Blog Archives
From the Back of a Donkey, Journey of a Lifetime – Second Edition
Nancy Elaine Hartman Minor’s From the Back of a Donkey: Journey of a Lifetime reimagines one of the most familiar stories in the Christian tradition, the birth of Jesus, through the eyes of Mary. The book blends biblical retelling, creative storytelling, and devotional reflection into a narrative that feels both ancient and deeply personal. Each chapter combines Mary’s imagined thoughts and prayers with scriptural passages and reflection questions for the reader, making it part story, part meditation, and part journal. The style is warm, vivid, and grounded in faith, giving life to moments that the Gospel of Luke only hints at.
Reading this book, I found myself unexpectedly moved. Minor doesn’t just recount events; she breathes humanity into them. Her Mary isn’t distant or saintly in the untouchable sense; she’s tender, curious, even a little scared, and wholly devoted to God. The writing feels like sitting down with someone who loves to tell stories by firelight, earnest and filled with wonder. There’s something beautiful in the author’s refusal to make Mary flawless. Instead, she lets her faith shimmer through her doubts and daily tasks, through her conversations with Joseph and her cousin Elizabeth. I loved that. It made the sacred story feel reachable, even intimate.
Stylistically, the book reads with a kind of musical rhythm, almost like a prayer. At times, I caught myself pausing just to let a sentence sink in. The writing is rich with sensory detail like the smell of baked bread, the roughness of wood, the brightness of stars, and yet it never drifts into heavy language. The author’s tone feels humble and heartfelt. Occasionally, the abundance of biblical references slows the pace, but it never feels forced; rather, it roots the story in the faith that inspires it. I could tell this book was written not only with literary care but also with devotion.
From the Back of a Donkey draws the reader into reflection, not just about Mary’s journey, but about their own. I would recommend this book to anyone looking to experience the Christmas story in a fresh, contemplative way. It’s perfect for believers who enjoy devotional reading, book clubs that center on faith, or anyone who wants to feel a deeper connection to the humanity behind the divine story.
Pages: 99 | ASIN : B0CP8WMQS4
Inner Peace
Healing by His Spirit is a raw, deeply personal journey through pain, endurance, and redemption, as well as an emotional story of faith, trust, and the miracles God performed in your life. Why was this an important book for you to write?
Healing by His Spirit was important to write because it not only released the burden of shame and guilt I carried, but it also allowed me to inspire others to try and overcome their hardships through spiritual healing.
What were some ideas that were important for you to share in this book?
My travels across the globe helped me to find the inner peace I so desperately sought. It helped me to focus on who I truly am.
I appreciated the candid nature with which you told your story. What was the hardest thing for you to write about?
The hardest part for me to write about was the rape scene. Because a child was conceived from it, I had to try and make the best decision about her future, and I decided it had to be me. It took two weeks to write one paragraph, because of the flashbacks I experienced.
What do you hope is one thing readers take away from your story?
The one thing I hope readers will take away is God’s healing power. It saved my life.
Author Links: GoodReads | Amazon
Spiritually Homeless: Finding our way beyond religion
Spiritually Homeless is Kris Girrell’s heartfelt guide for anyone who’s ever felt unmoored from organized religion yet still deeply drawn to the sacred. Girrell explores what it means to be “spiritual but not religious,” weaving his own journey through reflection, loss, and rediscovery. The book moves from intimate personal stories to broader discussions about mysticism, spiritual development, and the hunger for community. It’s both a memoir and a map, a compassionate invitation to those wandering between faith and freedom to find meaning in their own way.
Girrell’s voice is calm, wise, and refreshingly unpretentious. He doesn’t preach, and that’s what makes his message land so well. I could feel his years of wrestling with religion, that ache of trying to make sense of old beliefs that no longer fit. There’s warmth in the way he writes about people who feel left out of traditional faith, as if he’s offering them a seat by the fire. The stories about his hikes, his tears in cathedrals, his moments of awe, they ring true. The writing is honest, the tone gentle, and the ideas, though deep, are never heavy-handed.
I felt the pacing lingered a bit, especially when the author unpacked historical or theological context. But I didn’t mind much. Those parts gave me room to catch my breath and think about my own path. What I loved most was how Girrell connects everyday moments, like walking through grass or looking at the stars, to something holy. He makes spirituality feel approachable, like it’s always been right there, waiting for us to notice. His belief that being “spiritually homeless” is actually a stage of growth struck me hard. It turned what I’d always seen as loss into possibility.
I’d recommend Spiritually Homeless to anyone feeling adrift after leaving religion, or to anyone curious about what spirituality looks like beyond dogma. It’s a great companion for those who want to rebuild their connection to the divine without returning to church walls. This isn’t a manual, it’s a conversation, and a kind one at that.
Pages: 235 | ASIN : B0FR3T9KBF
Healing by HIs Spirit
Healing by His Spirit is a raw, deeply personal journey through pain, endurance, and redemption. Author Geraldine D. Bryant lays bare her life story with fearless honesty, tracing her path from a young, innocent girl in Philadelphia to a woman who finds healing through faith after unspeakable trauma. The book begins with her tender teenage experiences, first love, heartbreak, and youthful dreams, and then plunges into harrowing territory as she recounts the violence, betrayal, and shame that shaped her womanhood. Yet, throughout the darkness, her story never loses its pulse of hope. The power of her faith, her determination to survive, and her eventual embrace of God’s grace shine through every page, transforming the memoir into a testament of spiritual renewal.
Reading Bryant’s writing stirred a complex mix of emotions in me. Her storytelling is vivid and unflinching. She writes like she’s sitting across from you, speaking straight from the soul, unpolished but powerful. I found myself holding my breath during the most painful parts, not just because of the events themselves, but because of how clearly she remembered every sound, every look, every feeling. The emotional weight is heavy, but she never sinks into self-pity. Instead, she finds meaning in her suffering. The faith that threads through her pain feels lived, not preached. What stood out most to me was her courage in revisiting wounds that would be easier to bury. That bravery makes her voice resonate even more.
Stylistically, the book feels intimate, like reading a journal that was never meant for public eyes. The language is simple and direct, without pretension. There are moments where the pacing slows, where details linger longer than expected, but even those moments feel intentional. I found myself reflecting on how trauma can break a person open in ways that also let light in. Bryant doesn’t shy away from showing both her brokenness and her faith in the same breath. That combination of vulnerability and resilience is what gives the book its power.
Healing by His Spirit left me both heartbroken and inspired. Bryant’s life story reminds me that healing isn’t about forgetting, it’s about reclaiming your story from the hands of pain. I’d recommend this book to anyone who has faced hardship and is searching for a way to turn it into strength. It’s especially meaningful for women of faith, survivors of trauma, or anyone walking through the long, winding road toward peace.
Pages: 164 | ASIN : ASIN : B083LMTPJH\
The REAL 12 Days of Christmas
The REAL 12 Days of Christmas takes the familiar carol and spins it into a whimsical love story. Travis Trulove, a young man with more persistence than sense, tries to win over Taylor by giving her increasingly outrageous gifts over twelve days. Birds, cows, maids, dancers, lords, pipers, even a dog band with drummers, all tumble into her life in a kind of joyful chaos. What starts as a quirky attempt at romance blossoms into a fairy-tale ending where love, music, and laughter rule the season.
I found myself smiling through most of it. The writing has a playful rhythm, almost like someone telling you a story out loud, a little tongue-in-cheek and never taking itself too seriously. I liked that. It reminded me of being a kid, when stories didn’t need logic to make sense, just a sense of fun. The humor is lighthearted, and I could feel the author’s love for exaggeration in every chapter. The French hens with lipstick and wine glasses might be my favorite detail.
Once I gave in to the idea that this was a story more about spectacle than sentiment, I enjoyed the ride even more. It’s a book for anyone who wants to laugh at the absurdity of grand gestures in love. One of the things that stands out in this picture book is the artwork; it feels alive and playful. The colors are bright and full of warmth. Each scene feels like a painting you could hang on a wall.
I’d recommend The Real 12 Days of Christmas to families looking for a festive story to read together, as well as to adults who want a little humor mixed into their holiday traditions. It’s playful, colorful, and best enjoyed with the same “childish enthusiasm” the author says life should have. If you go in expecting lighthearted fun and a good laugh, you’ll find yourself charmed.
Pages: 32 | ASIN : B0FLT64PMG
What It Really Means To Give
Tithing and Giving: A Biblical Study guides readers through an in-depth exploration of biblical tithing, contrasting Old Testament mandates with New Testament freedoms, structured around the idea that the commonly accepted modern practices of tithing, especially monetary, are misunderstood and not supported by Scripture. What inspired you to write this important book?
That is a good question. In truth I had no intention on writing a book about tithing and especially had no plans to teach on giving. This all began with the idea to take some study material I had already done on biblical tithing and do a short study on it for my family.
The title was literally A short Study on Tithing. However, when I began to type things out I felt that the Holy Spirit was leading me to write a book. It was some what terrifying for me as I did not feel qualified and was not looking forward to the heavy pushback that I would get. Since this was not the first time I have had this experience with the Holy Spirit as far as being inspired to teach as he instructed me, which is what happened with The Beauty of Tribulation, I decided not to fight. Once I gave in it felt more like he was using my fingers to convey the message he desired and I was just along for the ride. It did not even feel like time was passing at a significant rate as my fingers danced across the keyboard. Then the next scary thing happened, he had me teach on giving. I was not prepared to do such a thing and did not really want to do so, who in the world am I to teach anyone on financial stewardship? Again, I yielded and the rest is officially history. I am learning more and more that it is not about being comfortable, competent or prepared when God desires you to obey.
What is the most common misconception you feel people have about tithing in today’s world?
This is not an easy question since I feel the misconceptions are all equally concerning. One that God taught me through writing this book is that Christians should not expect God to give them a reward just because they have done as he has commanded. God owes us nothing but is greatly moved by obedience. Even so you will not get like for like as a precedent set in stone regardless of how much you give or do. The reason that this one is so damaging is that it is used greatly in so-called messages about prosperity.
What were some ideas that were important for you to share in this book?
As I was writing these are some of the important ideas that God brought to my attention in this teaching.
· What Paul taught about when not to give.
· What it really means to give hilariously or cheerfully.
· What sacrificial giving actually is?
· That the act of giving is the blessing not what you get because you gave.
What is one thing that you hope readers take away from Tithing and Giving?
One thing I pray that readers take away from Tithing and Giving is the freedom to give to God from their heart not out of obligation, fear, tradition or because they feel that they must so that they can truly experience his blessedness as well as the understanding that giving to God is also looking out first for those who are members of his body and then those who are without.
Author Links: GoodReads | X | Facebook | Website
What does the Bible really say about tithing, giving, and Christian stewardship?
Is tithing a command for today—or a misunderstood tradition?
Tithing and Giving: A Biblical Study is a comprehensive guide for believers who want to understand God’s plan for finances, generosity, and blessing. With clarity and compassion, author J.A. Cox explores what Scripture actually teaches about biblical tithing, New Testament giving, and the difference between religious obligation and Spirit-led generosity.
✅ Inside this Bible-based study, you’ll discover:
What the Bible says about tithing in the Old and New Testaments
The difference between biblical stewardship and church tradition
How to discern truth from myths in Christian financial teaching
Whether Christians are still required to tithe today
What it means to give with faith, freedom, and love
The true connection between giving and God’s blessing
This book is written for thoughtful believers who want to grow in faith while also handling money in a way that pleases God. If you’ve ever asked, “Is tithing biblical?” or “Should Christians tithe today?” — this study is for you.
By the end of your journey, you’ll gain a deeper understanding of scriptural giving, a renewed appreciation for Christian generosity, and practical guidance on how to walk in biblical financial stewardship—free from guilt and full of grace.
Tithing and Giving A Biblical Study
In Tithing and Giving, J.A. Cox walks readers through an in-depth exploration of biblical tithing, contrasting Old Testament mandates with New Testament freedoms. The book is structured around the idea that the commonly accepted modern practices of tithing, especially monetary tithing, are deeply misunderstood and not supported by Scripture under the new covenant. Cox builds his argument with a step-by-step examination of Hebrew terms, priestly duties, Old Testament law, the sacrificial system, and its fulfillment in Jesus Christ. He stresses that obligatory tithing, once rooted in supporting the Levitical priesthood, has no place in the life of a Christian after the death and resurrection of Christ, who he argues has fulfilled and replaced the entire priestly system.
I admired Cox’s commitment to sticking with Scripture, often going to great lengths to explain each passage and how it fits within the larger biblical story. At times, the repetition felt heavy, but it also showed just how passionate he is about getting this point across. I didn’t always agree with every conclusion, but I couldn’t deny the depth of thought behind it. Cox’s argument that many churches today push tithing based on verses taken out of context was uncomfortable but also thought-provoking.
I did find the writing style to be pretty raw at points. There were parts where I wished for smoother transitions. But then again, that direct and sometimes urgent tone also gave it character. It read less like a theology textbook and more like a heartfelt letter to fellow believers who might be misled. The emotional weight behind his convictions was clear. You can feel his frustration over what he sees as false teaching, and also his deep care for the truth of Scripture. That kind of honesty gave the book power, even when the prose didn’t always flow easily.
I think Tithing and Giving will really connect with readers who are looking for a strong biblical case against mandatory tithing in the modern church. It’s not light reading, and it’s certainly not trying to sugarcoat anything. But if you’re a pastor, a Bible teacher, or just a Christian who’s tired of feeling guilty over giving, this book will give you something to think about. I’d recommend it to anyone open to rethinking what the Bible really says about giving.
Pages: 121 | ASIN : B0F9TZCK7W
We Are His
Not For This Life Only is framed as a devotional guide, challenging readers to view life not as an end in itself but as a preparation for eternity in God’s Kingdom through the use of Scripture, personal anecdotes, and traditional Christian teachings. Why was this an important book for you to write?
I don’t see my book as a devotional guide. It is a study in growth for life. The subtitle of my book is “A Study for growth into maturity as a Child of God, for today and for eternity.” Three concepts are important in that subtitle. We are all children created by Almighty God. He has a purpose for our life. We are to grow and mature in that purpose through whatever field we may choose. Maturity is in understanding who we are in relation to our Lord, understanding His nature of love and self giving, and reflecting His nature in serving others. This life of knowing our Lord and sharing His nature doesn’t end with death but continues into eternity.
What were some ideas that were important for you to share in this book?
God cares about and works in all aspects of life. As in Matthew 10:29, not a sparrow falls to the ground without our Father’s notice. God can use all things for our good and for our growth. Even those things that hurt and look the worst. Some things that happen that we may never see the full purpose, but many others we see from a perspective of time and are amazed and strengthened by seeing how God has use events to shape us in very positive ways.
What advice do you have for readers who are struggling with their faith and purpose to help them find their focus and get back onto the path they were meant to follow?
First, hold on and don’t let go of the truth that Almighty God really does love you personally. He was willing to give the life of His only Son, Jesus, for you. If you were the only person on earth He still would have given His life for you. Find a Christian fellowship, a church or a small prayer group. Pray and trust God to lead you to the right place. You will know the right place by having a sense of God’s peace.
What is one thing that you hope readers take away from Not For This Life Only?
It is Almighty God who created us and we are His. He seeks to work in life daily to bring us further into the beauty of His life.
LITERARY TITAN 