Devotional -16-

Gen 3:3  “But God said, ‘You shall not eat of the fruit of the tree that is in the midst of the garden, neither shall you touch it, lest you die.”

 

That You Might Perceive -16-

The children seemed to rush through their dinner and clean-up chores. While this was usually a lively time of conversation, they barely spoke a word. As soon as they were done, they settled quickly into their places, eager for their nightly story.

 

Berrick took an unusually long time getting up from the table. “What a fine stew, Moira! I am filled from my boots to my hairline. Well, what little I have left,” he said, rubbing his thinly-covered dome.

 

“I’m not surprised.” Said Moira. “Three bowls that size would be enough to fill Midnight!” she said, naming their largest draft horse.

 

“Well even a horse needs a rest after a meal like that. I believe I’ll turn in early.” Berrick said with a wink.

 

The protests were immediate and unanimous. “No, Grandfather, no! You have to finish the story!”

 

“Finish?” Berrick said with surprise. “Oh my, no, children. The story’s finish has yet to be written!”

Devotional -15-

This is the beginning of week three: Feeling.  To recap the plan: For the four Sundays of Advent, we will explore four different methods of perceiving: seeing, hearing, feeling and tasting.

 

Ex 29:37 “Whatever touches the altar will become holy.”

 

That You Might Perceive -15-

Breda gasped, “But Grandfather, you said the miller’s house was doubly blessed while the castle held only weeping. Aren’t those Abrianna’s twins?”

 

“No, my sweet little clover leaf, those babies belong to the miller.”

 

“So, where’s Abrianna’s baby?” she asked, lip quivering. She obviously already knew the answer.

 

Berrick used her question to start his story back up. “Word spread very quickly that the queen’s baby was stillborn. This was a very heavy burden for an already heavily-burdened people. One of the few rays of sunshine in their dark days had now been extinguished. It was almost more than some could bear.

Devotional -14-

Gen 11:6 “If as one people speaking the same language they have begun to do this, then nothing they plan to do will be impossible for them.”

That You Might Perceive -14-

As spring neared, so did the spring storms. What used to be enjoyed by the people of Dalravia now seemed like a betrayal of the land, as every time there was a storm, there was also some form of attack on the people.

Devotional -13-

Josh 6:16b “Shout, for the Lord has given you the city!”

 

Remember a couple days ago, we talked about the power in the Lord’s voice? When we are operating in the Spirit, God imparts to us His power.

 

That You May Perceive -13-

“The entire room fell silent. All eyes were on the face of the soldier in the doorway. He staggered into the room as men ran to support him. Alasdair stopped what he was doing and raced to his side. Abrianna quickly helped usher him out of the Great Hall before the sight of the blood and dirt frightened the children even more than the silence alone.

 

Devotional -12-

Day 12

 

II Chron. 15:14 “They swore an oath to the Lord with a loud voice and with shouting and with trumpets and with horns.”

That You Might Perceive -12-

“I know what ‘As well it should’ means” said Tighe, all big-boy sure of himself.

“Oh you do, do you?” Berrick inquired, a grin in his voice.

“Yes, it means that they were in big trouble and they should be scared.”

“You’re right! They were in trouble – and they were a bit scared. It was just like you hearing things in the dark. They sound scary and you don’t know where they are or what they are….that’s the same kind of scared that the people of Dalravia felt – that quiet fear that sneaks up behind you and makes you whirl around to see what is behind you – only to find that it was nothing. Even though you have seen with your own eyes there was nothing, you can’t help but feel it’s still there, just out of sight.”