Catherine DeVries - Adventure Bible Storybook

Adventure
BIBLE
Storybook

WRITTEN BY
Catherine DeVries

ILLUSTRATED BY
Jim Madsen

This book belongs to:

To you, Bradthe love of my life
and to our children, Bryce, Breia, and Brent.
May our home always be filled with laughter,
good books, and especially Gods love.
Catherine

To my mom and dad,
who encouraged me to
color within the lines
but forgave me when I didnt.
Jim

The big black space stretched through empty darkness. Then God created light that even the blackest night could not contain. All in one day. The very first day.

God made the trickling, bubbling, whooshing water. And up, up high, God placed the sky. God created it all in one day. The second day.

Out of the whooshing water came the land. Into the ground went roots, then sprouts appeared, and bursting buds of plants, trees, and flowers. All in one day. The third day.

Then God whirled the sun and moon into space. He scattered the stars in the sky. God made them all. In just one day. The fourth day.

In the sea, God made fish and all kinds of creatures. In the sky, soaring birds and fluttering butterflies. God made them all in just one day. The fifth day.

What fun God had making wild animals of every kind tall, short, furry, smooth!

Then God made Adam, the very first man. And God made Eve, the very first woman. Wild animals and people. All in one day. The sixth day.

Then God rested. For an entire day. The seventh day.

Gods world and everything that lived in it was ready now ready for the adventure to begin.

As Eve sat on a warm rock, she felt something slide against her toes. It was a creature she had never seen before.

What has Adam named you? she asked.

I am the serpent, it hissed, flicking its long tongue. What is that delicious smell? it asked as it slithered by.

Eve followed the serpent down a winding path. They stopped at The Tree. Many fruits hung from its branches. It smells delicious, I agree, said Eve. But serpent, God told us not to eat from The Tree. Any other tree is fine, but not this one.

The serpent coiled itself around a large branch. It asked, Why wouldnt God want you to have this wonderful fruit? Hes just afraid you will become like him if you eat it. Your eyes will be opened, and you will understand many things.

Eves stomach growled. She reached toward The Tree. Just as she took a bite of fruit, Adam peeked around The Tree. Adam, you have to try this. It is so sweet and delicious. Adam knew better, but he took a bite anyway.

Adam looked at Eve. Eve looked at the serpent. It slithered away. Something had changed. Something was not right. When Adam and Eve heard God walking in the garden, instead of running to him, they ran away.

God sent Adam and Eve out of the garden. They had disobeyed him. They had sinned. Before them was a world they did not know. They had each other, and they knew God still loved them, but their lives were changed forever.

Noah swayed in his hammock, drifting in and out of sleep. The rain was coming down hard now. And the thunder sounded close. Noah could hear the squawks, oinks, woofs, moos, baa-as, and roars of all the animals in his noisy neighborhood. It wasnt easy living here.

Suddenly the ark lurched, and Noah fell out of his hammock. It was time to milk the cows anyway. Even though it was dark, Noah knew exactly where he was. He heard his wifes footsteps. Her basket of eggs clunked his back as she walked by. Oops, sorry, she said. Breakfast will be ready soon, if I can keep these eggs in the pan. The storm sure is strong today!

Noah looked forward to the day when he would walk on steady ground again and see horses gallop across golden fields, monkeys leap from tree to tree, and turtles meander through the green grass.

Thank you, God, said Noah, clasping his rough, worn hands together. Thank you for promising to save me, my family, and these animals.

The first beams of morning light streamed into the dark ark. A dove flew down from the rafters and perched on a windowsill. Soon the dove would fly out that window and never come back. Because it would find land and so would the ark. And a new adventure in Gods world would begin.

Abram (soon to be known as Abraham) looked across the valley. The stars above glittered like jewels in a treasure chest. A booming voice echoed through the valley, Abram Abram.

Abram knew who it was.

Yes, Lord, he answered.

Count the stars in the sky. Tell me how many there are.

Abram laughed. Lord, you know I am too old to see that far. Besides, there are too many stars to count!

So shall your offspring be! God said.

How can this be? Abram asked. I dont have any children, and Im an old man.

God told Abram that his wife, Sarai (soon to be known as Sarah), would have a baby boy. Abram imagined holding his baby and tickling his little cheek. It took Abram a minute to understand. But he believed because God said it would be so.