Because I chaptered this based on days and time, some chapters are very long, and others are very short. I clumped them in what seemed the best ways. Here you!
The Walls in the Middle of Idumea
Audiobook Prequel: Chapter 4 Parts A and B ready! “Walls in the Middle of Idumea”
Another big chapter chopped into two. More than two hours recorded here for you!
Audiobook PREQUEL: Chapter 3 parts A & B, “The Walls in the Middle of Idumea”
Because some of the chapters in this book are long, I’m breaking them up into hour-long chunks: Part A and Part B, both about an hour long.
In this chapter Pere is startled to realize that a lot has been going on that he’s not been aware of, but now that he is aware, he’s trying to fix them. He’s frustrated that he never questioned, never noticed. I’ve had that experience in my own life, surprised by what I realize should have been obvious. Makes me wonder what else I’m not noticing that I should, and I hope I notice with enough time to still do something about it.
Audiobook PREQUEL Chapters 1 and 2 of “The Walls in the Middle of Idumea”
What’s the best order for listening to the prequel in relation to the series? I didn’t really plan it, but after Book 2, “Soldier at the Door,” is a great place to start, because Perrin and Mahrree had been discussing Grandfather Pere Shin near the end.
After Book 4, “Falcon in the Barn,” is also a great spot since at the end of that book are some fun revelations about some characters we meet here.
But if you want to START the series with this prequel, you certainly may. I’ll never tell you what to do. However, you’ll probably be a little confused and maybe lost, since I wrote this assuming people would have context from reading at least a couple of books. (I wrote this after the entire series.)
But seeing as how this is my shortest work, I completely understand why you may want to start with the least intimidating book. (Some of my books are kinda long so, yeah, I get that. Start easy. I once read a whole book not realizing there were two in the series before it, and I managed through it ok. I was quite disoriented sometimes, but that can be a fun way of reading: not realizing that the main character is actually a princess whose parents died a book before and left her a kingdom she can’t reach, and wondering why they keep referencing this weird place where the entirety of book one actually took place, but I figured it out, eventually . . .)
So go ahead—jump right in here first. See if you like this pool. If so, I have a small ocean for you to dive into next.
What, really, is the point of power?
A wonderful university where I worked 15 years ago tried to instill the idea of Leader-Servant, that leaders serve those they lead, and no one makes a truly good leader who hasn’t been first a humble servant.
But we have it all backwards. There’s a battle in America now for who gets to be in charge and have the most servants (meaning, us). But America’s leaders are supposed to serve us; that detail has been ignored for some time now. (An interesting side note–historically, no republic has even lasted more than 200 years without a revolution; we’re now at 244 years. We’re overdue.)
(I personally hate having power or being in charge; it’s too much responsibility and I don’t want to disappoint anyone. Being #2 is far better–I’m a good helper, not a good leader. Ask anyone who’s had me in charge of something.)
Because we all deserve to live
A person’s value has nothing to do with what they can provide for others. Each of us begin life already with immense value, brought from the spirit world where we first resided.
A newborn baby arrives with the potential to become an unstoppable force for good. An embryo still in utero is a unique genetic pattern, never before seen, never again to occur: precious beyond anything else on earth just because of that uniqueness.
And even if someone never achieves “greatness,” or “wealth,” or “success” in the eyes of the world, that soul is still of infinite worth to the Father of us all.
Get the prequel, The Walls in the Middle of Idumea here.
Really, a fat man IN a chimney? Silly . . .
May your favorite fat man not get stuck in, around, or behind your chimney tonight.
Merry Christmas and may you feel the warmth and love of our Savior Jesus Christ today, tomorrow, and always!
Get the prequel, The Walls in the Middle of Idumea here.
Is it the truth, or a poor assumption we’re desperate to cling to?
I’ve discovered that learning a “new truth,” which means that my “old truth” was actually a “poorly constructed assumption,” can be very unsettling.
However, when I ponder the “new truth” and realize the wisdom and growth that comes from it, I’m able to let go of the “poor assumptions” which I was so enamored with, and move on to a far more “stable, honest reality.”
Granted, judging what’s “assumption” and what’s “truth” is a struggle, but it’s the ultimate struggle of life. It’s the whole reason we’re here: will we accept the truth when we discover it?
Get the prequel The Walls in the Middle of Idumea here!
Do you notice when you’re imprisoned?
I can think of too many situations where this is accurate, from politics to governments to societies: those who are “protecting” us are actually controlling us.
Anything that restricts your freedom, your ability to question, or your desire to think deeply is a potential prison.
Any society, government, or school of thought should be able to withstand scrutiny. In fact, it will welcome it as a way of evaluating weaknesses to turn them to strengths.
Where can we improve?
What’s not fully understood?
What have we misunderstood?
How do we rectify this error?
But groups that scream loudly for you to shut up, that won’t allow you to question premises, that suppress new ideas, that demand your conformity while claiming their diversity are hiding fundamental weaknesses they’re terrified someone will discover.
Escape, as fast as you can.
Get the prequel The Walls in the Middle of Idumea here!
Don’t stoop to take the insults; quietly prove them wrong
I always love this quote from Winston Churchill: “You will never reach your destination if you stop and throw stones at every dog that barks.”
There will always be people who try to tear you down, especially if you’re doing something good. They can’t abide it. How dare you show that something more can be accomplished? You make them look bad–stop it!
Perhaps you can take it as a good sign that someone’s trying to drag you down. It’s because they see you soaring.
Keep flying out of their reach, and don’t bother to address the barking dogs. You’ll be out of earshot soon enough.
Get the prequel The Walls in the Middle of Idumea here!
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