Bøger af Paul Johnston

Pearlie Jane's Soul Food Kitchen Volume 2 is the completion of the two volume, five story, anthology set centered on the life of the fictional Pearlie Jane Meadow of Middletown, Ohio. Pearlie Jane is a tiny black lady with a kind and giving heart wrapped up in the outward package of a feisty senior citizen with a temper that sometimes flares. This sweet lady describes herself as being "an ol' heathen" for the first sixty years of her life. In this Volume 2 of the set we find her befriending and encouraging a four foot tall high school senior named Martin Dempsey who also has severely deformed facial features. Martin views himself as hideous and when he falls in love with a normal girl, Pearlie Jane lends her wisdom to the mix as to whether or not he is worthy to ask her out. This is a really heart wrenching story of the ultimate underdog. Then follow Martin's life as an adult and learn how he becomes known as the "Mother Teresa" of Springfield. Then say goodbye to Martin and hello to Leon from Volume 1. Learn of the tragic childhood of this gentle giant with a child's mind and a heart filled with the love of Jesus. Hear also the personal testimony of the author, Paul Johnston Sr., and learn of the people in his life that showed him the path to Christ and encouraged him in his own Christian walk. Don't you dare read this book without a box of tissues at hand. That advice goes for the guys too, because more than one has confided in the author that they could not fight back the tears as they followed these lovable characters through the valleys of their lives.

If you are searching for a biography regarding the decorated and esteemed American General, Martin Dempsey, then this is not the book for you. This is a book about the life's journey of a fictional physically afflicted teenager who shares the same name. They are not related or connected in any way. If you enjoy reading about the strivings and eventual success of an underdog with all the odds stacked against him, please keep reading. On the first day of the first grade little Martin Dempsey entered a regular public school in Middletown Ohio . The class bully decided that Martin's deformities creeped him out and Martin did not belong in his school. He made a rule, "No one talks to the Freak". This book takes up the story in their senior year. Initially out of fear, then out of habit, Martin has been totally ignored and isolated by his classmates for over eleven years when a new kid arrives who challenges the bully who is still enforcing his rule. The new kid befriends Martin and causes his class to grow a conscience. Follow Martin's journey from isolation to striving for a normal life. You'll wipe tears, laugh, and cheer before the book ends.

A small, weak, and sickly young man who excels at academics leaves the family farm when the love of his life falls in love and marries his often overbearing brother. His talent for art and foreign languages propels him from teacher to headmaster of a private academy. Later in life, the chance at an even better life presents itself when a timber baron recruits him as a private tutor for his children. In route to this new opportunity he stumbles across a Sasquatch and his life takes a turn in a whole new direction. This short fantasy novelette will draw you into this man's life and reinforce your Christian faith. This is a compelling story for the believer and non-believer alike.

Arrogance and Deceit is comprised of two faith based novels about flawed heroes. Both of these novels were previously published in a simple screenplay style. This book combines the novel, DAVEY'S DECEPTION, which is based upon the earlier work DAVEY, BULLIED TO EXTREMES with the author's best selling and reviewed work, ARROGANCE IN LINCOLN COUNTY, now revised and expanded into a novel format. It became apparent to the author that many people loved his characters and enjoyed his plots, but were not fully enjoying the earlier works because of the script style in which they were written. This is a response to constructive criticism and an attempt to keep all the action of a fast moving movie script, while presenting it in a more mainstream format. DAVEY'S DECEPTION takes the author's own vivid recall of cruel bullying from his own past and attempts to extract some good from the experience by spinning a tale of a young man bullied to the verge of suicide who fights back, but then finds himself tangled in a web of deceit of his own making from which only God can deliver him. It is the author's goal to have the reader shouting for joy by the time this dark journey is ended. In ARROGANCE IN LINCOLN COUNTY, a senior citizen sees his neighbor come home in a drunken rage and assault his wife. He hears her cries and screams, but is helpless to do anything about it. The last straw occurs the next morning when he finds his neighbor's two young children asleep in his barn and too frightened to go home. This senior citizen, now a respectable Christian, had a dark past of his own. He promises the children he will protect them and their mother, but soon finds that fulfilling his promise may cost him his freedom or even his life. In the process of keeping his promise, he must also reach out to former friends who are not so Christian in their beliefs. This is an intricate drama sprinkled with humor that will not disappoint.

Davey: Bullied to Extremes is the compelling story of a young man so severely bullied that he was pushed to the edge of suicide. When he chooses to live, he faces the bullies alone in a manner that is inconsistent with his kind and easygoing personality. This book looks at just how far a person can be pushed and the consequences of the choices we make. The reader is treated to a journey in unfamiliar waters that takes him/her through times of great sadness and also great rejoicing. This book contains numerous feel good moments and leaves the reader wanting more. Do not read without both a box of tissues and a good sense of humor.

One man's personal journey through the pages of his Bible to discover the truth of last days events.

Heaven's Way is a story of two men. One man is a highly successful professional athlete driven to success by a controlling father. He has every material possession in life a man could want yet true happiness seems to have eluded him. The other is a humble man, a wounded veteran living an impoverished life in a mission catering to veterans. All of his life's dreams have been stolen from him. You will want to read this compelling story of faith and sacrifice that answers the question, " Do nice guys always finish last?".

Godly Words is actually two books in one. The book begins with seven of the most personal poems written by Christian author Paul Johnston Sr. The last of these poems "Things are Things and God is God" transitions into a study of last days events regarding the second coming of Christ. There is a forward and ten brief lessons written in simple style to distill twenty seven years of Bible study and observations into a common sense approach to understanding last days prophecy. The conclusions about the fate of America are sobering yet thought provoking. This book represents a good faith attempt to look beyond denominational bias and truly attempt to learn the truth of future events.

This is the biography of a truly amazing man. Edward Bates was born into poverty in the hills of Kentucky and was afflicted with a learning disability, dyslexia, and struggled to get an education. He left school with only a seventh grade education. He served in the U.S Army throughout WWII having many close calls. After the war he returned to London, Kentucky, to pump gas at the station where he had been employed before the war. He met a young lady there, married, and started a family. At age thirty-three he came to faith in Christ and became a brand new man. A few years later he received an amazing and unmistakable call to preach. This is the story of how God could take a man with little education who in the beginning could scarcely read his own Bible and lead him to found a church that grew to approximately 1500. Doctors, businessmen, and community leaders would come each Sunday to hear what this humble man of God had to say. His life story will make you laugh and cry. You will not be unaffected by this book. The author is Pastor Edward Bates's daughter.

The Faith of the Town Fool is a heartwarming tale of a young man afflicted with cerebral palsy. He was dealt as difficult a hand in the game of life as can be imagined. His mother died in childbirth, he is severely afflicted both in mobility and speech. He is surrounded by peers who torment him, yet he has the love of his devoted father. Set in the years of the Great Depression and the Dust Bowl, when his father learns that he is terminally ill, seventeen year old Will goes to God in faith seeking a way to help his father. This book chronicles the miraculous journey of this young man to become an effective minister of God who changes the hearts of an entire community. Be prepared to reach for the tissues along the way and to shout "Hallelujah" at the ending.

This book is few in words, but long on impact. It traces the life of a very driven young man and chronicles his downward spiral morally speaking while climbing the ladder of success. He is introduced to a secret society, The Clandestine Order of Molech, by his mentor in business, and is forced to participate in the most heinous initiation rite imaginable. The reader should be moved to despise the main character even though part of the time he or she is yelling into the book at him to just open his eyes and go the other direction. It is a sad story, but one deserving of having a voice. This is definitely a page turner.

This is the story of a young lady's journey to find the father she never knew. The book begins with her at the front door of her mother's old college friend breaking the news that he has a daughter. He denies his paternity saying that is an impossibility. She then counters with a disturbing question, why would her mother lie to her as she lay dying? As the story progresses what appears to have been bad luck causes her to find herself penniless and friendless in a strange town. Allow yourself to be drawn into the center of the story by the screenplay style in which it is written and rejoice with her as new friends restore her joy. Have a box of tissues handy and a good sense of humor as well.

A teenage boy, an injured dog, an aging veterinarian with a broken heart, an ex-girlfriend with a new heart, and a man born on the wrong side of the tracks who succeeded in life with a big heart all come together under the teaching of a small town pastor in danger of losing his job for not compromising his values and getting with the times. This group has a date with destiny as they wait for the clock to tick away the final minutes until the Lord's return while facing the most unimaginable perils in the history of man. This disturbing tale of last days events as prophesied in the Bible will challenge the reader and perhaps inspire more godly values.

Among the many stories of the Bible the story of Ahab's lust for the vineyard owned by Naboth is one of the darkest. We are introduced to the concept of an evil couple caught up in a religious cult who play by a different set of rules. We also find that God sends his servant Elijah, a bit of an eccentric character in his own right, to effect justice upon the evil pair. This story is a loose adaptation of the Bible story brought to modern times and transported across an ocean to America. We still have greed, lust, and people who believe they are above the rules of society. It also introduces the reader to a stubborn little red head who holds tenaciously to her parents' teachings in their absence and desires justice for her father's murder. This work is written to inspire and entertain and hopefully hold the reader to the edge of his/her seat. A surprise ending is added to make the reading worthwhile. Written in a screenplay format the reader will be drawn into the center of the action as if sitting in the movie theater. Be sure to read Ahab and Jessie Bell.

Making The Axe Head Swim is a story of two intersecting lives. One is an inexperienced young pastor at a crossroads contemplating leaving his calling. The other used to be just a regular guy, a family man. After a series of heartrending tragic events, thoughts of bitterness and revenge drive him to unspeakable acts of horror in the pursuit of justice. Convicted of multiple murders, this regular guy now faces the day of his execution. The young pastor comes to visit him on his final day because of his aunt's plea to her pastor to not let him go to hell. During the hours leading to his scheduled death, the convict tells the pastor his compelling story. The pastor shares his problems with his new friend as well. Together one changes his whole life while the other changes all eternity. This is a very emotional story about a very violent crime and while written from a Christian perspective could be disturbing to young readers. It's target audience is more adult than most of the author's other works.

This book, although written in the author's usual Christian Inspirational genre, is a unique offering. It is an apocalyptic tale that centers on the story of a workaholic multimillionaire whose family is falling apart. It opens with a nuclear attack on America and follows Brian and the Worthington family through the prophesied time known as the Tribulation. The book is unique because at the end of each chapter the author offers insights into his thinking and the Bible references that guide this compelling story.

Senior citizen, Andy Carter, while looking out his front door window sees his neighbor come home in a drunken rage and assault his wife. The next morning Andy finds his neighbor's two children asleep in his barn. They are too frightened of their dad to go home. Andy promises them that he will check on their mommy and that he will make things better for them. Soon he finds in order to keep his promise he might have to pay with his life or his freedom. Andy is a man of faith and a man of his word with a dark past of his own and some pretty shady old friends that come in handy.

Sons of a Cursed Union is this author's thirtieth published work. It is the story of a young journalism student working independently on his first real story with a chance to be published. A young man is sent to a mountainous rural tourist destination that has experienced a large number of unexplained disappearances from the surrounding forests to investigate these strange incidents. He finds that most people appear fearful, but unwilling to talk. Then he is given a tip that leads him to interview a young man known locally as "Crazy Chris". Crazy Chris tells him a story so far out there that only a fool would believe it, but his gut instincts tell him that Crazy Chris may not be so Crazy after all. Join Pete Jamison as he ferrets out the truth and learns some hard lessons about life in the process. This story may not be suitable for those with weak stomachs, but there are some pretty exciting scenes and some very important lessons to be learned, told from a Christian perspective. Join in this search for truth and be prepared to be entertained and enlightened.

This novelette is short on pages, but long on impact. It is an intensely Christian story. It tells the story of a man now old, broken, and with regrets who on the outside was a good Christian man all his life. Yet, looking from the inside out he came to the conclusion that he had lived his life as a halfway Christian in contrast to his best friend who lived his life for Christ with no reservations. With his own mortality in mind, he receives a late life calling from the Lord at what he considers the midnight hour of his life. He attempts to right his wrongs and is brought across the pathways of two very needy youths. One is tortured by guilt for being more interested in a video game than his own brother's welfare which led to his brother's death. The other is a cast off child. His innocence was sold by his drug addict mother to any pedophile predator with enough money for her next fix. He is shunned by the other neighborhood children and driven to the brink of suicide by his short but infamous past. Can God use a man who has lived his life as a halfway Christian to heal the wounds of these needy children? Read it for yourself for the answer and delve into the sensitive subjects of doubting one's salvation and what is the balance between living a righteous life before God and still showing compassion to those struggling with sin and temptations.

This is a highly personal collection of poems and thoughts from author and poet Paul Johnston Sr. Poems are included meant to comfort the hearts of family members having lost a precious newborn baby, celebration of a young man's life taken from us at age 18, and just a lot of thoughts about the things of God and eternity. This is a collection of faith based poetry and encouragement through the roughest that life can throw at us.

25 Years to the Unthinkable is a harrowing fictional journey into a disturbing future for American Christians. At the time of the writing of this short novel, the football protests were costing the NFL many dollars in ticket sales and lost advertising revenues. The premise of the novel is a billionaire team owner blames right wing Christians for destroying his dreams of greatness and vows revenge, plunging America into a twenty-five year downward spiral of political corruption and propaganda aimed at Christians who stand on Biblical principles. This novel takes you into the lives of a dedicated group of twenty-first century Christians. They must band together for support and protection or face being eaten by lions in the old football stadiums. Considering current levels of hatred and animosity that exist towards Christians who try to follow Bible based beliefs, it leaves one wondering if things really could deteriorate this far in the next twenty-five years. If you like a book that takes you to the edge of your seat and beyond as you become invested in the lives of the characters, then this book is for you.

The smell of beans baking in her oven transports a lady back to her teen years and a very special family reunion in her small hometown in a valley among the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains. God placed a very special burden on her heart as a girl for her two wayward uncles. This inspirational Christian tale will carry you on a non-stop journey to a most unusual ending. Packed with authentic Appalachian dialect by an author who spoke it as his native tongue, these lovable characters will win your heart as their stories unfold. This is one that you'll want to read in one sitting without putting it down.

Billy had it all. He was president of his school class, the high school basketball star, had six cheerleaders fighting over him, and drove a shiny new Corvette to school everyday. Then one day it all came crashing down. People said his family was just a bunch of crooks and his money and car went away. Most of his so-called friends turned their backs on him. He even had his own brush with the law that landed him in community service at a gospel mission. Watch as Billy grows as a person and struggles with the deep issues of a personal faith in God. This story written in a modified screenplay format will draw you into the story and leave you feeling better when you put this book down than when you picked it up.

Martin and Mary is a sequel to The Other Martin Dempsey. The former faith based book told the story of Martin Dempsey, a crippled, deformed, and dwarfed teen who was isolated from all his classmates for more than eleven years because of the threats of the school bully. When a new boy arrives at school who will not be intimidated into observing the rule, "no one talks to the freak", Martin's school mates begin to see him as a human being. Martin searches for his purpose in life and reason for living and the story ends at the end of his senior year of high school as he is preparing to go away to college. This sequel begins at Martin's graduation from college and follows his life's journey and amazing accomplishments over the next 36 years.

Rory McSpade was born with a mutated gene that caused him to look different from other people. Even as a child he had hair growing on portions of his face that are normally bare. He also had hair growing on the backs of his hands. This tall skinny red headed Irish youth faced ridicule and bullying from other children who believed him to be cursed. They tormented him with their "doggy noises". When faced with the sorrows of the Irish Potato Famine of the 1840's and a need to provide a home for not only himself, but also for his two younger sisters, he risked his life to sail to America. America was the land of dreams and gave him his only hope of being able to provide for his family. Follow this young man's strange journey and see how God used what Rory considered a curse to work good in his life and the lives of others because of him. Cheer for this ultimate underdog as he finds his way in life in this fictional feel good story of faith and inspiration

Only a few residents remain in the fictional dying former coal mining town of Willow Branch Creek, Kentucky. Deacon Jedidiah Malone is one of those remaining residents. Deacon Jedidiah is a harsh man who insists on getting his way. This not so good deacon has a few skeletons of his own in his closet. This is a sometimes dark tale of evil in a small town where young preachers come to preach, but often disappear. Like every dark cloud, this book too has its silver lining. Come and spend some time in the hills of eastern Kentucky and at the end of your journey you too might experience the joy that one reader described. To paraphrase his sentiments, "By the end I felt like doing cartwheels, a couple of them. This was an insanely good book."

This book takes the reader on a fictional journey to listen in on the conversation between Jesus and his disciples on the road to Emmaus. This account gives a fictional first person account to the events that happened around the time of the death of Christ on Calvary. It looks at the prophecies that were given hundreds of years earlier that came true with uncanny accuracy.