The Faith Chronicles Series

ADVERSITY – KEEPING THE FAITH BOOK 2 FAITH CHRONICLES TEXAS HISTORY   In the sacred verses of Galatians 2:20, the words resonate: "I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the FAITH of the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me." Such profound sentiments stir the depths of the soul, igniting a journey in Texas history that spans generations and continents, a trip like that of the Struss Family descendants. Amidst the rugged landscape of Texas, between 1836 and 1846, a wave of immigrants from Germany swept across the land, forever shaping the state's destiny. Among these pioneers were the Struss Family descendants, individuals who carried dreams and determination and whose impact reverberated through politics, economics, and the very fabric of Texan society. A period of profound change was set in motion, leaving an indelible mark by the mid-1850s. Though the tale you're about to embark on is woven with threads of historical fiction, its foundation rests on the bedrock of truth. One could argue that it ventures into creative nonfiction, for it springs from the essence of real lives, struggles, and triumphs. Through the lens of this narrative, you'll witness the journey of an ordinary German family confronted with the agonizing decision to sever the ties that bound them to the River Hunte near Rastede and Oldenburg, Germany. Their voyage is one fraught with trials and tribulations. Unfavorable winds challenge their resolve as they brave the tempestuous North Sea. Storms rage, claiming lives aboard the vessel that carries their hopes. Yellow fever and other insidious illnesses threaten their existence, while the specter of Indian attacks cast shadows of fear and uncertainty. How curious that our relationship with history evolves as we transition from childhood to adulthood. Once endured with impatience, the classroom's stale chronicles become the source of fascination and enlightenment in later years. The tapestry of history reveals its intricate threads of human lives, passions, trials, and triumphs. It unfolds as a panorama of joys and sorrows, victories and failures, as complex and compelling as the human experience itself. And so, the pages of this novel unfold to reveal a saga of people—real people—etched with flesh and bone, colored with emotions, strengths, weaknesses, and above all, an unshakeable faith in Jesus Christ. For history is not mere dates, names, and places; it's the pulsating heartbeat of humanity, a journey marked by power, its exercise, and its void. Here, in the realm of creative fiction and creative nonfiction, we find a genre that breathes new life into the study of history. Sidney St. James, a dedicated professional genealogist, invites you on a voyage through time, bridging over thirty years of family research and numerous history books. With skillful prose, he delves into the lives of real people, capturing their essence, challenges, and unwavering faith. This is a journey into the heart of ADVERSITY – Keeping the Faith, where Texas history and humanity intertwine, illuminating the past with a vibrant, resonant light.

"But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him." Hebrews 11:6 KJV GENESIS  …imagine stepping onto the shoreline and finding out it's Heaven Have you ever read your Bible and stop, go back to the beginning and reread it? Do you ever find that there is no wow? No impact. No overwhelming thought that strikes you because it is so hard to understand. You're not alone. Memories growing up with my grandmother, the Reverend Ada Caston Slaton Bonds, shed complete light on the many Books of the Bible. She was a great storyteller, just like Jesus, when he spread the word of God in parables. Be it Easter, Mother's Day, Memorial Day, Thanksgiving or Christmas, she always had a story to tell and practiced her Sunday morning sermons preaching her discourse to my brothers and me just outside Mansfield, Louisiana. No longer do you or your children have to read the Bible until something "hits" you. My first novel in the Sunday School Series portrays a fresh approach to the scriptures…a down to earth storytelling of the words of God beginning with, well, the beginning. The writings in the Book of Genesis have sometimes been referred to as the seed plot of the entire Bible. As complicated as it could be in scripture form, most of the major doctrines of the Bible are introduced to all of us in this so-called seed form in this book. Along with the fall of mankind, God's promise of salvation and redemption are put in plain words in this first novel in the Sunday School Series of the Holy Book. The doctrines of creation, the accusation of sin, justification, grace, faith, and much more are all addressed in this Book of origins. Almost all my life, Genesis was best explained to me in the form of a 1956 movie, Cecil B. DeMille's, The Ten Commandments. There's a saying today, don't always believe what you read on the Internet or what you see on the silver screen. Hollywood told the story of Genesis, but as they always do, with a flair for capturing the attention of moviegoers. It was the highest-grossing film of the 1950s and the seventh highest-grossing film of all time. By the way, it has been one of my most favorite movies of all time, as well. This first novel in the series captures the first Book of the Bible, Genesis, and tells the story of the beginning in straightforward and easy to understand stories. Where did we come from? Why are we here? Where are we going? GENESIS, no doubt, appeals to the theologian, the historian, the scientist, the housewife, the farmer, and the man or woman of God himself. All in all, it is a fitting beginning for God's story of his plan for mankind and an appropriate opening for the first book in this Sunday School Education Series by Sidney St. James. Appropriate for children twelve years of age and older.

Then came Peter to him, and said, Lord, how oft shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? Till seven times?  Jesus saith unto him, I say not unto thee, Until seven times: but, Until seventy times seven. (KJV Matthew 18: 21-22) Reverend Loyce Estes with the Cumberland Presbyterian Church at the funeral services on December 23, 1969, addressed the congregation. "The dignified First Lady of the Louisiana Presbytery is dead. Vibrantly alive are the articles of faith that constitute our legacy. May her mantle fall on us prayerfully." Reverend Mrs. Ada Caston Slaton Bonds is one of the most colorful ministers ever produced by the great Cumberland Presbyterian Church. Beyond a doubt, she overcame more difficulties and passed through more heartaches than any minister ever known to preach the 'Whosoever Will' gospel. Miss Ada, as all affectionately called her, possessed countless prodigies. By way of the corridors of her ministerial career, she helped shape the lives and mold the character of a great number of young ministers, who, today, rise up and call her 'blessed.' God sent her His Divine calling to preach. She then learned to preach. She carved out a place for herself among the clergy that was unique, without comparison. With bottomless emotion, genuine poise, and true dignity, Miss Ada became the First Lady of the Cloth in the Louisiana Presbytery and had the highest honor bestowed upon her, the title of Mother of All Presbyteries. Brother Kerans finished the Sunday morning services by calling on Reverend Paul Covey Johnson, standing by her frail and physical body awaiting its final resting place in the Old Bethany Cumberland Presbyterian Church cemetery outside Coushatta, Louisiana. He began her final epitaph. "I'm walking along the seashore. A ship is floating near to me, spreading her white sails as it begins a voyage that takes Miss Ada further and further out into the ocean. She's a powerful vessel, one of beauty and strength. I watch her until she looks like a disappearing speck of a fluffy cloud where the horizon of the sea and sky intermingle with one another. Then I realized her diminished size is in me, not in her. 'Look there...She is gone!' Nelson, along with Ada's brother Lilburn are standing together with eager eyes watching from one of the twelve gates to heaven. There are beautiful angels stationed at each of the entrances. Looking more closely, she sees her mother and father standing near Lilburn. There are smiles on all of their faces and a happy and content look to their demeanor, standing and waiting there to take up the welcomed shout: 'HERE SHE COMES!' Many times throughout the writing of her memoirs, I came to respect her inner strength, her compassion, and her gentleness. Never in my life have I delved into the scriptures and analyzed what each meant more so than when I put her memoirs on paper. To bring these memoirs to a close, I attended the homecoming services at the Progress Cumberland Presbyterian Church in Pleasant Hill, Louisiana as they celebrated their 100th Anniversary. Miss Ada is still spoken of highly. Her last letter written to the church on December 10, 1969, still hangs on the walls of the sanctuary. Brother Lawson led the congregation in the singing of many gospel tunes and delivered the Sunday morning message. I close this description with a quote from Brother Lawson. "Miss Ada set the standards high for being a minister in the Cumberland Presbyterian Church. She was an anomaly for her time. Still today, we find the bar for preaching the word of God set high for all young men and women entering the ministry!" If one listened closely, they would have heard the words echo from my namesake, Sidney Slaton, "Mamma Was a Preacher!"

HALLELUJAH – HE IS NOT HERE; HE HAS RISEN.  BOOK 5 in the FAITH CHRONICLES SERIES THE NEW TESTAMENT "And they found the stone rolled away from the sepulcher. They entered in and found not the body of the Lord Jesus. It came to pass, as they were much perplexed thereabout, behold, two men stood by them in shining garments. As they were afraid and bowed down their faces to the earth, they said unto them, Why do you seek the living among the dead?"– Luke 24: 2-5 (KJV) Jesus Christ is the most well-known name in the world! He is the only man to have walked the earth, and his story told to in hundreds upon hundreds of different ways over the last two thousand years. No matter who you talk to, everyone has heard about him and his many miracles and his deeds. Since little was written about Jesus in his first thirty years, this novel will begin when he was first baptized by John the Baptist, a cousin of Jesus. If we take a close look at the Gospels, a comprehensive picture emerges of Jesus Christ. In these writings, there's no gentle Jesus meek and mild, but more so a  person so dynamic and so inspiring that even hardcore fisherman, Roman soldiers, strict tax collectors, and a man with one of the foremost intellects of his day, the apostle Paul, were all standing in line to put their reputations out on the line in order to follow Christ. Our exciting story begins on Jesus' thirtieth birthday. We do know, however, that before this, Jesus was born in Bethlehem. His mother Mary is believed to have had Jesus through immaculate conception. The life story told in this novel begins, primarily, with the baptism of Jesus by John the Baptist. It was at this time John announced that Jesus was, in fact, the Son of God. Secondly, Jesus finds his first three followers, better known as his disciples. There were finally twelve disciples who accompanied Jesus until the end of his life on the earth. The ministry of Jesus is characterized by many extraordinary and miraculous actions. At his Sermon on the Mount, he delivered the Beatitudes, which were spiritual teachings of compassion, humility, and love. He fed the hungry. He healed the sick. The more miracles he performed, the more people followed him and listened to his teachings attentively. The life of the Lord is paramount to all Christians in every walk of life. Every Christian should know about the life of Jesus Christ and the ministry of his spiritual leadership.

God's Word is a fiery, exploding, all-pervading, and living message that should cause us all to fall down to the ground and tremble… yet that is rarely the experience for so many dispirited people of God! Some people believe questioning the Bible, the direction God is going, or even God himself, is blasphemy. Some think it's a sign of disbelief. Daniel Thornton believes his son, Rusty Thornton, is lost without God and takes him to a faraway place in the early 1950s near Spicewood, Texas where he would never come in contact with people. He has an old King James Version of the Bible and begins to try and cure his son's affliction of skepticism. Rusty Thornton remembered nothing before his eighteenth birthday. The first book he read after learning to read and write was on Hinduism. His father didn't know how such a book ended up in his library. He took it and hid it from his son but not until he had read it from cover to cover. Was it too late for his son? Did what he learned about Vishnu and Krishna absorb his entire thought process where he never recognized Jesus Christ as the one and only son of God? Who's right, Daniel Thornton or his son? Rusty questioned his ability to communicate with animals. Was it a God-given talent? Why can't he remember anything in his life before his eighteenth birthday? Who is his cousin, Carolyn Thornton who comes strangely into his life on his twenty-first birthday? Who is the stranger, Billy Joe Briscoe who is hired to become Rusty's companion and teach him about Jesus Christ and the Bible? "Is it wrong for Christians to Question God?" One should not ask a question of the Lord because they think they know better than Him. One should never question God's authority, a big No, No! We should never ask questions of God to try and stall our obedience to the Lord. If we are questioning the scriptures in the Bible because we desperately want to know the answer we are searching for, then that should be okay. In the mind and thoughts of Rusty Thornton, it is perfectly fine to do so! Snippets from Seeing the Power of God: "My father taught me that God is merciful and caring for all human beings. Yet what I read in the Bible here," he turns a few more pages, "can hardly be so if this is true." He stopped turning the pages at the Book of Joshua and began reading aloud, "Jericho is shut up. God instructed Joshua how to besiege it!" He paused a moment, torn by conflicting emotions. "Does that make any sense to you, Billy Joe? It causes me to have grave concern over God's plans. If he is for sure the Creator of all things, how could he possibly instruct one of his own human beings, his own creation, to besiege a city that's filled with others of his creation and kill men, women, children, and animals… all his creations?" *** "Let me ask it this way of you, Billy Joe. If God has the power to take out Satan and love us, why doesn't he do it? Why did the Lord have to come down and die on the cross to save us from the grasp of Satan who was a creation and subject of God in the first place? Why does Satan still exist if he has disobeyed God more than anyone else?" *** Rusty Thornton wanted to know what someone who died saw in the afterlife. "Many say," Billy Joe jumps in and mixes up the conversation, "that when you die, you will meet a skeleton holding a scythe. Some say you go to Heaven. Some say you go to Hell. Others say you are reincarnated or that you turn into a ghost. Some even say that you sleep for all eternity. The problem with death, my dear friend, is that we will never know until after we die."

Books 4 and 5 Compiled into Book 7 of the Faith Chronicles   GENESIS  …imagine stepping onto the shoreline and finding out it's Heaven   Have you ever read your Bible and stop, go back to the beginning and reread it? Do you ever find that there is no wow? No impact. No overwhelming thought that strikes you because it is so hard to understand. You're not alone. Memories growing up with my grandmother, the Reverend Ada Caston Slaton Bonds, shed complete light on the many Books of the Bible. She was a great storyteller, just like Jesus, when he spread the word of God in parables. Be it Easter, Mother's Day, Memorial Day, Thanksgiving, or Christmas, she always had a story to tell and practiced her Sunday morning sermons preaching her discourse to my brothers and me just outside Mansfield, Louisiana. No longer do you or your children have to read the Bible until something "hits" you. My first novel in the Sunday School Series portrays a fresh approach to the scriptures…a down to earth storytelling of the words of God beginning with, well, the beginning. The writings in the Book of Genesis have sometimes been referred to as the seed plot of the entire Bible. As complicated as it could be in scripture form, most of the major doctrines of the Bible are introduced to all of us in this so-called seed form in this book. Along with the fall of mankind, God's promise of salvation and redemption are put in plain words in this first novel in the Sunday School Series of the Holy Book. The doctrines of creation, the accusation of sin, justification, grace, faith, and much more are all addressed in this Book of origins.   HALLELUJAH – He is Not Here; He Has Risen.   Jesus Christ is the most well-known name in the world! He is the only man to have walked the earth, and his story told to in hundreds upon hundreds of different ways over the last two thousand years. No matter who you talk to, everyone has heard about him and his many miracles and his deeds. Since little was written about Jesus in his first thirty years, this novel will begin when he was first baptized by John the Baptist, a cousin of Jesus. If we take a close look at the Gospels, a comprehensive picture emerges of Jesus Christ. In these writings, there's no gentle Jesus meek and mild, but more so a  person so dynamic and so inspiring that even hardcore fisherman, Roman soldiers, strict tax collectors, and a man with one of the foremost intellects of his day, the apostle Paul, were all standing in line to put their reputations out on the line in order to follow Christ. Our exciting story begins on Jesus' thirtieth birthday. We do know, however, that before this, Jesus was born in Bethlehem. His mother Mary is believed to have had Jesus through immaculate conception. The life story told in this novel begins, primarily, with the baptism of Jesus by John the Baptist. It was at this time John announced that Jesus was, in fact, the Son of God. Secondly, Jesus finds his first three followers, better known as his disciples. There were finally twelve disciples who accompanied Jesus until the end of his life on the earth. The ministry of Jesus is characterized by many extraordinary and miraculous actions. At his Sermon on the Mount, he delivered the Beatitudes, which were spiritual teachings of compassion, humility, and love. He fed the hungry. He healed the sick. The more miracles he performed, the more people followed him and listened to his teachings attentively. The life of the Lord is paramount to all Christians in every walk of life. Every Christian should know about the life of Jesus Christ and the ministry of his spiritual leadership.

In the stirring and profound narrative "Golgatha - The Land of the Skull," the hallowed sands of time shift, bringing forth the revered figure of Jesus to the contemporary landscape of Georgetown, Texas. This extraordinary tale weaves a poignant journey across a nation pulsating with the vibrancy and turmoil of modern life, as Jesus traverses the heartlands of America, from the historic vistas of El Paso to the bustling streets of Houston and the cultural tapestry of San Antonio. Within these pages lies not merely a journey across geography but a profound odyssey into the human condition, as Jesus encounters the very essence of human strife and triumph in the face of today's front-page news. Amid the cacophony of modern chaos, he extends a hand of salvation, performing miracles that touch the lives of the sick, the blind, and the homeless, instilling light where shadows loom large. "Golgatha - The Land of the Skull" is a beacon of hope and redemption, a testament to the enduring power of compassion and faith in an era thirsting for spiritual guidance. Readers will be captivated by the transformative journey of Jesus, whose path through contemporary America illuminates the potential for grace and miracles in everyday life. Dive into this mesmerizing tale that bridges millennia, connecting the wisdom of the past with the poignant reality of the present. Embark on a journey that promises not just to entertain but to inspire, offering a renewed vision of what it means to seek and to believe. Let "Golgatha - The Land of the Skull" be your guide to a world where the miraculous becomes possible, urging every heart to rediscover the essence of faith, hope, and love.

At only eight years of age, the future Reverend Ada Slaton Bonds experienced her first lesson in responsibility and the power of devotion… and whatever you ask in prayer, you will receive, if you have FAITH (Matthew 21:22.) Book 1 – The ROSE of Brays Bayou – The Runaway Scrape 1836 (God Bless Texas Women) "I would like to make a very special toast for our Second Anniversary ball. The men of Texas deserved much of the credit, but more was due to the many women across Texas. Armed men facing a foe couldn't but be brave. But, my friends, the women, with their little children around them, without means of defense or power to resist, faced danger and death with unflinching courage. God Bless the Women of Texas!" --- General Thomas Jefferson Rusk For this novel to be considered Creative Nonfiction, it was written to be factually accurate. My primary goal in writing in this genre is to communicate the truthful information, just like a seasoned journalist, but to shape it in such a way that it reads like fiction. REMEMBER THE ALAMO! REMEMBER GOLIAD! COME AND TAKE IT! Dilue Rose Harris told her story for the Eagle Lake Headlight in 1900. A copy of the manuscript was given to the author of this novel in an edited form, and her story is now brought forth and told through the perspective of the creative nonfiction genre. Book 2 – ADVERSITY – Keeping the Faith (German Family Immigrates to Texas in 1845) Galatians 2:20 - I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the FAITH of the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. This novel, although historical fiction, was based on a true story. In a sense, one might lean as far as to call it creative nonfiction. It follows the Strauss German family through the painful decision-making process to leave Germany and pull up roots from generations of farming on the River Hunte near Rastede and Oldenburg, Germany. They fought delays from unfavorable winds traveling through the North Sea, storms that took many lives onboard their vessel, the Johann Dethardt, contracting yellow fever and other terrible sicknesses, and Indian attacks. Book 3 – FAITH – Seventy Times Seven (First Ordained Woman of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church) Then came Peter to him, and said, Lord, how oft shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? Till seven times?   Jesus saith unto him, I say not unto thee, Until seven times: but, Until seventy times seven. (KJV Matthew 18: 21-22)   Reverend Mrs. Ada Caston Slaton Bonds is one of the most colorful ministers ever produced by the great Cumberland Presbyterian Church. Beyond a doubt, she overcame more difficulties and passed through more heartaches than any minister ever known to preach the 'Whosoever Will' gospel. Miss Ada, as all affectionately called her, possessed countless prodigies. By way of the corridors of her ministerial career, she helped shape the lives and mold the character of a great number of young ministers, who, today, rise up and call her 'blessed.' God sent her His Divine calling to preach. She then learned to preach. She carved out a place for herself among the clergy that was unique, without comparison. With bottomless emotion, genuine poise, and true dignity, Miss Ada Caston Slaton Bonds became the First Lady of the Cloth in the Louisiana Presbytery and had the highest honor bestowed upon her, the title of Mother of All Presbyteries.

BOOK 4: GENESIS… imagine stepping onto the shoreline and finding out it's Heaven Have you ever read your Bible and stop, go back to the beginning and reread it? Do you ever find that there is no WOW? No impact. No overwhelming thought that strikes you because it is so hard to understand at times. You're not alone. Memories growing up with my grandmother, the Reverend Ada Caston Slaton Bonds, shed complete light on the many Books of the Bible. She was a great storyteller, just like Jesus, when he spread the word of God in parables. Be it Easter, Mother's Day, Memorial Day, Thanksgiving, or Christmas, she always had a story to tell and practiced her Sunday morning sermons preaching her discourse to my brothers and me just outside Mansfield, Louisiana. No longer do you or your children have to read the Bible until something "hits" you. The fourth novel in the Faith Chronicles' Bible Study series portrays a fresh approach to the scriptures…a down to earth storytelling of the words of God beginning with, well, the beginning. BOOK 5: HALLELUJAH… HE IS NOT HERE; HE HAS RISEN "And they found the stone rolled away from the sepulcher. They entered in and found not the body of the Lord Jesus. It came to pass, as they were much perplexed thereabout, behold, two men stood by them in shining garments. As they were afraid and bowed down their faces to the earth, they said unto them, 'Why do you seek the living among the dead?'"– Luke 24: 2-5 (KJV) Jesus Christ is the most well-known name in the world! He is the only man to have walked the earth, and his story told to in hundreds upon hundreds of different ways over the last two thousand years. No matter who you talk to, everyone has heard about him and his many miracles and his deeds. Since little was written about Jesus in his first thirty years, this novel will begin when he was first baptized by John the Baptist, a cousin of Jesus. Our exciting story begins on Jesus' thirtieth birthday. BOOK 6: SEEING THE POWER OF GOD – The Dominance of the Unspoken Word God's Word is a fiery, exploding, all-pervading, and living message that should cause us all to fall down to the ground and tremble… yet that is rarely the experience for so many dispirited people of God! After writing Genesis and Hallelujah, I became one of those people who asked, "Can anyone be a Christian and not believe in the Bible? Is it wrong to question any of the scriptures in the Bible? Some people believe questioning the Bible, the direction God is going, or even God himself, is blasphemy. Some think it's a sign of disbelief. Daniel Thornton is one such man. He believes his son, Rusty Thornton, is lost without God and takes him to a faraway place in the early 1950s near Spicewood, Texas, where he would never come in contact with people. He has an old King James Version of the Bible and began to try and cure his son's affliction of skepticism. Rusty Thornton remembers nothing before his eighteenth birthday. The first book he read after learning to read and write was on Hinduism. His father didn't know how such a book ended up in his library. He took it and hid it from his son, but not until he had read it from cover to cover. Was it too late for his son? Did what he learned about Vishnu and Krishna absorb his entire thought process where he never recognized Jesus Christ as the one and only son of God? Who's right, Daniel Thornton or his son?