Valley of Power

Descending the Cliffs of Compassion into the Valley of Power, I am made aware of my own weakness and need of the Spirit-of-Might, whom I will meet in the river basin below. The jagged rock walls of the mountains loom over me. I feel small and insignificant. Soon I must join a raid team that will enter the dangerous Dragon Lands, risking my life for the great OverLord of Many Names.

I am also entering the beautiful valley below, resplendent with its legendary orchards, because my raid team will need me to have a full realization of the Spirit's power when we go together on our first DragonRaid. Each of us will need to be strong in TwiceBorn character - each must learn how to live in the Mighty Spirit's power!

I travel this narrow path that winds down the cliffs, trusting in the powerful promise of the Sacred Scrolls:

But the fruit of the Spirit is love,

joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness,

faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.

Against such things there is no law.

Galatians 5:22,23

Having resolved my mind and overcome my desire to self-direct my life, I walk down the narrow path (Matthew 7:14) into the valley, seeking spiritual power for warfare against the evil dragons of the planet called Eden Again.

As I leave the enormous cliffs to enter the valley, I begin to smell a fragrance I greatly desire! It is a pure aroma - one one so strong and immaculate that it must be deadly to wickedness. It is the smell of the TwiceBorn perfume spoken of in the Sacred Scrolls:

But thanks be to God, who always leads us in

triumphal procession in Christ and through us spreads

everywhere the fragrance of the knowledge of Him.

For we are to God the aroma of Christ among those who

are being saved and those who are perishing. To the

one we are the smell of death; to the other, the fragrance of life.

2 Corinthians 2:14-16

I cannot yet see the nine orchards ahead, each with its own special type of fruit. Those who have gone before me have spoken of a strong fragrance, the perfumes of the nine fruits drifting on the winds that blend them into a blissful aroma.

The path winds through a dense grove of aspen trees, their quivering leaves fluttering in the gentle breeze that carries the lovely aroma. Suddenly, the trail leads right up to a huge granite cliff wall that blocks my way. On the massive rock is written these words:

Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with

the Spirit.

Galatians 5:25

Trying to understand the meaning of these words, my mind goes back to something I learned from the Sacred Scrolls at the LightRaider Academy:

Those who live according to the sinful nature have

their minds set on what that nature desires; but

those who live in accordance with the Spirit have

their minds set on what the Spirit desires.

Romans 8:5

The path seems to lead right into the rock wall. It is a well-traveled trail, and a heel mark lies in the dust - as if the toe of someone's boot disappeared into the stone! Gently, I place my foot against the rock to see if I too can walk through the wall. But my toe only rests up against it. I will have to figure out what the saying on the stone barrier means.

Again, I look at the inscription:

Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with

the Spirit.

(This is what I come up with as an explanation of those words written on the

cliff that blocks my way.)

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Compare your answer with the ANSWERS section, [A].

When I say aloud my understanding of the words on the gigantic boulder, a narrow path through the rock opens up. I can just barely squeeze through. All that I can see on the other side is sky. But I really want the TwiceBorn Fragrance! And so I walk ahead, right through the boulder cliff.

When I come out of the other side of the boulder wall, I find myself overlooking a beautiful orchard, still some distance ahead and about a thousand feet below. A trail leads down, and I hurry forward with much excitement. At first, the rabbits in my path scurry away; but then, as I round a bend moments later, I find at least a hundred blocking my path. Out front is a smaller, brown and white rabbit, who apparently wants to say something to me. I gently sit down in front of them and wait.

"It is written in the Sacred Scrolls," begins the smaller rabbit, "that you will fight evil with uncommon weapons, powers that only the TwiceBorn have. So it says in the Scrolls: 'For though we live in the world, we do not wage war as the world does. The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds.' If you can find the reference to this verse, we can proceed with our conversation."

I find the reference to the verse quoted is ___________________.

Compare your answer with the ANSWERS section, [B].

"You will travel through nine orchards," continues the rabbit leader. "Each orchard yields one fruit which, when eaten, will give you one new character strength. After eating all of the fruits, you will be sent into the Dragon Lands for a brief encounter that will test that new strength of character and show you your new power from the Spirit-of-Might.

"But before we can let you pass, we must know that you can name by memory the nine fruits of the Spirit-of-Might. They are named in Galatians 5:22-23. Can you name them without looking in the Sacred Scrolls?"

1._______________ 2._______________ 3._______________

4._______________ 5._______________ 6._______________

7._______________ 8._______________ 9._______________

Compare your answer with the ANSWERS section, [C].

[When you can name the nine fruits of the spirit, go to Section Sect. 7]

[Sect. 2] The castle gates open and out rides the most handsome man I have ever seen. His features take my breath away - and he appears to be about my age! Seeing me, he brings his horse to an abrupt stop.

He invites me into the castle, and I accept. Over the following days, he shows me about his halls and we explore the countryside together. We are never far apart, and within a week he falls deeply in love with me. As he is the prince of this hold, it is assumed that we will wed. His family is highly favored by the local dragons.

[Go to section Sect. 11]

[Sect. 3] The trees wait until they are satisfied I understand their meaning, that to have the power of Love means to do what the Almighty One desires, even if it risks my own well-being. Having overcome the world, the TwiceBorn see beyond its comforts to its hurts, as well as seeing beyond its pleasures to the far better life in the Land Beyond the Darkness. The Spirit of Might gives us power to live only for the OverLord of Many Names.

Then a golden fruit drops into my hands. "Good aim," I say to myself. Examining the fruit, whatever it is called, I notice that it is perfect. There are no bruises, blemishes or deformities. "The Love Fruit - that's its name," I say aloud. And with that discovery, I eat the Spirit's fruit.

(What do you remember about what the bible says about ‘Love’? Research verses about 'Love' in your bible's concordance, and write the references down here.)

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Suddenly a path materializes in front of me. It leads deeper into the trees. Do I follow it?

[If YES, go to Sect. 4]

[If NO, go to Sect. 6]

[Sect. 4] As I walk into the orchard, the Song gets louder until I stand before a small, very deep pool of crystal clear water. I drink a little. It is so refreshing!

Then across the small water hole, I see footprints appear, sinking into the turf one after another, and traveling toward the tiny pond. As each invisible foot makes its impression into the grass surrounding the pool, pure fire briefly flares and goes out before scorching the grass. It is as though invisible fire is walking towards the pool.

As the footprints draw near to the edge of the pool, the water hole suddenly turns into a very deep whirlpool. The water below the swooshing funnel seems bottomless.

The footprints of fire walk into the water funnel and disappear. I stand before the whirlpool in awe.

(What will you do?)

[I don't know what to do, go to Sect. 12]

[I walk into the whirlpool, go to Sect. 9]

[I leave the orchard, go to Sect. 5]

[Sect. 5] The moment you step out of the miraculously enchanted orchard you find yourself back home. The whole marvelous scene has vanished, because you did not want to keep in step with the Spirit of Might and enter the whirlpool.

The power of Love could have helped you risk your life in the service of the OverLord.

Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit.

Galatians 5:25

Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends.

John 15:13

[If you change your mind about leaving the orchard, go back to Sect. 4]

[Sect. 6] Why not? Everything that has happened to you in this grove is good. There is no evil in the orchard.

[If you change your mind and follow the path, go to Sect. 4]

[Sect. 7] A most beautiful orchard lies before me, one of nine that I will travel to gain and test new strengths. As I draw nearer I hear music and song - it is coming from the orchard itself! The trees are singing to the OverLord of Many Names! Bright golden fruit, narrow at both ends and bulging in the middle, hangs gracefully from slender branches.

The Song of the Trees is a hint to what Character Strength is to be gained in their midst. The melody is a mixture of the rustle of leaves and the sweetness of new fruit. I listen to the words:

Grant us great power to but selfless be,

Wanting to serve not ourselves, only Thee.

Purge us from aimless and needless desires,

Let us join the battle of holy fires!

Trying to remember my training at the LightRaider Academy and pulling out my LightRaider Handbook to study the definitions of the nine Character Strengths, I try to decide which of the nine I will gain in this marvelous orchard. I know that the Song of the Trees is all the hint I will need.

I conclude that the fruit I will gain here is _______________.

(List the reasons you have decided this.)

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(Look up in your own copy of the Sacred Scrolls - the Bible - the following verses:)

Nehemiah 5:10-15 Galatians 4:11-20

Matthew 5:41-48 Revelation 2:1-6

Mark 12:29-33 Luke 6:31-35

(What do these verses teach about Love?)

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[After you have filled in the blanks, go to section Sect. 13]

[Sect. 8] In the morning I ride out with the words of the Too Good To Be True WordRune on my lips. The castle guards, who always insist on accompanying me when I am apart from my betrothed, follow behind me. I wonder if there is any chance of escape.

I cry out to the OverLord for help. A large part of my heart still lies with those wonderful dreams of marriage and castle life. I ask Him that I not turn back. And I ask for a way of escape.

The Holy and True One sends help. There before my horse's hooves are footprints running and indenting the soil, the faintest flicker of flame visible from each footprint. The Spirit of Might has come!

But the footprints are speeding so far ahead of me that I am fearful I will not be able to follow. Just as I am about to lose track of them, the footprints disappear into a tree....a Hollow Tree!

Jumping off my horse and dodging arrows from my pursuers, I dash into the breach in the tree....and in the next instant I find myself climbing out of the tiny but deep water hole. A path leads from the pool out of the Love orchard.

My new Love Character Strength held. I passed the test!

[Go to Sect. 15]

[Sect. 9] The water funnel pulls me down so quickly that I almost don't have time to begin holding my breath. I go so far down that it seems I can never get back up, and I will surely drown. I have never been without air this long before. I can't do it! Finally, unable to endure, I gasp for air, knowing that water instead will rush in. But, to my surprise, it is air that greets my lungs. And I am completely dry! In fact, I am actually standing before the closed gates of the most marvelous castle I have ever seen.

[If you are a male LightRaider, go to Sect. 14]

[If you are a female LightRaider, go to Sect. 2]

[Sect. 10] I am given time to make my decision, but as the weeks [months?] pass, the comeliness of my betrothed and the pleasures of the castle luxury turn dull as I eventually remember the OverLord's love for me and my vows to Him.

[If you decide not to wed, you must recite the Too Good to be True WordRune, then go to Sect. 8]

Too Good to be True WordRune

2 Timothy 2:22

Flee the evil desires of youth, and pursue righteousness, faith, love and

peace, along with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart.

[Sect. 11] If I wed and become royalty in this wonderful castle, I would have it all! My days would be spent doing just as I please. I would never have to do any boring work. The palace physician would take care of all my health needs, and cooks and squires would wait on me hand and foot - and not only me, but my family as well!

What should I do?

[If you decide to wed, go to Sect. 10]

[If you decide to flee, you must recite the Too Good To Be True WordRune

and then go to Sect. 8]

Too Good to be True WordRune

2 Timothy 2:22

Flee the evil desires of youth, and pursue righteousness, faith, love and

peace, along with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart.

[Sect. 12] You remember the verse that opened the Guardian Stone:

Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit.

Galatians 5:25

[If you still don't know what to do, think about it for a while.]

[If you walk into the whirlpool, go to Sect. 9]

[If you leave the orchard, go to Sect. 5]

[Sect. 13] I realize that it is the Love Character Strength that I will gain from eating the fruit of this orchard. Love gives the TwiceBorn power to turn from serving themselves. It is not a feeling, but a conscious decision. It is the ability to deny self and follow the OverLord, doing good all the time. It is the ability to wait for the Glorious Land Beyond Death rather than spend useless effort on gaining security and comfort on EdenAgain during the Short Sojourn.

As this truth sinks into my very soul, an extraordinarily large leaf floats down to me on a gentle breeze. On it is written a verse from the Sacred Scrolls:

This is love for God: to obey his commands.

And his commands are not burdensome,

for everyone born of God overcomes the world.

1 John 5:3-4a

(Do you know what this verse teaches? Write down your thoughts.)

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[After writing what this verse means to you, go to Sect. 3]

[Sect. 14] The castle gates open and out rides the most gorgeous woman I have ever seen. Her beauty takes my breath away - and she appears to be about my age! Seeing me, she brings her horse to an abrupt stop.

She invites me into the castle, and I accept. Over the following days, she shows me about her halls and we explore the countryside together. We are never far apart, and within a week she falls deeply in love with me. As she is the princess of this hold, it is assumed that we will wed. Her family is highly favored by the local dragons.

[Go to Sect. 11]

[Sect. 15] I leave the Love Orchard newly empowered with the ability to deny my own safety, comfort and pleasure. I am now able to wholeheartedly embrace the work of the OverLord of Many Names and be truly useful to others.

But I find an iron gate blocking my path! From beyond the gate comes a pleasant smell, an intensification of one of the nine fruity aromas that make up the wonderful TwiceBorn fragrance.

The gate that bars my way is delicately ornate and joins huge boulders on both sides. Its rusty latch is locked tightly and the gate is quite strong. I try the Gate Opening WordRune.

Gate Opening WordRune

Psalm 118:20

This is the gate of the LORD through which the righteous may enter.

[When you can say the Gate Opening WordRune

from memory, go to Sect. 24]

[Sect. 16] I stand there pondering the evil that these greedoes are perpetrating. In many ways, these dark creatures use the same strategy as did the Great Red Dragon while in the Garden of Eden. The dragon talked the woman Eve into desiring more than what was good for her. These greedoes in front of me are selling dragon slaves into bondage to things that keep them from having time for relationships with people. They are selling a false happiness, one that will blow away and disappear overnight.

I wander down the market way, listening to the babble of its many merchants. The market is centered around a crossroads, the main road leading to the village of Dragon's Hoard in one direction and Funhaven in the other. The crossroad is a smaller path, leading to Vainglory one way and Goodbegone the other.

Then I spot it, there in the middle of the Crossroads: the Hollow Tree escape. A group of children, not realizing what it is, run in and out of it while they play. But through the open crack in the tree, I can see the pool through which I came.

An ugly greedo hails me from his booth. I approach cautiously. Up close, this creature is repulsive.

The greedo tries to sell me a very pleasurable package. He is selling a combination easy chair and large-screen crystal ball. With it comes a complete schedule of events and their times so that I can peek in whenever I want. He says to me, "There is no more important thing in life than watching others having fun! He who dies with the most toys, wins!"

(Write your reply here.)

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[After you have written your reply, go to Sect. 26]

[Sect. 17] Why do neither of the choices sound acceptable to you?

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[When you have written your answer, go to Sect. 28]

[Sect. 18]