Fields of the Fatherless: Discover the Joy of Compassionate Living was written on the premise of the story of Ruth and how she would go into the fields and pick the extra grain for her and Naomi's meals. Through the story of Ruth in the Bible one reads that Boaz instructs his men to allow extra grain to fall so that Ruth would have more to gather, as the story continues one reads of their romance and how Boaz and Ruth are blessed for their commitment to service.

Tom takes that story and uses it as a spring board to encourage Christians on how to care for the orphan and widow and how it is our responsibility to be mindful and loving to those who have no advocate. Tom also speaks and how the early church recognized the importance and demand to care for the widows of their time and how they became proactive in an organized fashion by delegating the responsibility to mature Spirit filled elders. While reading this book one learns that the widow and the orphan are two groups of people are easily ignored, judged, and very little advocacy is done for them especially in this day in age when advocacy and representation is essential for respect and care in the larger society. ... more

Thomas asked me before our vacation to Vermont if I was interested in reading and then reviewing two books that needed to be reviewed for Everyday Liturgy, I quickly agreed to the offer because I did not have any books to bring with me on our vacation. I read Red Letters and Fields of the Fatherless in about 14 days, so rest assured they are not overwhelming and also bare in mind that I am not a fast reader.

Tom Davis's Red Letters:Living A Faith That Bleeds states in the beginning of the book that the premise was to allow the reader to be transformed through the awareness of the power and urgency of the red letters in the Bible. Davis articulates that there is a clear and deliberate reason why Bibles highlight Jesus' words red, because God in human form is speaking and it is very important that the those who read it understand and take action. He writes with conviction when he discusses the crippling effects A.I.D.S. has had on Africa and how Christians must intercede in a tangible way. He speaks of the overcrowded and ill equipped orphanages that are tucked away in Russia's heart land, and how children are forced out around the age of 15-17 and are expected to adapt and survive on their own.