Blog Archives
Intervention in Church Conflict
In Intervention in Church Conflict, Dorothy R. Dann shares her personal and professional journey of navigating congregational conflict using a blend of narrative therapy and family systems theory. Rooted in her doctoral work and lived pastoral experience, the book recounts how she developed and applied a model for healing a divided church community. Through a series of phases, listening, externalizing, deconstructing, and rewriting, the intervention unfolds with theological grounding, leadership development, and a commitment to wholeness. The book is part memoir, part field guide, and part theological reflection.
This book was a surprisingly emotional experience for me. I expected an academic treatment, something heavy with theory and light on humanity. But Dann writes with a raw honesty that caught me off guard. Her vulnerability and deep compassion for the congregation she served shine through every page. I could feel her struggle to hold steady as a new pastor, tasked with helping a broken community rediscover itself. The writing is accessible, even when she’s discussing dense theoretical concepts. What really struck me was her belief that healing begins with storytelling, not fixing, not diagnosing, but listening. That resonated with me. It reminded me that leadership isn’t about having the answers but about being present in the hard moments.
Some chapters, particularly those summarizing academic sources, felt like detours from the gripping story of the actual church intervention. I found myself craving more narrative and fewer summaries of systems theory. Still, the theory has its place, and I get why she included it. For a pastor or counselor walking into their own conflict zone, those resources might be lifelines. The blend of scholarship and heart is ultimately what gives the book its depth. I just wished for more moments where the personal story took center stage, because when it did, it sang.
I’d wholeheartedly recommend this book to pastors, seminarians, church leaders, and anyone trying to navigate messy group dynamics, whether in faith communities or elsewhere. It’s especially valuable for those who feel in over their heads but want to walk with integrity and love through tough seasons. This book doesn’t offer quick fixes. It’s not a how-to manual with step-by-step guarantees. But what it does offer is wisdom, humility, and hope, and sometimes that’s exactly what you need when all you see is conflict.
Pages: 97 | ASIN : B0CW1L7FG2
Land Without Shame
Land Without Shame is a fast-paced Christian action thriller set in a gritty future where Cody Musket Jr. carries the legacy of a heroic family name. Twenty years from now, the world is plagued by political chaos, human trafficking, and high-tech warfare. When Cody finds himself in Caracas, rescuing a baby from a dumpster, he’s thrown into a whirlwind of danger involving plane crashes, guerrilla warlords, underground resistance groups, and a starlet who discovers her strength in the middle of tragedy. The story follows Cody’s mission to rescue victims of trafficking while wrestling with his own call to bravery, sacrifice, and faith.
Let me say this right off the bat, I was hooked from the very first chapter. The writing is raw and cinematic. It doesn’t waste time with fluff. It hits you with emotion, action, and conviction. I appreciated the way Miller balances suspense with moments of heart. The book feels personal, like the author poured his soul into these characters. There’s grit in Cody’s journey, but also tenderness. I felt the danger in the jungle, the pressure inside the crashing plane, the lump in my throat when Cody rescues a newborn from the garbage. Miller knows how to build tension, and he does it with simple words that hit hard. The inclusion of grounded Christian values didn’t feel preachy, it felt like backbone.
What surprised me the most was how much the characters grew on me, especially Diamond Casper. At first, she seemed like just another spoiled celebrity, but watching her come apart and rebuild herself through pain and survival, that hit differently. It’s not just a rescue story. It’s about redemption. About choosing courage even when your knees are shaking. The villains are ugly in all the right ways, but the heroes? They’re messy, complicated, sometimes broken, but they rise. And I admire that. Even the sci-fi tech isn’t overdone. It just feels like part of the world without stealing the spotlight from what matters.
Land Without Shame is a bold, unapologetic adventure. It’s thrilling, emotional, and deeply rooted in themes of family, sacrifice, and faith. I’d recommend this book to readers who enjoy clean but intense stories with spiritual weight, especially fans of action thrillers, survival tales, or stories with strong moral centers. If you like your heroes bruised but brave, and your endings hard-earned, this book delivers.
Pages: 247 | ASIN : B0F4MDDH9C
Joe Gross is Dead
Helen DeBell’s Joe Gross Is Dead is a raw and deeply personal memoir chronicling her battle with depression, bullying, and self-worth, and how her life was radically transformed through her faith in Jesus Christ. Growing up as the youngest child in a large Iowa farm family, DeBell weaves memories of her loving home life with the intense isolation and cruelty she experienced from peers. The nickname “Joe Gross,” cruelly given to her in high school, became a symbol of deep shame and self-loathing. But over the course of her story, we witness a spiritual awakening. DeBell shares how the voice of God intervened in her darkest moments, eventually leading her to a life of purpose, joy, and ministry. Her journey from the pain of near-suicide to becoming a mother, writer, and Christian leader is both heartbreaking and inspiring.
Reading this book was like stepping into someone’s diary and watching the pages of hurt slowly turn into a hymn. What struck me most was Helen’s ability to balance poetic honesty with gritty memories that don’t sugarcoat anything. The way she describes the moment she nearly took her own life felt like time stopped. Her writing is simple but full of emotion. It never felt distant or rehearsed. She made me feel like I was there beside her, in her childhood barn, in her quiet heartbreak, and later, in her healing. I admired her strength in exposing wounds that many people would rather forget. There’s something rare and brave about the way she holds nothing back.
But what really moved me wasn’t just the pain. It was the change. The book doesn’t just say “things got better.” It shows it. Her love story with Randy, her discovery of worship music, and the moment she gave her life to Christ, those pages glowed. You can sense her joy, not just in the words but in the way she lifts the weight off the story. There’s a powerful beauty in the way she reclaims the insult “Joe Gross” and turns it into “Jehovah’s Gardener.” It’s rare to read something that feels so personal and still leaves space for the reader to reflect on their own story.
Joe Gross Is Dead is for anyone who has ever felt invisible or broken, for anyone who’s been labeled and left out. It’s especially meaningful for people of faith or those curious about finding hope in God during deep pain. This isn’t a perfect, polished redemption arc, it’s a real one. I wouldn’t call it light reading, but I would call it necessary. If you’ve ever needed proof that people can come back from the edge and find life again, this book is it.
Pages: 42 | ASIN : B0F7C9F4BM
Madison’s Mission
Set against the lush backdrop of the Thousand Islands during the Gilded Age, Madison’s Mission is a heartwarming historical romance that follows Madison Murray, a devoted lady’s maid to the ailing Mrs. Boldt, as she navigates grief, love, and personal purpose. The story unfolds around the construction of the grand Boldt Castle, a real-life monument to love, as Madison’s world entwines with that of Emmett O’Connor, the castle’s construction foreman. With faith and courage as her guide, Madison must confront painful memories and uncertain futures while discovering unexpected hope and the possibility of love.
I was pulled in right away by the vivid descriptions of the setting. Susan Mathis paints Heart Island and Boldt Castle with such affection that you can almost hear the river lapping at the shore and feel the spring sun cutting through the mist. The writing has a gentle rhythm to it that mirrors the emotional cadence of the story itself. I liked the slow build between Madison and Emmett; it wasn’t forced or too polished. There’s something really comforting about the way Mathis lets the characters take their time, especially in a world that feels so rich in tradition and expectation.
The heart of the story is Madison’s inner journey, and I found myself really rooting for her. She’s lost so much, and her devotion to Mrs. Boldt feels honest and deeply earned. I also appreciated that the romantic thread with Emmett didn’t take center stage in a cloying way. It’s balanced with themes of purpose, grief, and faith. That said, some of the villainy (especially with Bruce Clawson) felt a little too on-the-nose, like the classic “bad guy” mold. But it didn’t ruin the ride. The story still delivered enough real emotional moments to keep me invested.
I’d recommend Madison’s Mission to anyone who enjoys historical romance with a strong sense of place and a thread of faith running through it. If you like sweet stories about finding strength in unexpected places and believe that love can come quietly, patiently, and with a bit of divine timing, then this one’s for you. I closed the book feeling a little misty-eyed.
Pages: 328 | ASIN : B0F9QQ5N8V
Mama I Owe You Nothing
Mama, I Owe You Nothing and Daddy Even Less by Simmer Breeze offers a thought-provoking exploration of the intricate dynamics between parents and their children. The author sets a strong premise, asserting that engaging in consensual unprotected sexual activity demands accountability for any resulting consequences. This stance forms the foundation for a deep dive into the complexities of the parent-child relationship, addressing issues from gender roles and divorce to the challenges of adult children caring for aging parents.
With a comprehensive lens, the book examines family dynamics through biological, social, and legal perspectives, encouraging readers to reassess and expand their understanding of these relationships. The author’s approach is refreshingly direct, moving swiftly from one topic to another while maintaining clarity and focus. Despite its brevity, the book serves as a compact guide to navigating life’s familial intricacies, blending discussions of U.S. laws, societal views, and personal opinions seamlessly.
One particularly compelling aspect is the author’s ability to intertwine diverse elements, from biology to constitutional law, offering readers a multifaceted perspective on family-related issues. There are strong opinions given throughout the book, particularly on sensitive topics like abortion. Early in the text, the author’s perspective on abortion might be interpreted as leaning critical, which could potentially distance some readers with differing viewpoints. While this impression may vary among readers, it slightly shifts the book’s otherwise balanced exploration. Structurally, I think a chronological arrangement, beginning with early pregnancy and moving through the stages of life, including elder care, might enhance the book’s readability and overall coherence.
Mama, I Owe You Nothing and Daddy Even Less remains an informative and thought-provoking read, shedding light on essential aspects of family dynamics that resonate in daily life. I recommend it to anyone seeking to better understand the multifaceted relationships within families.
Pages: 65 | ASIN : B0CNKVQTH6
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.
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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.
Finding Joe Adams: Overcoming Great Odds A Son Searches For His Father
After reading Finding Joe Adams by Joe Field, I can say it’s one of the most emotionally honest and gripping personal stories I’ve come across in a long time. The book follows the author’s decades-long journey to find his biological father, a man he never knew and was never told about. What starts as a survival story, abandonment, poverty, abuse, and resilience, morphs into a powerful account of identity, faith, and redemption. We follow Joe from a harrowing childhood in foster care and public housing to his adult years as a lawyer, all while haunted by the mystery of his origins. The turning point comes at age 60, when he finally discovers his father and a whole new family, culminating in a reunion that was captured on national television.
Joe Field’s writing is raw, often unpolished, and deeply human. His tone is not literary, but it hits you hard with its sincerity. He’s trying to tell the truth, and that truth isn’t always easy to digest. What stuck with me was how vividly he remembers pain. Not just his own, but also the impact of his absence on others. His childhood recollections are intense. Some moments are outright heart-wrenching: hiding from foster parents, watching his belongings vanish after yet another eviction, or enduring violence while alone. And yet, he rarely lets bitterness win. Instead, what comes through is a surprising current of humor, humility, and faith.
More than just storytelling, the book carries deep reflections on identity, belonging, and forgiveness. I was particularly touched by how Joe navigated his faith journey, not through sermons, but through the small, often overlooked kindnesses of others and the slow realization that he was never alone. His emotions are never oversold, which somehow made them hit harder. There’s an undercurrent of hope through every hardship, and that’s what makes the book linger. You walk away thinking not about how hard life was for him, but how strong the human spirit can be when it’s anchored by even the thinnest thread of hope.
I would recommend Finding Joe Adams to anyone who enjoys memoirs about resilience, family, and self-discovery. It’s especially powerful for readers who’ve ever wondered about their roots or struggled to make peace with a chaotic past. It’s a deeply personal story that feels universal in all the right ways. It’s not perfect, but then again, neither is life. And maybe that’s exactly what makes this book so worth reading.
Pages: 194 | ASIN : B0841PMGK2
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
LITERARY TITAN 