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It had been the most vicious storm Adam had ever encountered, even since before when he lived in the desert to the west of the Garden. At that time, there were massive dust storms that reached thousands of feet into the air, but this was different. This storm came with super-heated air, and the searing heat was all but unbearable.

        As they mindlessly wandered through the barren landscape, they came across the burned and dead bodies of many creatures. Hungry as they were, they would not -  could not eat of the charred flesh they saw writhing and dying. One animal, charred to a bloated crisp, laid stiff, its outstretched paws showed its attempt to run away from the approaching firestorm, and its spiked ridge-hair along its back stood in one last defense. Alarmed, Eve took note of its sharp, ripping, tearing fangs. Adam remembered the stripped vicious creature well. It moved like a cat but had a long, flesh-boring snout. Yes, even creatures like that were used by the Creator to scavenge dead and decaying flesh. In themselves, they were filthy vessels, but necessary caretakers of God’s world. Nonetheless, they would have to watch out should any still roam the plains, which were more than willing to do God’s work. The thought of their hideous, laughing shriek raised the hair on Adam’s neck and sent chills down his spine!
                                       ...
                                      
        Now as the sky began to vaguely clear, Adam looked up and saw a red blood moon, which gave him an ominous chill.1 He winced and coughed, grabbing his throat, as he inhaled the hot, acrid air. They would have to make haste to find some shelter. He remembered all too well the dangers of the desert before God placed him in the Garden.
        With the words still bruising his ears, he had a deafening realization that the judgment spoken to them by God was final, or so he thought. In their present state, it was hard to conceive that there would be any redemption for them. The Garden, lost somewhere in time and space, was gone! Once located at the headwaters of the majestic rivers – the Gihon, Pishon, Euphrates, and the Hiddekel, the one river that meandered around the land of Havilah where bright yellow gold was abundant.2 Most important was the river of life. It was a supernatural river -as clear as crystal, which flowed into the Garden from the very throne-room of God, and which gave birth to the other four majestic rivers.
        Looking around, he wondered if God had even taken the life giving rivers away because he saw no sign of them. Was there nothing left? He knew that they needed to find at least one of them if they were going to survive.
        He scooped up a dry, crusty dirt-clod, exclaiming that it was so devoid of life that it could not even be called soil. He knew that if he were ever to be called God’s husbandman, again, it would take every ounce of strength he had just to be a tiller of this… the cursed earth.                                 
        In those times, now past, when they lived in the Garden, it offered so much delight to God’s dearest couple. Arm in arm, they listened to the music created by the trees… the soft percussive rustle of the needles of the ironwood tree, accompanied by the flicking of the coconut palms, and the slapping sound of the broad banana leaves. In joy, Adam loved to sing and dance with God’s unique orchestra. With a new song rising from his happy spirit, he sang...
​The Holy Spirit comes to 
wafting in on a warm evening breeze.
He sings a song ever sweet and clear
of a lasting love that always will endure.
His melody sings through the trees, 
coconut palms, and banana leaves.

​And then he would shuffle his feet softly and chant…

And as I sit and listen in 
I hear the sound of holy wind
wafting through the ironwood trees,
coconut palms, and banana leaves.

Come on high with me my love 
Join my Spirit be free my dove.3
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        Then, taking Eve by the hands, he lifted her up to swing her around in the air. With her head thrown back, she filled his heart with joy as he listened to the light, trilling timbre of her laughter. Setting her down they began twirling and spinning around with their arms spread wide, and heads lifted high sing…
                         Lei, lei, lei, lei, lei, lei!
        Oh, how his beloved pleased him. Eve's beauty was beyond compare. When she smiled at him, his heart overflowed, and when he kissed her, the softness of her lips was like that of a delicate rose petal. Most of all, it was the sweetness of her heart that blessed him. Sometimes he was a bit demanding and brusque, but her gentle words always calmed his spirit.
        She had a way with him, alright. That’s why he suffered such a conflict over the issue of sharing in the forbidden fruit. Adam desperately wanted to please both God and Eve, and in the end, he caved. He chose to please the woman of his flesh rather than be obedient to the very One who created all that he was and all that He created for his pleasure. However, this too was part of God’s plan from the foundation of the world.
        Now, the pockmarks on Adam’s face would remind him for years to come of his conceited folly in disobeying the Creator. He coursed through his mind, searching how could this possibly be connected to God’s plan. What did He mean when he said, “I will make a way for you to love me for who I am, Adam.” What, exactly, did that mean? Was all lost? Was there no hope? Just what depths would God go to save him, His choice creation?
        His brain… his very mind was reeling at all he was taking in, trying to make sense of what God was telling him. It was as though he was getting last instructions before being entirely cast on his own. The firm voice of God continued to speak from within his being… “Do not fear, Adam, I will give you spiritual weapons that are not of this world, not of flesh and blood. When you use them, you will fight and win greater battles than of mere flesh. Adam, listen, you must, and I stress must be a truth teller, for I am the God of Truth. It is what I honor above all in creation, from the great heavenly bodies to the lowliest of creatures.
        “Satan will constantly try to confuse your mind. You must remember that the great I Am, your Creator God, will tell you all you need to know. Do not listen to the cacophony of lying voices that stir up strife around you; rather listen to the one who hears.4 Listen to the one who humbles himself at my footstool. In that way, I can protect your mind. Further, you must protect your heart by doing what is right in my eyes. It will be a great temptation to do what seems right in your own eyes, but that will only lead to certain death. ‘For my thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are your ways, my ways,’5 Remember, too, that your faith in me is the spiritual substance of what you hope for, the evidence of an eternal future with me that you do not yet see.6 I have the greatest confidence in you, Adam. My desire that not one of your kind is lost to Me so I will do all I can to help your people choose to love and follow my way. Then, we will spin through eternity with our greatest joys resonating together.
        “My son, always be prepared to share My peace that will 'pass all understanding' with those who come after you. Again, remember, God will tell you all you need to know. Listen to the one who hears.”
        With those last words, the voice of God faded to a soft whisper and became silent. 
     
Endnotes for Chapter 4

1 www.pray4zion.org – Significance of blood moons
2 Holy Bible, Genesis 2:11 – The Gihon, Pishon, and Hiddekel became one now known as the Tigris River
3 Holy Bible, Ephesians 6 – Personal reflection
4 From a statement I saw on a banner I saw in one of my dreams – c. 2012
5 Holy Bible, Isaiah 55:8 (NKJV)
6 Holy Bible, Philippians 4:7