New Year, Old Ghosts: Start 2026 with a Bang

Instead of watching the ball drop. Why not curl up with a good book. And not any type of book - a hardboiled detective novel where the mystery unravels and keeps you turning the page.

My new novel, Don't Kiss Me Goodbye, drops on December 31, 2025. Perfect for the New Year. A perfect antidote to the holiday cheer. If you're looking for grit, rain-slicked city streets, and a P.I who refuses to stay down. This book is for you to start your year off right.

I'm not the thief. I'm the one trying to pull you out of the wreckage

The Story Copper Steele thought he had buried his past twenty years ago. But when the woman who ruined him returns from the dead with a bullet in her shoulder and a conspiracy in her wake, Steele is forced to reopen the one case he swore he’d never touch.

This isn't just a detective story. It's a story about old wounds, dirty politics, and the kind of love that doesn't just break your heart—it stops it.

What to expect:

• A Disgraced Detective: Copper Steele is fighting for redemption in a city that wants him dead.
• A Femme Fatale: Jasmine Blade proves that some ghosts are more dangerous when they're alive.
• A Lethal Partner: Shania Savage, who proves she is the deadliest person in the room.
• A Conspiracy: A trail of corruption that leads all the way to the Mayor’s office.

"Ghosts don't stay dead, Shay. And neither do we."

Pre-Order Now for December 31st Delivery Secure your copy today for the price of a cup of coffee. Have it delivered wirelessly the moment the clock strikes midnight, and wake up on New Year's Day with a new case to crack.

Pre-Order 'Don't Kiss Me Goodbye' on Amazon

Paperback edition coming soon!

Shadows, Rain, and Deadlines: The Halfway Mark of 'Don't Kiss Me Goodbye'

The rain is falling hard in Seattle, both outside my window and on the page.

I have officially over the halfway mark on the manuscript for Don't Kiss Me Goodbye, and the ghosts aren't staying dead. We are 33 chapters deep into this 52-chapter sprint, racing toward a December 31st release deadline, and the coffee pot is working just as hard as I am.

Writing a hardboiled detective novel is a lot like working a cold case: you think you know where the bodies are buried, and then the shovel hits something unexpected.

In the first half of the book, we’ve seen Copper Steele take his punches—literally and metaphorically. But as we cross into the second act, the dynamic has shifted. This isn't just about a gritty P.I. chasing a lead anymore; it’s about a man realizing that his "white knight" complex might be the very thing that kills him.

The stakes have never been higher. Betrayals are cutting deep, secret daughters are stepping out of the shadows, and the line between the victim and the villain is blurring.

But the real heart of this story is Shania Savage. She is proving she’s more than just a partner; she’s the anchor keeping Copper from drifting out to sea.

A Sneak Peek from the Draft:

"I didn't steal you," Shania said fiercely. "I saved you. Or I tried to."

She leaned in, her face inches from yours. "She was poison, Steele. A toxic bloom that looked pretty but rotted everything it touched. She took your badge. She took your pride. And she almost took your life. Twice."

She rested her forehead against yours. "I'm not the thief. I'm the one trying to pull you out of the wreckage."

As I dive into the final 26 chapters, the body count is rising, and the mystery of the Gadianton Brotherhood is unraveling fast. Copper Steele is battered, bruised, and currently nursing a bullet wound, but he's finally seeing clearly for the first time in twenty years.

Get ready to walk the wet pavement with Copper and Shania. This case is personal, and it’s going to leave a mark.

Coming to Kindle December 31.

Scriptural Silence: The Case for a Divine Mother

Is the Queen of Heaven truly a pagan intrusion, or is she the Bible's most significant missing person?

While the instinct to defend the One True God against idolatry is scripturally grounded, dismissing the concept of a Heavenly Mother as mere "recycled paganism" or "19th-century speculation" overlooks a mountain of archaeological evidence. The silence you may perceive in the canon may not actually be an absence of the Divine Mother or Divine Feminine. That is, unless you want to hold to heterodoxy tradition of God being a dyadic-non-binary being. And by this - holding to the tradition that God is genderless and encompasses both male and female attributes and characteristic traits. Such a notion stemming from Gnostic heresy and teachings.

However, evidence suggests a deliberate suppression of the divine feminine and divine mother during the Deuteronomistic reforms - a silence that modern revelation breaks. By examining the original Hebrew rendering of the text and historical role of Asherah within the Divine Council, we find that Latter-day Saint theology does not invent a new goddess; rather, it restores the suppressed First Temple theology of the Divine Feminine, aligning the creation narrative and the image of God with the best consensus of contemporary Biblical Scholarship.

To appreciate the Latter-day Saint viewpoint - and then respond to the X user PetGorilla's posting, we want to first dismantle the logical framework used. The rejection of the divine feminine rests not on the absence of evidence, but on a series of interpretive fallacies that mistake historical suppression for theological non-existence.

Lesson 5: The Church of the First Century & Restoration Parallels

Was the "Great Apostasy" just a loss of truth, or was it a loss of power? In our latest installment of the Apostasy to Restoration: Reformation or Restoration - That is the Question series, I examine the structural and spiritual disintegration of the First Century Church and the divine pattern required to restore it.

Watch the Premiere Join me for the full lesson at 7:30 PM PST as I connect the dots between the ancient Church and the modern Restoration.

The Divine Pattern of Authority Before the Church could conquer the world, it had to be organized. In Acts 1, Peter uses three specific words to define the vacancy left by Judas:

1. Diakonia: The duty to serve.
2. Episkopē: The position of oversight (acting as a proxy for God’s visitation).
3. Apostolē: The commission to go out as an ambassador.

However, structure alone wasn't enough. The Apostles were commanded to wait for "power from on high."

Pentecost and the Kirtland Temple One of the key insights from this lesson is the parallel between the Day of Pentecost (Acts 2) and the dedication of the Kirtland Temple (1836). By using the lens of the Restoration, we can see that Pentecost was not just a revival; it was a Temple Endowment.

• The Upper Room: Functioned as a "Holy of Holies."
• Cloven Tongues of Fire: Signified the investiture of the High Priesthood upon every believer.
• The Kirtland Parallel: Early Saints recorded identical manifestations—rushing winds and tongues of fire—confirming that Joseph Smith didn't just invent a new church; he restored the ancient experience.

Peter’s Sermon as a Temple Text We also discuss the work of scholars who argue that Peter’s sermon follows a liturgical "Temple Text" pattern: Gathering, Instruction on the Atonement, and Covenant Making (Baptism). Peter wasn't just preaching on a street corner; he was officiating as a High Priest.

Come Follow Me Old Testament — Dec 29–Jan 4 | First Testament of Jesus Christ: For Our Profit and Learning (Introduction)

Patreon Early Access: Come Follow Me (Dec 29–Jan 4)

The First Testament of Jesus Christ — For Our Profit and Learning: Introduction

Thank you for supporting Faith and Reason. Your partnership makes it possible for me to create thoughtful, Christ‑centered teaching resources for Christians in recovery, writers of faith, and anyone seeking a deeper walk with the Savior. I’m grateful you’re here.

This week’s early‑access episode launches our yearlong journey through the Come, Follow Me: Old Testament curriculum. The First Testament of Jesus Christ is designed to help us see the Old Testament the way Jesus Himself taught—recognizing that all scripture testifies of Him. In this introduction, we lay the foundation for how to study, what to look for, and how these ancient writings strengthen our discipleship today.

What’s Included in This Early Access Post

• ✅ Early Access Video (Unlisted YouTube link)
• ✅ Episode Summary & Study Focus
• ✅ PowerPoint Slides (available to mid‑tier patrons and above)
• ✅ Additional notes for deeper reflection

Become a Patreon Member today and save money on your first month's tiered membership fee.

Video goes public on December 29, 2026 at 7 am PST on YouTube - Subscribe here

What to Look Forward to in Come Follow Me - Old Testament 2026

I have a question for you - are you ready to experience the Old Testament like never before? 2026 brings us into the study of the Old Testament for Come Follow Me. Be sure to access this resource by clicking the link here - Come Follow Me - Old Testament. This is not your ordinary reading plan - it is a covenantal journey that blends scripture, recovery, and discipleship into a transformative path of resilient faith. Whether you are seeking to deepen and enrich your faith, understanding of the Old Testament, daily devotional, or a framework to thrive in recovery and sobriety - this year will offer a unique resource and opportunity designed to meet you were you are and guide you forward.

Here is what you may look forward to:

• Weekly Expository Teachings: Study, examine, and apply covenant themes and recovery parallels with clear scripture -anchored expository commentary and teaching. Each message balances faith and reason, showing how the Old Testament speaks spiritually and intellectually to each one of us.
• Daily Devotionals: Structured readings harmonized with the Beatitudes and traditional twelve steps where it offers insight and empowerment for individuals to make personal and spiritual applications while walking a path of recovery and sobriety through discipleship.
• Come Follow Me Livestream Panel Discussion: There is a group of Latter-day Saint content creators who get together and have livestream panel discussions weekly. We meet and livestream every Sunday, 8 PM PST/9 PM MST. This is livestreamed to multiple channels and platforms. You can watch on my social media platforms on YouTube, Facebook, and X. Or watch here on WordPress when it is posted.

Watch the Livestream CFM Discussion on the Family Proclamation Sunday, December 21, 2025 - 8 PM PST/ 9 PM PST. If you are interested in joining the livestream chat and interact with other viewers, ask the panelist questions then click through to watch on YouTube.

Anchoring in scripture, offering support, and empowering growth in recovery and sobriety - these resources encourage each person to experience the mysteries of God and understand His tender mercies in their own life.

Download the Google Doc with this link

Important Update: Sacred Sobriety Is Moving

For many years, Sacred Sobriety: A Path for the Soul has served as a quiet refuge—a place for reflection, healing, and Christ-centered recovery. I’m deeply grateful for every person who has read, shared, or found strength in the words published here.

As my ministry continues to grow, especially through the Faith and Reason community on Patreon, I’m consolidating and archiving content to create a more focused, sustainable, and spiritually grounded experience for those walking the path of recovery and discipleship.

What’s Changing

All existing content from Sacred Sobriety is being moved and archived within the Faith and Reason Patreon community. This shift allows everything—devotionals, recovery reflections, spiritual tools, and new teachings—to live in one organized, intentional space.

No new content will be posted on this WordPress site. The site will remain available as an access point, but ongoing updates, resources, and community interaction will take place elsewhere.

Where You Can Continue the Journey

You can stay connected with my work and the broader ministry in two places:

✅ Main Website – Timothy R. Berman

For updates on writing, ministry projects, and creative work

✅ Faith and Reason Patreon Community

For archived Sacred Sobriety content, new devotionals, recovery-focused teachings, and community engagement

Your support—whether through reading, sharing, or participating—means more than you know. This transition helps me continue offering thoughtful, spiritually rich content while building a community centered on faith, healing, and meaningful Christian living.

Thank you for walking this path with me. I look forward to continuing the journey together in the new space.

New Guidance on Bible Translations for Latter-day Saints

The latest wave of updates to the “General Handbook: Serving in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints” includes an adjustment to a portion about editions and translations of the Holy Bible.

The handbook notes that “generally, members should use a preferred or Church-published edition of the Bible in Church classes and meetings.” In English, that is the King James Version.

The adjusted handbook section also points to examples of English Bible translations that members can consider as they seek to better understand the teachings of the Hebrew Bible and the New Testament.

Source: New Guidance on Bible Translations for Latter-day Saints

Understanding Church Hurt: Compassion and Accountability

Church hurt is real—and it’s time we stop shaming people for feeling wounded. In this video, I share my thoughts on a meme that says, “If being hurt by the church causes you to lose faith in God, then your faith was in people, not God.” While it sounds spiritual, it often becomes a passive‑aggressive tool that invalidates real pain and protects unhealthy church culture.

As a Latter-day Saint Christian content creator, I’m addressing why this message is harmful, how it perpetuates shame in both Latter‑day Saint and Evangelical communities, and what Jesus actually taught about dealing with offense, betrayal, and spiritual injury—especially through Matthew 18.

I'll explore:

✅ What “church hurt” really means

✅ Why dismissing pain damages faith instead of strengthening it

✅ How to minister to the wounded with compassion and accountability

✅ What modern psychology says about spiritual abuse and trauma

✅ How recent General Conference messages emphasize validation, belonging, and Christlike ministering

✅ Practical steps for healing, boundaries, and healthy conflict resolution

✅ How Matthew 18 provides a biblical framework for safety, dignity, and restoration

This is not about attacking churches or leaders.

This is about ending shame culture, validating lived experience, and learning how to minister like Christ—who never blamed the wounded for bleeding. If you’ve experienced church hurt, spiritual abuse, or betrayal from people you trusted, this video offers clarity, comfort, and a path forward.

The Whispering House: Reason Meta is Considering Leaving and What it Means for Our Soul

In D.H. Lawrence’s tragic short story The Rocking-Horse Winner, a family lives in a beautiful home that is haunted by a terrible secret. Though they have style, status, and luxury, the walls themselves seem to breathe with an unspoken anxiety. The children hear it at night. The toys hear it in the nursery. It is a constant, maddening whisper that says one thing over and over:

"There must be more money! There must be more money!"

Today, I believe the state of Washington has become that whispering house.

We saw the proof this week with the reports that Meta (Facebook) is halting its expansion in Bellevue, surrendering development rights and signaling a major retreat from the region. On the surface, this is a story about tax policy—specifically, the "socialistic idealism" of a one-party leadership that believes it can endlessly extract wealth from employers to fund utopian fantasies.

But if you look closer, this isn't just about economics. It is a symptom of a deeper spiritual pathology.

In my latest Op-Ed on Medium, I argue that we are living through a real-time reenactment of Lawrence’s tragedy, while simultaneously ignoring the prophetic warnings given by Ezra Taft Benson nearly sixty years ago. We are seeing what happens when a culture becomes addicted to the "rocking horse" of material security while dismantling the moral fiber of family, faith, and liberty.

Despair is easy, but it is not a covenant response. So, how do we stand firm when the house is whispering?

Read the Full Article on Medium - The Whispering House of Olympia: Meta, Madness, and the Prophetic Warning (NOTE: The link lets you read for free. If you want to leave a comment or clap, you'll just need a free Medium login).

Are You a Stranger in a Strange Land? Vision for 2026

Have you ever felt out of place—like a cultural misfit? Maybe your spirit doesn’t quite match the vibe, rhythm, or culture around you.

I want you to know that this feeling is not a flaw. It is a calling.

As we look toward 2026, I am excited to share my introductory message: "Strangers in a Strange Land." In this episode, we explore the anchor verse that will guide us through the Old Testament and discover why disciples of Christ are called to be covenant travelers passing through Egypt without becoming Egyptian.

Watch the Episode Early The full episode will be available to the public on Monday, but I am releasing it early for our partner community.

If you want to watch the video right now and join the conversation before it goes public, you can get early access on Patreon.

Click here for early access to watch "Strangers in a Strange Land" - Vision for 2026 on the Faith and Reason Patreon Community Page

Thank you for pressing forward with steadfast faith.

— Timothy, Galatians 2:20

The Mindful Writer: Silence the Noise

The blank page is not your enemy. The noise in your head is.

We often think successful writing is just a technical skill we learn in school. But if you have ever stared at a blinking cursor, paralyzed by self-doubt, you know that grammar rules aren't enough. Writing is an act of translation—pulling the invisible thoughts and spiritual stirrings of the soul into the visible world. To do that, you don't just need a vocabulary; you need discipline.

True storytelling requires a quiet mind. It requires the bravery to look at the world without flinching and the ability to observe without judgment. Whether you call it the "still small voice" or the "Flow State," accessing this deeper reservoir is the secret to waking up your readers.

I have broken down the specific daily protocols I use to silence the internal critic and master the art of observation.

Get the Blueprint. To read the full guide on the "3 Steps to Mindful Writing" and download the exclusive Writer’s Emergency Kit (a clinical protocol adapted for creative recovery), join us at the Digital Library.

👉 JOIN THE COMMUNITY & DOWNLOAD THE PDF ON PATREON