JUDAS  
ISBN 0-595-16612-1

Judas is a biographical novel of the disciple, the only Judean disciple as the others were Galileans.  Judas was the only disciple with a designated task, that of being treasurer.  As a Judean, as was Jesus even though Jesus was raised in Nazareth, a Galilean community, his upbringing would have been similar to Jesus's.  Judas lived an exemplary life only tarnished by the betrayal. The book is unique in that about a fourth of the book is following the betrayal.  Those who stop at the crucifixion miss much of great value. This is the first novel that looks at Jesus but from a different viewpoint. Forgiveness is made practical and the reader is challenged to answer, "Would Jesus have forgiven Judas?"  Most books look at Judas from a Christian perspective while this book looks at Jesus from Judas's perspective.

PARABLES FROM PARADISE  
ISBN 0-595-19659-4

All of the Parable books consist of culture - commentary - theology. Hawaii is more than the excitement of Waikiki, the sun, the surf and Hawaiian music. There are many cultures and they are all included in this and following parable books.  The subjects are not just real persons but also places, happenings, animals and even insects. Each parable is related to some scripture reference and it is the purpose of the author that persons will begin to look parabolically at their surroundings, the persons with whom they deal and the 'aina, the land, that because there is so little of it is really precious. As a person falls into love with his or her mate so it is possible to fall in love with the people and the land of Hawai'i.  Ten of the parables in this book are about very real specific persons who would be recognized by the Hawaiian readers. Their lives could be mirrored by many from every Hawaiian island.

DICK AND JANE:  Pre-Marriage Discussion with Youth and Others
ISBN 0-595-21524-6

Dick and Jane is a self-help book.  Having been involved in over 6000 pre-marriage, marriage, and pre-divorce counseling sessions there were many subjects that would enter often into the counseling conversation.  These are gathered into five (Chapter) units: Economics, Sex, Family, Couple and Religious Life.  The purpose is for the young person to examine his or her own life to strengthen these areas before seeking to find a mate.  When the young person is satisfied that he or she is mature in the specific area it is possible to honestly look for a lifetime mate.  The last three pages contain an outline of a five session counseling session for pre-marriage. This book covers the most prevalent causes of troubled marriages. The book also is valuable for couples already married to 'check up' on their thinking and thereby strengthen their relationships. This is the first book illustrated by Melba Tipton who had a unique ability to pick out pertinent emphases. At a time when 60% of the marriages arranged are ending up in divorce, pre-marriage counseling is a must and this book leads to, but is not a substitute, for counseling.

S'MORE PARABLES FROM PARADISE  
ISBN 0-595-30552-0

These are more parables from Hawai'i.  Included among many others is the story of Henry Obookiah who was the inspiration for missionaries to leave the security of the Eastern Seaboard of the United States to venture to the islands of Hawai'i. The book is named after the 's'more' that delectable concoction of chocolate, marshmallow and graham cracker. Once you have had one you want more and when one takes part in the parabolic venture in Hawai'i there is a desire to hear and see more and more.  Whether you sit in the neighbor island airport waiting room, ride "Da Bus" walk the streets of the neighboring villages to Honolulu or the neighbor islands or just pause and observe the world around you and the abundant mixture of cultures each of which seems to enliven each other culture.  The author was inserted into the culture and homes of the three congregations he served that involved possibly eight different cultures. The enrichment shows through in these parables.

POLAR STATE PARABLES    
ISBN 0-595-30642-X

The parabolic mode has now moved to Alaska.  The cover picture is a depiction of the early missionaries of many different denominations, the mural painted by Rie Muno, an artist of great note throughout Alaska.  There are still many differing personalities and they are seen with the same wonder as their Hawaiian counterparts.  The book also contains the three stanzas of the Alaska Flag Song, two that are recognized by the state of Alaska but the third that was recognized by Marie Drake, the author of the first two.  Again the experiences of Alaska are not viewed from a tour boat, or sightseeing coach but from living with people in the different villages and towns of Alaska, people who regularly experience the hardships but who determine that living in Alaska is worth the extra effort.  Such people have a unique spirit that is captured in many of the parables of this book. Though living in an area where neighbors are scarce and far between the closeness of each Alaskan to his neighbor is much stronger. There are many unique features caught within the landmass, and neighboring waterways of the great state. This parables book deals with many of them.

DEAR TIMOTHY
ISBN 0-595-37348-8

Basically this is an old and experienced pastor's advice to a new and young pastor. Some of the material deals with the tricks of the trade but mostly the book is an attempt to compliment the seminary education with practical measures often forgotten in seminary pastoral education.  In spite of advanced seminary theology with erudite theologians presenting supposedly new thoughts and new modern tricks with electronics and computer assistance the mettle of the pastor is the patient support in prayer and expressed consistent concern for the parishioner. God's service still demands a concern above self as God's word leads us closer to his kingdom through the teachings of Jesus, his son. This book acts as a "check me up" to guide the busy pastor in effective ministry.

GROCERY BAG PARABLES   
ISBN 0-595-37635-5

These are further Hawaiian parables.  Hidden among the parables are insights and cultural mores that are specifically Hawaiian and specifically of tropical interest.  The book's title parables is concerned with the modern emphasis on conservation.  In reading this book you become involved in more than warm beaches, waterfalls and shopping areas. You become involved in the lives of people, even the 'critters' that are all around you, the essence of the state.  No people on earth hold the 'aina, the land, in greater reverence than do the Hawaiian people.  There is not much of it and what there is faces crowding by those who have the wealth to buy pieces of it. Enjoy the stories but also heed the lifestyle.

JOHN, NO GREATER PROPHET   
ISBN 0-595-39774-3

This Biblical biographical novel carries the life of John the Baptist from his parent's marriage through to his death in the Roman fortress of Machaerus.  Though the Bible says very little about John there are clues to a lifestyle that carries his life from early training, through a consistent lifestyle, visiting the home of Joseph and Mary and many pertinent places in Palestine as he becomes the fore runner of Jesus.  The pertinent Biblical passages carry the skeleton from which the body of the novel becomes alive. The three Biblical Novels, Judas, John, No Greater Prophet and James, Camel Knees carry a consistent group of characters as they did exist. Together they give a human yet spiritual picture of Jesus, as the son of Joseph, then as the messiah, the son of God and finally as the savior.

SAMOAN PARABLES    
ISBN 0-595-44752-X

The nation of Western Samoa and the territory of American Samoa are possibly the two most Christian nations in the world today.  They have gone from primitive societies to Christian societies in just a few years, and the Christian faith is involved in everything that they do.  The author was a pelagi, a foreigner, but from that viewpoint the parables involve not only what is apparent today but also the past customs and stories of the islands. The book brings the islands from the Southern Hemisphere to the reader's home, and the Samoan people become not just neighbors but friends as the parables develop.

SHELDON JACKSON PARABLES    
ISBN 0-595-44748-1

The author spent three years as a dorm supervisor and director of physical education in Sheldon Jackson Jr. College.  The three years were spent in acculturation as the boys brought their home cultures to the Fraser Hall Dorm and the supervisor worked to lead the dorm with Christian motives. Strangely some of the boys were older than the dorm supervisor but they responded well to an ex-staff sergeant.  There was a mutual love and respect that passed between the boys and their supervisor and the parables portray the various incidents that took place in the life of the school. Often the parables are from behind the scene but they show a unique relationship of respect that existed and in some cases still exists today, over fifty years later.

JAMES, CAMEL KNEES   

Little biographical information is available through the Bible concerning James, the brother of Jesus.  As second in Joseph and Mary's family of children the duties of home fell on his shoulders when Jesus began his mission.  James was a unique individual, related to Jesus, charged with the care of his family, a leader in the Jerusalem church of the Way following the resurrection and ultimately an author of the first letter to the dispersed Christian believers.

Never an evangelist and one who seldom traveled, he became the consistent head of the mother church of Jerusalem. He took part in the early controversies of the Christian Church and his sweet demeanor should be a guide to our own troublesome days.

THE TRUE FAITH AND HOW I FOUND IT  by Samuel McGerald   ISBN ISBN 1-4196-7610-5

The Author, Samuel McGerald wrote the book in the late 1890s and the first publication was in 1912.  The author was the great grandfather of Ken Smith.  Samuel was raised in Ireland and was destined by his family to become a priest in the Roman Catholic Church.  However, one day he found a Bible and spent time reading it.  From there he began to diligently study the Bible and ultimately through that study became a Methodist minister.  This book is his story. The republication was through a photographic process and  Ken Smith has added only a new front and back cover. Pertinent Biblical passages are quoted and explained by Samuel. The author and Ken Smith never met but since reading his story we have never been closer.