About the Book

Book: Psalms from the Sea, Volume IV: OPERATIONS

Author: David Reid Brown

Genre: Christian Devotional

Release Date: October, 2025

DID YOU KNOW? YOUR CHRISTIAN WALK HAS A LOT IN COMMON WITH THE LIFE OF A NAVY SAILOR!

Yes! It seems too hard to believe but it is true. Sailors experience hardship, trust, fatigue, worry, disappointment, joy–and so do you! A sailor’s life is filled with the common experiences you have every day of your Christian walk.

OPERATIONS is a compilation of over fifty devotional stories composed by DAVID REID BROWN while he served at sea. These stories present the life of sailors in a way that touches on topics that mirror your daily Christian walk. Each story concludes with a practical application section, relevant scripture, and prayer.

DAVID REID BROWN has first-hand knowledge in understanding the life of a Sailor because he lived it. As former Navy Chaplain, he also understands Biblical truth and how to identify spiritual principles and experiences that Christians and sailors share.

In this book, readers will be:

Surprised to learn the daily lives of Christians and Sailors are quite similar.
Inspired by sea stories that connect with Biblical truths.
Amazed by the selfless sacrifice of Sailors, Marines, and their families.

Still curious? Read this book and find out how God will meet your curiosity with a stronger faith in Him and a deeper admiration for the service of military members and their families.

Click here to get your copy!

Author Interview

Why did you choose to write about this topic?
First, I’d like to thank you for the opportunity to be featured on your blog.
I chose to write this book in dedication to all the sailors and families whom I have had the privilege
of serving as a U.S. Navy Chaplain. Operations is the fourth volume in the “Psalms From the Sea”
devotional series, and it tells the story of my first shipboard deployment, which started eight days
after 9/11 and concluded seven months later. The premise of the books is that there are striking
similarities between the experiences in the daily life of a Sailor and that of a Christian.

How do you balance writing time with other things?
I am a high school Government, Art, and Bible teacher who works the traditional forty-hour work
week. As you may be aware, a teacher’s work doesn’t end at 3:30 pm but extends into most
evenings with lesson planning and grading, with even the weekend open for more planning time.
Therefore, my writing takes place early mornings between 4 and 6 am and on weekends during the
school year. Summer is my “sweet spot”, when I have unrestricted time to write and engage in other
recreational activities. The bulk of my books is accelerated or completed during the summer. I have
two children who are young adults, and they do not require the attention that was required during
their school-aged and teenage years.

Was there anything you found particularly interesting while researching?
The whole Psalms From the Sea series is a non-fiction memoir that I experienced first-hand.
Everything about it was interesting! I distinctly remember how that peaceful morning of September
11, 2001, began, all to have it shattered by the terrorist attack. I remember having to report to my
ship at Norfolk Naval Base and being ordered to sail up to New York City to help with the relief
efforts. Deploying eight days later to Afghanistan—literally a half a world away from home.
Spending seven months overseas and returning home to a hero’s welcome. Yes, it was all very
interesting and quite an honor to serve our country at that critical time in our history.

Do you think reading helps you with writing?
I think it does. The influx of ideas and various approaches to writing only enhances your skill. The
more you read, the better you become at writing. Besides, there are always writers and authors
who are more skilled of present a different writing voice than you.

What is different about writing non-fiction vs fiction?
I admire fiction writers for their vivid imaginations that can devise characters, settings, plots, and
conclusions “out of thin air”. It is not my gift. Non-fiction stories have been my preference. However,
I am getting away from non-fiction to write poetry, which I love. I may return to more non-fiction
stories, though, in the future.
Thanks again!
Blessings, David Reid Brown

About the Author

David Reid Brown is a retired Navy Chaplain and currently serves as a high school Government, Bible, and Art teacher at Grace Christian School in Mechanicsville, VA. He has authored nine books: Spirit Soundings: A Chaplain’s Journal of Life at Sea (three volumes), Lost Summer, and Psalms from The Sea (four volumes), and a book of poetry, Sophia’s Songs. These inspirational stories were born out of his global seafaring experiences, spanning twenty-one years of peace, war, and three overseas deployments as well as his service as a Christian educator.

More from David

Did you know? The art on the front cover of my book, OPERATIONS, was designed and created by one of my Ninth Grade Art Students. Yes, it’s true. I recognized that this young artist had the technical skill and artistic flair to create the unique cover art required for this book when he was just in the sixth grade!

FOR OVER TWENTY-ONE YEARS, I have had the distinct privilege of serving thousands of sailors, Marines, and their families across the nation, upon every major ocean, as well as overseas. I am most proud to have shared a common bond of service, sacrifice, and devotion. OPERATIONS is my patriotic tribute to them.