Rachael C. Duncan

“there is a central theme running through each story in the Scriptures – God is our Creator, and He knows what is best for us. When we walk in obedience, we enjoy His protection and His many blessings. But when we – like Cain – choose to walk in disobedience, then we suffer the results of sin. Death and destruction.”
― Rachael C. Duncan, A Still Small Voice

“*SNEAK PEAK*

An Excerpt from Grace Prevailing, to be released TOMORROW!!! :)

“Agabus.” Mary smiled warmly as she reached him, her luminous gray eyes twinkling with welcome and a hint of mirth. “How brave of you to join us this evening.”
Agabus’ dark eyes met hers, flickering in annoyance. So much for his clever disguise!
“I must ask you to lower your voice, please,” the young Pharisee hissed under his breath, wondering how many of her guests had overheard the use of his name.
“You needn’t fear, Agabus,” Mary assured him, lowering her dulcet tone to placate him. “None of us wish to give you away.”
“One careless slip of the tongue could very well prove ruinous,” Agabus told her, his glittering eyes sweeping cautiously about the room. “Possibly even deadly.”
“Not nearly so deadly as rejecting the Way Christ has clearly revealed to you.”
“He hasn’t revealed anything to me,” Agabus argued, though his tone was far from convincing. “At least, not personally.”
“No?” Mary prompted, her slender brow lifting in question. “Then why are you here? And why do you persist in your questions?”
“This is not about me,” Agabus insisted, his voice rising in frustration. When several believers glanced his way, he shifted uncomfortably, pulling his hooded shawl to further obscure his bearded face. “I must speak with you,” he finally concluded, his gaze shifting anxiously about the crowded room. “Alone.”
“If you wish to speak, then we may speak here.”
“For heaven’s sake, Mary,” Agabus breathed, his frustration mounting.
“Go on,” Mary prodded, appearing perfectly composed.
Maddeningly aware of the chatter and movement surrounding them, Agabus took a step closer, so close Mary could smell his spice-scented breath. “I come bearing ill tidings.”
“Why doesn’t that surprise me?” Mary responded, smiling faintly. “What kind of ill tidings?”
“It’s about Saul of Tarsus.”
“I see,” Mary nodded, her expression sobering beneath her pale blue head covering. “What has he done now?”
“It’s what he is about to do,” Agabus warned her, his obsidian eyes growing serious. “At this moment, he is attempting to obtain permission to target churches beyond Jerusalem.”
“Preposterous,” Mary declared, her eyes flashing. “He hasn’t the jurisdiction to do so.”
“The high priest is seriously considering granting his request,” Agabus told her grimly. “Your sect endangers the very office he holds.”
“On what grounds will Saul make his arrests?”
“By order of the high priest,” Agabus sighed. “I imagine Jewish men and women will be dragged from other provinces by order of the Great Sanhedrin.”
“Women, too?” Mary asked, surprised.
“I’m afraid no one is safe,” Agabus replied grimly. “Once within the grasp of the high priest and the Sanhedrin here in Jerusalem, I imagine far more serious political charges will be fabricated against the prisoners, resulting in life in prison—possibly even the death penalty.”
Releasing a steadying sigh, Mary brushed cool fingertips across her smooth forehead, deep in thought.
“This isn’t good, Mary,” Agabus warned her, daring yet another step closer. “Up to this point, your friends have been safe beyond our borders. But now… if Saul has his way, they cannot run. They cannot hide. In time, they will be hunted down and exterminated one by one. And their cause shall perish with them.”
“Never,” Mary said firmly, her eyes flashing. “The gospel will reach the ends of the earth, Agabus. Mark my words.”
“There’s just no way,” Agabus countered, shaking his covered head.
“God has already made a Way,” Mary told him, her eyes alight with conviction. “And His name is Jesus. Jesus is the Way.”
― Rachael C. Duncan, Grace Prevailing: A Christian Historical Romance