Here's a preview from The Pretenders for you to read: Chapter One - Anti-Freeze
Who could have dreamt that watching birds would turn out to be this exciting? It's time to wake up because this tale isn't just a dream - our feathered friends come with a true message from Blazing Glory. An important new day is about to dawn, so listen with your ears and watch with your eyes wide open. This true story is mixed with imagination, fun and peril.
As keen-eyed birdwatchers, follow the colourful trail and you will learn the difference between what is true and what is fake. This will be no ordinary journey but one where the trail will grow brighter and brighter each day. By the time you have finished, you will have discovered a great event that is about to take place. So, be prepared as you watch for the morning and wait for the Master, Jesus, to return.
Oscar the eagle flew high above the clouds, carrying his two friends Penny the sparrow and Melody the songbird on his long, strong back. These young Glides were ready for a lifetime of adventure, following the way to Blazing Glory. Melody took in the breathtaking view while plugged into her iPod, listening to her favourite rock music. The loud music took her mind off how high they were flying and helped her to overcome her fear of heights. Penny sat comfortably on Oscar's back, cleaning her wings by licking her wing feathers. She loved the view, but even more she loved the bright fruit badges that decorated her plain brown wings. She had earned these on their first Trick or Treat? adventure. Oscar, being a fine young student, had learned to trust Father God for everything and so was able to rest on the wind thermals which carried them high into the clear blue sky.
It seemed like they were being carried into the perfect day. Melody started to tap sharply with her claws on Oscar's wing as she listened to her favourite bird tunes. A nail on one of her claws caught on the edge of Oscar's fruit badge of patience. It chipped Melody's bright-pink nail polish which annoyed her no end. Melody gave a tug with her claw which started to fray the stitching on Oscar's badge. This ruffled Oscar's feathers but he reminded himself how important it is to continue doing the things taught in his manual, the Bible, so he didn't get cross. Being like Father God was a lesson to put into practice every day of his young life. The fruit badges had been awarded to remind the Glides of this truth.
Despite the commotion on board the flight, Oscar felt turbulence in the wind. The gentle breeze had changed into swirling currents coming from every direction. The four winds - North, South, East and West - were all blowing at the same time. Lots of other birds came flying in from every angle. This great gathering of birds began to blacken the sky. Penny became a little afraid and she clung on to Oscar for reassurance. Stuck in this traffic jam of migrating birds, Oscar had no option but to go with the flow and follow the growing crowd of feathered friends.
Beneath the giant flock of birds lay fields rolling into the distance like a perfect picture. The fields were coloured with yellow buttercups and wild red poppies. The flowers swayed in the breeze as the four winds beat across the landscape. Which way should they go? The force of the winds took control as the birds soared like freedom flyers towards the morning sun.
There was an unfamiliar sight in the distance. Tall metal pylons surged out of the ground like a line of robots defending the land. One by one, the birds found a pylon platform to rest on. As far as the eye could see there were birds resting on the pylons and the long wires joining them together. The birds seemed to be watching and waiting for something special to take place.
Oscar found a platform for himself and his two passengers and gasped in wonder at this increasingly amazing sight. Penny caught a floating feather in her beak. It carried words from Father God on it. She got out her Bible and read the message to find out what they should do.
Psalm 130 verses 5 & 6
No sooner had she finished reading the words to Oscar and Melody than Devine the dove gracefully flew in, carried by the morning winds. He perched beside them. Devine is the promised Holy Spirit who is sent by Father God. He teaches and guides friends of the Master, Jesus, along the road of truth that leads to the heavenly kingdom of Blazing Glory.