve down and jumped to his side, quickly pulling the poncho over them. At least the ponchos are green, John thought. Lying there, he heard the brush around him parting as a few people crept through it. They stopped within a few feet and talked. John could see their dirty feet from under the poncho and prayed they would leave before the sun revealed their hiding place.

Jeffrey W. Bennett, is the author of Commitment-A Novel and other non-fiction books, novels and periodicals.

Mystery in the Jungle

     The sun painted streaks of pale blue and yellow through the morning sky. Birds were awake, singing to anyone appreciative enough to listen. The moon was full and bright as it still sat high in the western sky.

     John listened intently. He was used to the sounds of the jungle, something he would actually miss. Gone were the distractions of machines. However, he prayed that they would soon be getting back to the plane that would take them back to their world–civilization.

     Suddenly he was aware of something new–silence. The singing had abruptly stopped, but why? Birds go silent as a survival instinct, he thought. He listened more intently, as the ground would be soft, muffling any footsteps.

     There! In the brush – a slight movement. He focused his eyes to one side of the dark, heavily vegetated area hoping to catch something in his peripherals. Behind about fifty yards, vines and branches moved in one direction as a few stealthy figures filed through. John estimated six people moving in the direction of the clearing. With any concentrated effort, the group would discover them. He nudged Steve, who had suffered with a fever since midnight.

     “Wake up,” John whispered, placing his hand over his buddy’s mouth. He waited a moment for Steve to recover from the surprise. “There are people heading our way. You’ll have to keep quiet.”

     All Steve could do was nod his head in agreement.

 Jeffrey W. Bennett, is the author of Commitment-A Novel and other non-fiction books, novels and periodicals.

He did everything right. Then the church excommunicated him, his friends abandoned him, and the government executed him. What happened next will shock you.

He did everything right. He cured diseases, ended hunger, and loved the unlovable. Not only did He feel compassion for those in need, He actually met their needs and taught others to do the same. But He never received cash or Nobel Peace Prize. They simply told him to stop.

He couldn't stop. His mind was focused and his heart was determined. He knew His current course would end in personal disaster, but it would give hope to countless. He understood that he might have to give his life, but others would live.

He wasn't alone. His mission was assigned from the highest command and with utmost urgency. As a soldier leading the rescue of a lost platoon behind enemy lines, He set His mind on the goal. No one left behind.

They told him to stop, He didn't listen. They fired everything they had at him: reason, bribery, then insults, slapping, punching, lashing, piercing, and finally execution.

As He stood before his interrogator and said, "My kingdom is not of the earth."

And He kept on. He had to reach the lost behind enemy lines and knew it was more important than this life.

Without regard for his own life, He continued the mission until every order was met. In this case the orders were centuries old doctrine and prophecy outlining the tactics; avenues of approach to the ultimate goal of rescuing the lost behind enemy lines. Once He met the objective, He ended the mission on His terms. With a mighty shout He exclaimed: "IT IS FINISHED".

Though He did everything right the church excommunicated him, his friends abandoned him, and the government executed him.

Here's the shocking part; He overcame death.

Three days later His mission continued. His physical body died, but He returned as the King of another kingdom eager to rescue the lost behind enemy lines.

He forgave those who betrayed and killed him and gave them the mission.

For the next 40 days He issued instructions to his followers. First to 2, then 4, then 8, then 12, then 70, then 500. He gave them the mission: Rescue the lost behind enemy lines.

After an additional ten days, He sent reinforcements. The Holy Spirit empowered them for the mission. Though Jesus had ascended to his throne, He left a plan and a helper. Then thousands believed and they continued the mission.

Though He did everything right the church excommunicated him, his friends abandoned him, and the government executed him. But He overcame that, He triumphed over death and He lives forevermore rescuing the lost behind enemy lines. 

Jeffrey W. Bennett is the author of Commitment-A Novel and other non-fiction books, novels and periodicals. You can see more of his writings @ www.redbikepublishing.com