There is no denying the Olympic Peninsula is full of talent. Many authors make their homes here and they draw inspiration and ideas from the scenery, people and spiritual life. Three authors, one from Sequim and two from Port Angeles, recently published books about Christian faith.
Charles Marunde, who is featured in the first of the series, uses biblical characters as examples of success, Kristi Dawn Hurley wrote a tear-inducing fiction piece about unconventional teen love and biographer Francis Kyle brings forth the heartfelt devotion of 19-century evangelist James Brainerd Taylor.
"Success and Eternity: God’s Perspective on Success" is by Charles Marunde, who finds the Bible full of success stories. "Success and Eternity," his first book, details biblical accounts of Jesus, his disciples and several parables about success.
"Our idea of being great and successful today doesn’t exist in biblical time," Marunde said.
He feels America is obsessed with wealth and fame and that his book focuses on relating success more to spiritual fulfillment with God.
"It’s a different way of thinking altogether," he said.
In preparation for the book, Marunde, an attorney and real estate broker from Sequim, read the Bible cover-to-cover looking for God’s perspective on success. He said that he strived to separate his own bias from the research. His biggest challenge was staying as close to God’s words as possible.
"If I did a book on real estate, then it would be factual. But a book on theology, how can I be sure and true to the Bible? That was my biggest anguish."
Marunde said the book would interest Christians looking to leave a legacy of servitude after their lives.
In these tough economic times, he feels people need to reevaluate success more than ever.
"A lot of rich people have died who we don’t talk about anymore. We know wealth alone doesn’t bring happiness," he said.
"Some of the happiest retired people served others their whole lives."
Marunde makes it clear in "Success" that money is neutral; it is just an object. He said it is a matter of what a person does with it that makes a difference.
"If you look at our lives, fame, beauty, wealth and power, they are constantly around us as a society since it is based on material success," he said.
"I’m hoping people will say, ‘Is there success from an eternal perspective? Does my success now have eternal value?’ after reading."
"Jesus and the parables tell huge stories of success and what life is all about."
"Success and Eternity" is available at major online retailers or at www.sakalpublishing.com.
