Welcome to Thursday 360!
Are you a Christian writer? Think you can write a mind-blowing short story in 360 words or less? Let’s see what you’ve got!
Here’s How it Works
New posts will publish here on Thursdays. Write a 360-word (or less) flash fiction story based on the photo prompt (featured near the bottom of this post) and enter it in the comments section below. The results will be posted the following Thursday along with the new prompt. Winner will get the opportunity to display the Champion’s Badge on their website.
Rules and What-not
The rules are pretty simple. All entries for the current challenge must be posted by 11:59 p.m. Eastern Standard Time, Monday, April 13th. They must be original, unpublished stories inspired by the photo prompt and they must have no more than 360 words (title doesn’t count). Stories don’t have to be Christian in subject matter, but cannot contain foul language, erotic, anti-Christian content, etc… (Let’s try to keep it G-rated, folks.) By posting, you attest that your entry conforms to these rules; I am in no way liable if it doesn’t. I reserve the right to reject/delete anything that does not follow the rules.
All entries remain the property of their authors.
Results for Last Week’s Challenge
Effectual Fervent Prayer Availeth Much by Charles W. Short: The story of a man praying for his church not to be destroyed by a man full of hate, for God to let his church remain, even if it be for just one more day. While I probably would have gone with a different ending, I still appreciate the truth and bravery of this piece.
Midnight Faith by Daleen Cowgar: This is a piece full of beautiful hope. It’s not necessarily flash fiction, but I’m still glad it was submitted. Thanks for sharing this, Daleen.
Champion: Charles W. Short
Here’s your e-badge, Charles.
The Prompt
And here’s the prompt for this week’s challenge.
Remember the deadline is 11:59 p.m. Eastern Standard Time, Monday, April 13th.
Also, remember to become a follower so you can get email notifications of results and new posts.
Check out Christian Flash Weekly after you’re done for another great contest to help you hone your short fiction skills.
Whitney L. Schwartz 
Drinking in the Son Shine
Compared to the cacophony of the city streets, the roar of the waves seemed mild now.
As a child growing up here, she had thought the sea was the loudest thing on earth. But then she moved into New York City for the sake of a promised career.
The salty scent of the ocean was now a welcome change to the foul stench of the city.
The career she had anticipated in the city turned out to be something less glamorous than the modeling she had been promised. The stink of compromise and human misery had methodically stomped on her dreams and broken her heart.
She relished the warmth of the sun on her face now, over the shadows of the city.
The industry had darkened her mind and frozen her heart, but a voice broke through calling her home. She denied the voice for a while, wanting to believe she was happy where she was. She fought it as long as she could, refusing to see what she had become.
Her grandmother had written a letter. Her grandmother was praying for her.
She had gone to church with her grandmother up until the day she left for the city. After those weekly worship services they had often come to this beach for picnic lunches. It was on these sands, that she had walked the Roman road with her grandmother.
At the time she thought she meant it. Then in the city she had decided the whole thing was a farce.
But now she had run back to that beach, returned to the Roman road again, rediscovered the warmth of the Son, and found the sweetness of repentance and rededication.
280 words
http://www.twitter.com/CharlesWShort
http://www.charleswshort.com
http://www.christianflashweekly.wordpress.com
http://www.facebook.com/authorcharleswshort
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Love the imagery of the Son thawing a dark and frozen heart…great job as always, Charles!
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Thanks John, Glad you liked it.
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Love the imagery at the end. 🙂 Awesome story.
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Thank you Daleen, been such a busy weekend I had forgotten what I wrote.
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Yup, I’ve had those weekends before. 🙂
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Another good entry. 🙂
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Thanks for the nod on last week’s event. Already wrote this weeks entry since I will have a busy weekend, its in the moderation queue.
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Ready
John Mark Miller – 360 words
@JohnMark_Miller
“UFO sighted!”
Newspapers flashed the headline, and television reporters chattered excitedly with space exploration experts. The entire world, it seemed, had stopped to gaze at the silver sphere drifting through the moonlight.
Except me. I didn’t have time to worry about an unidentified spacecraft. I was more concerned with the voice inside my head.
“Come with us,” the strange voice echoed through my thoughts. “We can show you the beauty of the galaxies… visit exciting new worlds.”
My hands felt clammy, despite the warm Florida breeze. “How am I hearing you right now?” I didn’t have to speak aloud. I simply thought the words, and they understood.
“You’re very special,” the voice said simply. “One in a million. Your mind is able to hear our frequency, and your heart is… at rest.”
My eyebrow arched. Now this was getting interesting.
“We offer you exploration,” the voice went on. “In exchange for your secret.”
“My secret?” My mind questioned, genuinely confused.
“The answer to the meaning of life. The key to understanding the mysteries of the universe.” The voice said cooly. “You must know this, or you would not be at such peace.”
The voice was calm, as if it had reached a perfectly logical conclusion. My thoughts whirled. The unidentified sphere had appeared mere hours ago, but the voice spoke as if they had somehow examined the hearts of thousands.
“You don’t understand,” I interjected. “I don’t understand the mysteries of the universe. I’m simply at peace because I know One who does.”
“Come with us,” the voice grew more urgent. “Help us find this One.”
Hesitation gripped my heart. “What about my people? They need Him too.”
The voice did not hesitate. “They have others who can communicate with them. We have only you.”
In that moment, I knew they were right. And what I must do. The Savior once left His world for me… how could I do anything less?
As I walked slowly across the beach, I marveled at how small my world now seemed. How limited my perspective had been.
Breathing a prayer, I approached the gentle waves and held my arms wide in surrender.
“Ready.”
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I want to hear the rest of this story!!!! 🙂 Good one.
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Thanks, Daleen!
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Very well done, and yes, this would make a very interesting novel. or maybe YA novel.
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Hmm… I’ll have to keep that in mind! Now, to find the time to write that novel…. the plight of every writer!
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A very interesting take on the prompt. 🙂
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Thanks, Whitney! My goal was to think outside of the box a little bit…
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Peace
WC:151
“This wasn’t what I signed up for, God.” I told him plainly.
It’s not, huh?
“No, it’s not. They hate me.”
They don’t hate you.
“Haven’t you heard Michael?”
Michael’s father is drunk most of the time.
“Ok, so what about Kayleen? She never says anything nice.”
Kayleen’s mother abandoned her and now she’s living with her fifth pair of foster parents.
“Did you hear what Ian called me today?”
You aren’t here to judge them and get discouraged, Amy!! You’re here to tutor them and help them have a bright future.
“I can’t help them if they don’t want help!”
Then ask for My help.
“I need help, God.”
Good. Thank you.
“Miss Amy!!!”
“Time to go, God. Michael’s here.”
I’m with you.
“Thanks God.” Amy looked up at the son. “I’ll keep going for You, Lord.”
Thanks, Amy.
“Coming, Michael!!”
A peace washed over her and filled her up.
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Ah, those pesky kids. blogged today about the forgotten need to protect innocence. Its a shame we jade the next generation before they can even learn to appreciate what is good.
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“Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.” John 14:27 NIV
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