On This Side of Heaven

On This Side of Heaven is the first in the series of Heavenly Novels(tm) and poignantly details the story of a community a small church and one man's secret desire for power wealth and women. Just five years before mandatory retirement Reverend Bob Buck finds himself serving in a washed up old country church- the result of a career that has been tarnished. Bitter about his new appointment Buck has decided not to let his career end this way and employs everything in his power including God to prove his worth and gain a position of power. Buck's true character gradually begins to reveal itself through greed and egotism - all the while insisting his actions are motivated by an effort to express God's love. Unfortunately the hiring of young associate pastor Ben Montague threatens to ruin Buck's well-laid plan. This sets in motion a chain of events that force Buck's past and present to collide as he learns a truth about the young associate pastor that rocks his world. A heartfelt story On This Side of Heaven forces the reader to remove his rose colored glasses and see the ugly side of organized religion. It shows the human side of church while embracing the reverence. By addressing the fine balance between godliness and self-righteousness On This Side of Heaven teaches the lesson that God is in the church but the church is not God.