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Miracles Beyond The Crowd
Miracles Beyond the Crowd is a heartfelt call to push past spiritual passivity and step into a faith that moves, reaches, climbs, and refuses to settle. Author Nico Smit weaves together vivid Gospel narratives with pastoral insight, showing how people who pursued Jesus with grit and hunger were the ones who encountered breakthrough. The book traces stories like the woman with the issue of blood, Bartimaeus, the paralytic lowered through the roof, and the Canaanite woman, and shows how each miracle came to someone who would not stay in the safety of the crowd. The message is simple and clear, yet full of fire. Faith walks. Faith presses in. Faith does not back down. Smit invites readers to become people who step toward Jesus even when blocked, ignored, or discouraged.
I was surprised by how personal the writing felt. The tone is warm and direct. It almost reads like a conversation with a pastor who refuses to let you drift into complacency. I felt challenged in ways that caught me off guard. Certain lines made me nod along, and others made me stop and stare because they hit something inside me. The stories are familiar, yet Smit retells them with a kind of urgency that made me feel the tension in each moment. When he describes the woman crawling through the crowd or the friends ripping open a roof to get to Jesus, I could almost feel the dust and desperation. The writing moves quickly and stays clear, and it stirred up old questions for me about what I have quietly stopped believing God for.
I also appreciated how honest the book is about resistance. Smit does not pretend that faith is polished or pretty. He talks about faith that crawls, shouts, stumbles, and keeps going anyway. I felt a kind of relief reading that. It made space for the days when hope feels thin, and the crowd feels loud. The tone is bold and I could feel it pushing me to examine the ways I settle for proximity to Jesus without actually pursuing Him. There were moments I felt encouraged, and others where I felt exposed in the best possible way. The writing carries a strong emotional pull. It made me want to stand up and believe again for things I had quietly filed away.
Miracles Beyond the Crowd is a passionate and stirring read. I would recommend it to anyone who feels stuck, weary, or spiritually dull, and especially to those who believe in Jesus but have lost the fire to chase after Him. It is a great fit for people who love practical faith stories, people who enjoy devotional style encouragement, and anyone longing for fresh hope.
Pages: 122 | ASIN : B0FX5ZH62M
The Eternal Bridge
The Eternal Bridge is a fantasy parable about a world healed on the surface yet still aching inside. The story begins three years after Geshriel becomes a living bridge that joins two once-hostile shores. People trade, marry, feast, and rebuild, and life looks whole again. Then small tremors shake the land, crops wither, and feasts feel thinner, and the community senses a deeper break between earth and heaven that no wooden span can fix. The book follows families like Fidel and Verita, Liberta and Dathan, and many others as they wrestle with grief, restlessness, and hope while they wait for Geshriel to return and complete the work he began. In the final movement, the bridge turns into a vertical path of light, the dead are raised, a radiant city descends, and the people find their true home in the presence of the Lamb and the Maker, in a union that feels final and yet ever deepening.
I felt pulled in first by the tenderness of the relationships. The marriages and families feel warm and lived in, and I cared about them very quickly. The scenes of simple daily life on the bridge, the artisan work, the trade, the shared meals, all carry a quiet glow. When the cracks appear in that paradise, the emotional punch hits hard, because the book has already convinced me that this community matters. The later reunions with lost children, spouses, and elders hit an even deeper nerve. The big theological ideas turn very personal there, because the hope of resurrection shows up not as an abstract promise but as a mother getting her baby back, or a couple finally freed from decades of guilt.
The prose leans lyrical and earnest, and sometimes it worked for me. The symbols are very clear, and the story rarely hides what it wants to say. The bridge, the orchard, the feast, the tremors, every image points to a spiritual theme. That clarity will comfort some readers. The early chapters linger on peaceful life on the bridge, and a few of those sections felt long, while the cosmic finale races by in a rush of visions, reunions, and worship. I enjoyed that ending.
I would recommend The Eternal Bridge to readers who love clear, heartfelt Christian allegory and who enjoy stories in the vein of C. S. Lewis’s The Great Divorce or classic devotional fiction. If you are hungry for a story that talks openly about loss, longing, reunion, and eternal hope, and if you like the idea of seeing big doctrinal themes lived out in ordinary families, this novel will likely move you.
Pages: 223 | ASIN : B0G4NYKT9J
The Empowerment Revolution
The Empowerment Revolution is a personal-development book that blends memoir, psychology, spirituality, and practical coaching into a clear roadmap for moving from fear and survival into confidence and self-authorship. Dr. Stacey Kevin Frick opens with his own early story of trauma and learned fear, then expands outward into ideas about subconscious programming, emotional survival states, energetic narratives, accountability, and redefining success on your own terms. The book reads like a mix of self-help and narrative psychology, anchored by the author’s belief that empowerment is both a mindset and a lifelong practice of reclaiming your personal agency.
As I moved through the book, I found myself reacting as if in conversation with someone who’s lived the work they’re teaching. Frick’s stories of childhood fear and misaligned beliefs aren’t told for shock value. They serve as the emotional doorway into his central point: most of us inherit limiting stories long before we know we’re allowed to question them. His description of being suffocated as a toddler by his father hit me hard, not because of the event itself, but because of how clearly he connects it to the beliefs he carried into adulthood, beliefs about danger, abandonment, and worthiness. The writing is plainspoken at times, but the honesty gives it weight. I liked that he doesn’t try to sound like a guru. Instead, he sounds like someone who’s been in the dark and is willing to say exactly what it took to find the light.
What surprised me most was how often the book invited me to slow down and check in with myself. There’s a whole section about “old energetic narratives” that blend scientific and spiritual language, but the core idea is relatable: your environment shapes you, and if you’re not careful, it keeps shaping you long after you’ve outgrown it. The story of the CEO who still carried his father’s “you’re not good enough” energy despite having every external marker of success made the point better than any metaphor could. Moments like that made me pause and take stock of which beliefs in my own life were inherited rather than chosen. And even when the book leaned a bit mystical, the practical reminders, like checking where your feet are to remind yourself you’re safe, brought everything back down to earth.
By the time Frick gets to empowerment itself, the tone shifts in a good way. It becomes less about uncovering wounds and more about building something new. The chapter on accountability frames it not as a burden but as a reclaiming of your strength, almost like choosing your life rather than reacting to it. I appreciated that. It felt grounded, not preachy. And the distinction he draws between “proving” and “improving” landed with me. One drains you because you’re performing for someone else. The other fills you because you’re growing for yourself.
The Empowerment Revolution feels best suited for readers who enjoy personal-development books that mix introspection with practical coaching. If you like memoir-styled self-help or transformational psychology, you’ll probably connect with it. The book encourages you to look honestly at the beliefs that built your identity, question the ones that hurt more than they help, and choose new ones with intention.
Pages: 130 | ASIN : B0FNY5VM47
Life-Changing Journeys
Awakening Stories is a collection of personal essays written by twenty-three individuals who share their spiritual and emotional transformations. What was the inspiration behind putting together this collection of stories about personal awakening?
After navigating my own spiritual transformation over the past ten years and listening to the stories of others, I recognized a pattern. People often felt alone, sometimes crazy, as if no one else could possibly understand what they were going through. Since these types of experiences are so unique— deeply personal and often traumatic—it is important that we break the stigma and mystery surrounding spiritual awakenings. This anthology covers a variety of themes and experiences in the hope that readers will find at least one story that resonates, realizing that they are not alone and are always supported.
What was your process to collect the stories, and how did you decide what to include in this anthology?
For this anthology, I sought out authors from diverse demographic backgrounds who had successfully navigated a variety of life-changing journeys. I wanted readers to see themselves in those stories, to know that they are not crazy, not alone, and that there is light at the end of the tunnel. The authors who said “yes” to this project recognized the importance of sharing; they were willing to be vulnerable in order to assist others. They felt called to this project, and I am in gratitude for their contribution.
Did you find anything in your research of this book that surprised you, or that you found especially moving?
What surprised me, truly, was the authors’ courage—their willingness to tell their stories boldly and revisit sometimes painful memories. Even those who didn’t experience a “dark night of the soul” had navigated events that were challenging for them to integrate, such as an NDE, UFO encounter, or out-of-body experience. As the anthology editor, I was moved by their strength and tremendously grateful for their gift to humanity.
What is one thing that you hope readers take away from Awakening Stories?
My hope is that readers who have navigated (or may, in the future), their own spiritual transformation will find advice, refuge, and strength in these stories…that they will recognize themselves in the words of our authors and know that, though the ride might be bumpy, the outcome will be beautiful.
Author Links: GoodReads | X (Twitter) | Facebook | Website | Amazon
Awakening Stories
Awakening Stories is a collection of personal essays written by twenty-three individuals who share their spiritual and emotional transformations. The book begins with an introduction by Dr. Allison Brown, who frames the anthology as part of a broader human awakening, a time when individuals and societies are breaking down old ways of being to rebuild something more authentic and compassionate. Each story follows a different thread: grief, addiction, faith, illness, self-discovery, and love. Together, they form a patchwork of healing, vulnerability, and inner strength that echoes one truth, awakening isn’t a single event but a lifelong process of remembering who we are.
Every chapter opened a window into someone’s private reckoning with pain and renewal. The writing varies, sometimes lyrical, sometimes blunt, but always sincere. I found myself pausing often, not because the text was dense, but because it stirred things I hadn’t planned to feel. Some stories shimmered with beauty, like Julie Sivell’s reflection on homesickness for the divine, or Evan Brown’s raw recollection of a moment of awakening in a Hawaiian temple. Others punched harder, especially those that dealt with trauma and survival. There’s a rhythm to the book, like waves of confession and clarity, and though the voices differ, there’s a common heartbeat pulsing through them: hope.
Stylistically, the book has an intimacy that pulls you close. It doesn’t read like a polished self-help manual or a philosophical treatise, it reads like a gathering around a fire. Some passages drift into the mystical. It invites you to question, to lean in, to wrestle with what you believe. Dr. Brown’s vision as editor feels grounded in compassion rather than doctrine.
I’d recommend Awakening Stories to anyone feeling lost, restless, or curious about the deeper layers of being alive. It’s not a quick read, it’s one you sit with. If you’ve ever faced a moment that cracked your sense of self, this book will meet you there and whisper that you’re not alone. It’s for the seekers, the skeptics, the wounded, and anyone brave enough to believe that breaking apart might just be the first step toward becoming whole.
Pages: 287 | ASIN: B0DKG1RNT3
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
An Alternative to Believing in Nothing
SD Hagen’s An Alternative to Believing in Nothing is both a personal journey and a public invitation to explore the philosophy of Deism, a belief in a non-intervening Creator, grounded in reason, nature, and science rather than organized religion. Hagen introduces Deism as a third path for the spiritually curious who are disillusioned with traditional religion but not ready to settle for atheism or agnosticism. Through a blend of memoir, history, and practical guidance, he presents Deism as a meaningful alternative for modern seekers, especially those among the “nones,” the fast-growing segment of religiously unaffiliated adults in the U.S.
I was taken in by the honesty of Hagen’s storytelling. He opens up about loss, fatherhood, and the spiritual vacuum left by a nonreligious upbringing. There’s a gentleness to how he lays out his path toward Deism. There’s no lecturing, no dogma, just a guy trying to make sense of things. It felt genuine. His curiosity is contagious. I appreciated how he didn’t shy away from emotion, and the way he wove historical facts about figures like Jefferson and Paine into his story gave his ideas more weight. At times, I found myself highlighting entire paragraphs, not because they were particularly poetic, but because they were refreshingly clear and grounded.
The section on religious survey data, while informative, slowed the momentum. I understand why it’s there though, it builds the case that there’s a large audience who might connect with Deism, but I wanted to get back to the philosophy and personal insights because I found them to be the most interesting aspects of the book. The writing style is conversational and accessible, which works well overall, though occasionally it leans into a presentation deck tone. Still, Hagen’s passion for reason and spiritual openness kept me flipping pages.
I found this book to be a thoughtful and hopeful read. It’s ideal for people who feel adrift spiritually but aren’t ready to give up on meaning altogether. I’d recommend it especially to late bloomers, people going through big life transitions, or anyone raising kids and wondering how to pass on values without dogma.
Pages: 212 | ASIN : B0FF3N4LG5
The Shepherd: Experiencing Psalm 23
The Shepherd is a heartfelt and personal exploration of Psalm 23, written by James Collins, a pastor and veteran with a deep love for scripture. The book walks readers line by line through the famous psalm, connecting each phrase to stories from the Bible, real-life events, and personal anecdotes. It’s not a theological tome but rather a reflection, aiming to make the beauty and depth of Psalm 23 come alive for the everyday believer. With each chapter, Collins unpacks a single verse or idea, emphasizing God’s love, guidance, and care for His people in a way that’s accessible and full of warmth.
Collins writes simply, sometimes with humor, and often with deep emotion. He doesn’t try to impress the reader with scholarship; instead, he reaches for the heart. What stood out most to me was his ability to make ancient words feel fresh. His use of stories like the little boy in the hospital holding his ring finger or the Civil War soldier saved by a song brought me to tears. The message that “the Lord is always with you” is a good one, and it is repeated often.
I also appreciated Collins’s honesty about his own limitations. He says right out that he doesn’t know much about sheep, which makes his exploration of shepherding all the more relatable. That humility gives the book a kind of strength. But I also found myself wishing the book went deeper in parts. There’s a lot of comfort here, but not always a challenge. At times, it leaned into sentiment, which was moving.
By the end, I was glad I read it. This book is full of kindness. It doesn’t shout or try to prove anything. It gently reminds you that you’re not alone. I’d recommend The Shepherd to anyone who is hurting, anyone who’s looking for comfort, or anyone who wants to revisit the Psalms with a fresh set of eyes. It’s a good book to give to a friend going through something hard. It’s also a great companion to quiet mornings with coffee and prayer. It won’t shake up your theology, but it might just soothe your heart.
Pages: 114 | ASIN : B0F6M678SY
LITERARY TITAN 