In December 1967, my life was in more trouble than I could realistically handle. While in the midst of those struggles, I asked the Lord to forgive me for all the wrong that I had done and to put my life on a path that would lead me out of my difficulties. More than forty years later, I can now report that He was faithful to do just that. He changed me from the inside out. Then He changed the dreadful circumstances of my entire life. Since that night in 1967, I have experienced the joy of knowing the God of the universe and the one and only Creator of everything. Through the years, I have diligently and carefully studied the Bible in hopes of better understanding all that happened to me on and after that night in 1967. Most people in this life for one reason or another never accept the free gift of salvation that has been provided by God to everyone. Of those that do, unfortunately, most never get to where they really understand the true essence of what that great gift of salvation even means. Therefore, this book has been written for three specific purposes. The first has been to present the many evidences that support the Christian Faith, namely those evidences that show that God is real, that Jesus is Lord, and that the Bible is the true Word of God. Those chapters are intended to help Christians better understand the solid foundation upon which Christianity stands. They will also show those that are not Christians that this whole "religious" thing is real. The second purpose of this book has been to share the pure utter logic of God's salvation plan, to show how and why His plan is the only true plan, and also to reveal that it is the only plan that really makes sense. The third and final objective has been to explain how through Jesus Christ an individual can have a personal, right relationship with the God that created them. That part of the discussion will be followed with some simple but important spiritual principles for showing everyone how to live a life that is pleasing to God. I am grateful for the new life that I received in Him in 1967. I am grateful that He has given me the knowledge and ability to even attempt this work. I am grateful for answered prayers. I am pleased for the peace that I have felt over the past years as I have labored on this book. In a few moments, my part in all of this will be done. I will then turn this whole project over to the Lord. From that moment on, how far this book goes and before whose eyes it comes will be His business, not mine. Through it all, may He be the One that gets all the honor and glory for what He has done and continues to do in the hearts and lives of those that trust Him.

Jack Crocker-Catchin' the Con is a story about four children on a summer adventure into the deep woods of rural America that takes place in the mid 1960's. The four kids are in search of old dilapidated shacks, barns and farmhouses, riding a pony and an old mule into the hills on this their latest expedition.
Their paths cross unexpectedly with a dangerous escaped convict, Arnold "Buzz Saw" Mayhew. Once the kids realize the identity of the stranger sneaking around their camp in the middle of the night Jack and his buddies must figure out a way to escape, elude or capture the felon. They set a man-trap for the convict, which later backfires and turns their adventure into a struggle for survival. Jack and his three friends, Roxie, Wes and "Head" separate after setting the trap. The three head back to the community for help while Jack stays to keeps a wary eye on "Buzz Saw."
After a couple of days with no clues as to the location of the escaped con, one man in the local community realizes that the convict has fooled them with his slick getaway. He realizes the kids are in immediate danger from the convict and his cronies. The man, Deputy "Wild Bill" McGill is now in a race to find the convict and felons before his and the community's worst fears come true.
As the three kids go back for help they encounter two surveyors on a backwoods road. The men are only disguised as surveyors. They are part of the escaped con's gang. Guns are pulled on the unsuspecting kids and they are captured by the ruthless felons.
As the man-hunt by the local police intensifies a couple of backwoods, local hillbillies witness the taking of the kids as prisoners. They are part of an old reclusivehill family that is notorious for their eccentricities and backward ways. They relate the kids' entire predicament to their pa and ma and are sent back on a mission to secretly assist Jack in the pursuit of the felons.
The story will take you on a wild ride of twists and unexpected turns. It is fast paced and humorous with its cast of odd and eccentric characters. Jack Crocker Catchin' the Con is the first in a series of books about these quirky and lovable characters' adventures and exploits.

The second edition of this book has been written to clean up some of the poorly worded statements in the first edition and to show important Bible verses rather than just refer to them. It analyzes the key Greek words and discusses the message of the fifth chapter of the gospel of Matthew. In so doing, what Jesus meant when He spoke about what are called the Beattitudes, salt, light, anger, divorce, truthfulness, personal injury, and love are discussed. His message was not to show that people earn their salvation by good works. Instead, He was teaching them in embryonic form the way people that are indwelled by the Holy Spirit will be led. While not everyone obeys the Spirit's leading and lives up to His teachings, all Christians have the capability and responsibility. From the beginning to the end, the Lord's message was consistent. He taught that a person should not merely live for himself or herself but that he or she should live for God first and then for others. His whole sermon could have been summed up by a statement that He made on a later occasion. Matthew 22:37-39 says, "Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself." In Matthew 5:48, the Greek word teleios was used for "perfect." That word means wanting nothing necessary for completeness. Christians are not supposed to be wanting for anything in their spiritual lifestyle and manner. They should be mature in their faith and willing to do their best to live by the principles that Jesus presented in His sermon.

The first book in the Jack Crocker Series, Jack Crocker Catchin' the Con, (Trafford Publishing) is another fun and hilarious romp by Jack and his three pals, Roxy, Head and Wes on a summer misadventure with an escaped convict and his "goon squad." It's a wild ride of twists and unexpected turns that will keep you on the edge of your seat wanting more.

It was during a time when his family was financially down that the author discovered his passion. In a county fair where it was even hard for him and his mother to experience a single ride, he found himself fascinated with only one amusement-the old Curtis Robin airplane. Luckily for him, a family friend gave him the chance to ride it himself. As soon as the engine roared to life and the airplane lurched forward across the rough pasture and into the sky where he could see the beautiful view from above, he knew right then that he wanted to go flying for the rest of his life. Now in his late 70's Bangart relives his wonderful journey through the skies and life to bring inspiration to others. In this autobiography, he reminisces his adventures as a pilot during the Great Depression, treating the reader with an inside look at growing to manhood during the first half of the twentieth century. His descriptions of the early days of Alaska bush flying, and the trials and hazards of the early airline flying are given in great detail. A person does not have to be a pilot or airplane enthusiast to enjoy this book. It covers such things as driving the Alaska- Canadian highway both in summer and winter weather, making a home in Alaska with a new bride, how government has brought many changes in our lives, and many insights into life itself. If you have been a passenger on an airliner during these early years, this book will give you a perception to what went on behind the closed cabin door where the pilots were secluded.

This book is the first comprehensive guide to East Asian collections in American and Canadian libraries. It covers fifty-five collections and deals primarily with materials in East Asian vernacular languages, mainly Chinese, Japanese, and Korean. The guide also covers materials in both book and nonbook form. Description given to each collection emphasizes subject strengths, areas of specialization, special materials and collections, access services, interlibrary loan service, library automation, network and consortium participation, contact information, library catalogs, and other publications. In addition to printed materials, this guide includes rare items such as old manuscripts and inscriptions, rubbings, oracle bones, and fine printing. Entries are arranged alphabetically by name of the parent institution. A list of geographical collections and a general index aid access to the material. The work will be useful to scholars, researchers, and students in East Asian Studies and to East Asian librarians.

The kids are at it again!
This time they're in the Florida Everglades chasing after a dangerous group of notorious smugglers. Fast airboats and some wild, rough and tumble characters make for another exciting adventure in the third book in the Jack Crocker series. Hold on to your hats for the most fun yet.

The second edition of this book has been written to clean up some of the poorly worded text in the first edition and to show important Bible verses rather than just refer to them. In looking at the first chapter of the epistle of James, this book considers authorship, the date that the epistle was written, and the basis for its acceptance into the biblical canon. With a strong focus on the Greek language, the goal has been to perform good exegesis on the original text. Among the topics examined are enduring temptation, receiving a crown of life, living one's faith everyday, and recognizing pure and undefiled religion. James taught in verse five that a person can ask God for wisdom to overcome their trials, tribulations, and tempting experiences. He taught in verse twelve that a crown of life awaits those saints who endure their temptations. In verses thirteen through fifteen, he taught that our own lustful nature often gives birth to the sins that ensnare us. He taught in verses eighteen through twenty-three that we are born of God and that His Word has been placed within us by the indwelling of the Holy Spirit. We will sometimes fail. But if we have received Christ as our personal Savior, then we still always have the constant companionship of the Comforter to guide us. Therefore, as James would say, let us always practice the wise teachings of Scriptures and hold fast to our Faith in Christ, our risen Savior. In verse twenty-seven, he concluded chapter one by encouraging the beloved brethren to have a watchful eye towards helping those around them in need and by doing their best to live right. Temptations come. But by the grace of God, we can live for Him through all of them each and every day of our life. To God be the glory for those things that He has done in the hearts and lives of those that trust Him.

This book has been written to examine the seven statements that Jesus had made while He was on the cross. When someone is about to pass away, their final words are often worth remembering, and that is definitely true of the Lord. In chapter one, many of the events that had led up to His crucifixion will be discussed. The Old Testament prophecies about His coming, His mission while on earth, and His Incarnation will be considered. An important conversation that He had had with Nicodemus will be examined to see why He had to be crucified as opposed to experiencing some other kind of death. His apprehension by the Roman forces will be discussed along with the six different trials that He had experienced before being condemned to die. Then the Roman scourging that He had experienced after being condemned will be described. Chapter one will conclude by identifying two of the main reasons that the Jewish people had been so adamant about rejecting the Lord as their Messiah. With that background material in place, chapter two will then look closely at each of the seven statements that Jesus had made while on the cross. As will be seen at that time, each statement that He had made had special significance. One thing that will be considered is whether or not the people that He had prayed for en route to Golgotha were actually forgiven. Another part of the study will look at the differences between paradise in the Old Testament and the New Testament. That part will also explain why they are different. The discussion will look at why Jesus had asked His Father about being forsaken and also at what He had meant when He said that it is finished. From looking at each of His statements, it will be clear that He had been selfless right up until the last breath of His life. Chapter three will follow the examination of His seven statements and briefly consider what the Bible says relative to His deity and Lordship. The conclusion at that time will be that Jesus was and is the Messiah for whom the Jewish people have waited since the Garden of Eden with Adam and Eve. It will also be that the Bible confirms over and over in every book, in every chapter, and in almost every verse that He is the Lord, the Son of God, the second Person of the Trinity, and the Christ. As a final note, in performing the above analyses the more significant original language Hebrew and Greek words will be examined and discussed so that what the original Bible authors were communicating can be better understood. Looking at the original language and putting the key verses into their intended context is almost always very helpful for someone that is trying to understand the Bible. The hope with this book is that the Lord will be honored and glorified by what has been written and that the reader will acquire a much greater appreciation and deeper love for the Lord. Very few people today are really aware of exactly what Jesus went through on their behalf.