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When All Else Fails, BLAME YOUR MOTHER!: The Untold Story of Barbara & David Johnson and the Founding of Spatula Ministries
An Odyssey of Truth and Reconciliation
From the Land of Homophobia to the Shores of Amazing Grace, this is the gripping story of David Johnson and his mother, beloved author Barbara Johnson. In 1975, David’s revelation of homosexuality shattered their evangelical Christian world, triggering a violent confrontation and years of estrangement.
Through heartbreak and healing, their journey reveals the transformative power of love, as grace replaces judgment and truth dissolves fear. Barbara’s groundbreaking work on homophobia, grief, and loss reached millions through her best-selling books, Spatula Ministries, and national speaking engagements with Women of Faith.
When All Else Fails, Blame Your Mother! is a powerful, evocative narrative enriched with cinema-therapy insights and multimedia storytelling. This memoir—a heartfelt tribute to Barbara’s legacy—offers a roadmap for anyone who has faced rejection for being true to themselves. Complete with a “first aid kit” for confronting homophobia, the book echoes Barbara’s “Secrets are to sickness as openness is to wholeness.”
David Johnson, dedicated to preserving his mother’s enduring legacy through The Official Barbara Johnson Library website, ensures her works remain accessible while sharing his expertise in behavior modification psychotherapy on his YouTube channel, David – The Cinema-Therapist.
A Past Exalted Ruler of the Palm Springs Elks Lodge and a recent Masonic initiate, David resides in the Palm Springs area of Southern California. He remains devoted to his community and professional passions, inspiring others on their own journeys of reconciliation and healing.
Proceeds from this book support organizations dedicated to the care and feeding of widows, orphans, and those in need, including Samaritan’s Purse, the International Fellowship of Christians and Jews, and the Los Angeles Fred Jordan Rescue Mission.
From the Land of Homophobia to the Shores of Amazing Grace, this is the gripping story of David Johnson and his mother, beloved author Barbara Johnson. In 1975, David’s revelation of homosexuality shattered their evangelical Christian world, triggering a violent confrontation and years of estrangement.
Through heartbreak and healing, their journey reveals the transformative power of love, as grace replaces judgment and truth dissolves fear. Barbara’s groundbreaking work on homophobia, grief, and loss reached millions through her best-selling books, Spatula Ministries, and national speaking engagements with Women of Faith.
When All Else Fails, Blame Your Mother! is a powerful, evocative narrative enriched with cinema-therapy insights and multimedia storytelling. This memoir—a heartfelt tribute to Barbara’s legacy—offers a roadmap for anyone who has faced rejection for being true to themselves. Complete with a “first aid kit” for confronting homophobia, the book echoes Barbara’s “Secrets are to sickness as openness is to wholeness.”
David Johnson, dedicated to preserving his mother’s enduring legacy through The Official Barbara Johnson Library website, ensures her works remain accessible while sharing his expertise in behavior modification psychotherapy on his YouTube channel, David – The Cinema-Therapist.
A Past Exalted Ruler of the Palm Springs Elks Lodge and a recent Masonic initiate, David resides in the Palm Springs area of Southern California. He remains devoted to his community and professional passions, inspiring others on their own journeys of reconciliation and healing.
Proceeds from this book support organizations dedicated to the care and feeding of widows, orphans, and those in need, including Samaritan’s Purse, the International Fellowship of Christians and Jews, and the Los Angeles Fred Jordan Rescue Mission.
355 pages, Kindle Edition
Published June 16, 2025
About the author
David Johnson
692 books32 followersThere is more than one author by this name in the Goodreads data base. For the author of the Tucker series, see https://www.goodreads.com/author/show...
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
October 4, 2025
It Was Not A Favorite
I had some difficulty with this one -- but it had nothing to do with sexuality . In fact, one of my best friends is gay. I feel that certain topics are no one else's business and right or wrong is between the person and God. I have no business making that decision for anyone else!
This book is about a young man growing up in a dysfunctional family (seems to be going around lol) who seems like an all around decent human, one of the good guys. He is also a creative person interested in music, writing, psychology and travel to name a few. He feels compelled to reveal his sexual identity to his family and although his mom wrote part of this book, and had her own Christian ministry with books she has written ( the family is of the Christian faith), I had a difficult time with the mother going off the "deep end", judging her son, disowning him for a while, more interested in keeping up appearances , considering suicide and homicide and puts her nose into places it doesn't belong -- these things aren't Christlike. For his own safety, David wasn't devastated when she kicked him out. To me, that is just plain uncalled for and cruel. What ever happened to " hate the sin but love the sinner?" I DO understand it was a shock to her but wow, reign it in a little bit was my thought! She did pass away and I feel badly about that but to omit things or lie about them in your books isn't okay. Neither is threatening your son and his lover and trying to sabotage their educational and vocational success! I would not have tolerated that at all!
I found very few spelling or grammar errors which was great. But I found it somewhat difficult to follow who was speaking on certain parts because there was no identifying such as separating Mom's writing from David's by saying something like "Barbara's Thoughts" or even a symbol or alternating chapters.
It just didn't keep me engaged unfortunately. Others may feel differently!
I had some difficulty with this one -- but it had nothing to do with sexuality . In fact, one of my best friends is gay. I feel that certain topics are no one else's business and right or wrong is between the person and God. I have no business making that decision for anyone else!
This book is about a young man growing up in a dysfunctional family (seems to be going around lol) who seems like an all around decent human, one of the good guys. He is also a creative person interested in music, writing, psychology and travel to name a few. He feels compelled to reveal his sexual identity to his family and although his mom wrote part of this book, and had her own Christian ministry with books she has written ( the family is of the Christian faith), I had a difficult time with the mother going off the "deep end", judging her son, disowning him for a while, more interested in keeping up appearances , considering suicide and homicide and puts her nose into places it doesn't belong -- these things aren't Christlike. For his own safety, David wasn't devastated when she kicked him out. To me, that is just plain uncalled for and cruel. What ever happened to " hate the sin but love the sinner?" I DO understand it was a shock to her but wow, reign it in a little bit was my thought! She did pass away and I feel badly about that but to omit things or lie about them in your books isn't okay. Neither is threatening your son and his lover and trying to sabotage their educational and vocational success! I would not have tolerated that at all!
I found very few spelling or grammar errors which was great. But I found it somewhat difficult to follow who was speaking on certain parts because there was no identifying such as separating Mom's writing from David's by saying something like "Barbara's Thoughts" or even a symbol or alternating chapters.
It just didn't keep me engaged unfortunately. Others may feel differently!
August 22, 2026
Wow! Is my first impression after finishing this book. David Johnson writes with obvious love and respect for his mother, Barbara Johnson. He honors the life she led writing encouraging and humorous books of faith and founding the Spatula Ministries. This book offers insights into his mother's life and the relationship they had, that probably wouldn't have been accepted thirty plus years ago. While lifting the blanket of dysfunction, he stays true to his mother's work and memory, while giving practical tools that he has used in his life, and encourages others to use as well. His resume of education, work history, and life experiences gives him a solid foundation on which to reach others. David Johnson's book offers an abundance of resources and links such as music and movies for those seeking answers and encouragement. As I read, I found myself dissecting my own life and the challenges I've faced. The biggest take-away for me after reading, is the attitude that David Johnson applies in his life. The one I strive for and the verse I have on my wall as a reminder to not become embittered with life or people.
Ephesians 4:32
New American Standard Bible 1995
32 Be kind to one another, tender-hearted, forgiving each other, just as God in Christ also has forgiven you.
Thank you for a great book, David Johnson!
Ephesians 4:32
New American Standard Bible 1995
32 Be kind to one another, tender-hearted, forgiving each other, just as God in Christ also has forgiven you.
Thank you for a great book, David Johnson!
August 30, 2026
Good story, pertinent subject in today’s world, but the book lacked focus. Part family analysis, part movie review, part tell-all, it meanders through its tale of a young gay man brought up in an evangelical Christian home, in a family with plenty of its own dysfunctional history. I had trouble following the narrative at times; it was all over the place. Could have benefited from some solid editing. That being said, David demonstrates a positive outlook, love and honor for his mother, and sincere desire to help others.
Major takeaway: that the sins of the fathers are indeed visited on their children.
Major takeaway: that the sins of the fathers are indeed visited on their children.
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews