You may have a friend with PTSD and not even know it

COVER STORY—While the subject is somber, the good news in David W. Peters’ new book, Post-Traumatic Jesus, is good news, indeed. Peters served as a Marine and an Army chaplain and now serves a congregation in Texas that specializes in welcoming people who have experienced trauma. He has a lot of helpful insights to share with us about how congregations can be healing communities for the millions of Americans suffering the effects of trauma.

Please read our cover story and then share it with friends in your community to spark healthy discussion.

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And Speaking of Healing—

‘Churches should heal, not perpetuate, divisive culture’

ALSO FROM TEXAS—The headline on this news item comes from Dallas Morning News Commentary Editor Ryan Sanders, writing about the importance of the Rev. Dr. George A. Mason’s new book, The Word Made Fresh. Ryan interviewed George in a fascinating Q&A format that you can enjoy on the Morning News’ website. (Note: The Morning News has a paywall that only allows limited access, but if you have not visited the site before, you should be able to read this inspiring conversation between Ryan and George.)

‘A surprising outpouring of support’

THEN, REPORTING FROM A MAJOR BAPTIST GATHERING IN ATLANTA—Several correspondents helped our staff to assemble this inspiring report on the overwhelming support for the work of George Mason and all the other Baptist leaders who have supported LGBTQ inclusion in recent years. This is a significant religion-news story that flew under the radar of major U.S. newspapers in the wake of the Southern Baptist Convention’s decision to double-down on gender exclusion. Please, take a moment to share this particular news story right now, because such news will encourage others who care about diversity.

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Reminders of Hope From our authors—

Bill Tammeus

Everyday Miracles

AFTER THE TITAN IMPLOSION TRAGEDY, Bill Tammeus has been pondering how even a disaster like this loss of life beneath the seas can remind us of the importance of gratitude and mindfulness in our daily living. It’s another example of Bill’s inspiring, thought-provoking style that has been popular with readers for many decades. 

And, if you do read that column, you will find two fascinating news items at the end of the main column: One is about the thousands of congregations leaving the United Methodist Church; and the other is about an ill-considered Missouri law that now encourages teaching the Bible in public schools. Thanks Bill for all your reporting! And, of course, if you have not done so already, please get a copy of Bill’s book Love, Loss and Endurance, especially because Amazon has the hardcover on sale this week.

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Howard Brown & Joanna Tress

‘Embrace Your Bliss’

EACH WEEK, Howard Brown’s mission is spreading sunshine through thoughtful podcasts with guests from a wide range of disciplines. If you want a boost, this week, please stop by Howard’s home online and listen to his conversation with Joanna Tress on “Embrace Your Bliss.” If you enjoy that podcast, you’ll find many more on Howard’s home page. And, if you want to enjoy the mother lode of Howard’s inspiring stories, pick up your copy of his memoir Shining Brightly from Amazon.

 

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Holidays & Milestones

Near Utah this Summer? Check out Pioneer Day

THIS YEAR, if you hope to catch some of the most popular Pioneer Day themed events, you will need to act now! There’s a long tradition in Utah of spreading public events throughout the weeks leading up to Pioneer Day, as Holidays & Festivals columnist Stephanie Fenton explains.

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Cue the lights and dancers—Obon is coming

STEPHANIE FENTON reports on the colorful Obon festivals that will unfold this summer in many parts of the world.

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WANT TO SEE ALL OF THE UPCOMING HOLIDAYS & FESTIVALS?—It’s easy to find our annual calendar of global observances. Just remember the web address: InterfaithHolidays.com

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Faith & Film

ED McNULTY, for decades, has published reviews, magazine articles and books exploring connections between faith and film. Most of his work is freely published. Ed supports his work by selling the Visual Parables Journal, a monthly magazine packed with discussion guides to films. This resource is used coast-to-coast by individuals who love the movies and by educators, clergy and small-group leaders.

Here are some of Ed’s most recent free reviews and columns:

• SILO—Ed writes, “This ten-part series created by Graham Yost is based on a series of books by Hugh Howey. It is so bingeworthy that I can hardly wait for Season Two to begin.”
• THE BLACKENING—”Fans of horror films know that in most such films it is the rare Black character who dies, if not first, then early on.”
• INDIANA JONES—”Our favorite archaeologist is back for his fifth and last over the top adventure.“
• PAST LIVES—”Writer-director Celine Song leaves the fantasy world of The Wheel of Time, which she scripted, to give us a heart-warming story set in the present world of the romantic, yet pragmatic.”
• ELEMENTAL—Ed writes, “Although far short of Wall-E and such, Elemental is still enjoyable as a Romero & Juliett love story and an immigrants-make-good tale.”
• CLOWN IN KABUL—Ed reaches back to 2002 to recommend this Italian documentary about Dr. Patch Adams’ trip to Afghanistan in 2002.
• THE CAPTAIN—Near the end of World War II, a German soldier is trying to flee from his army when he discovers a captain’s uniform that changes his life.
• IT AIN’T OVER—”Yogi Berra’s famous quotations and media celebrity have overshadowed his other amazing accomplishments—and it is this which director Sean Mullin and executive producer Lindsay Berra set out to rectify in this delightful documentary.”
• ARE YOU THERE GOD? IT’S ME, MARGARET—”The film, directed and written by Kelly Fremon Craig, follows the novel very faithfully, with every member of the excellent cast contributing to the humor and insights.”

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‘Building a house united’

THIS WEEK, a national nonprofit dedicated to “building a house united,” called Braver Angels, is holding a four-day national conference in Gettysburg, hoping that the spirit of Abraham Lincoln can help inspire healthy dialogue between conservative and liberal activists.  Lincoln scholar Duncan Newcomer is playing a role through selling copies of his book, 30 Days with Abraham Lincoln: Quiet Fire. Duncan also organized this week’s special issue of ReadTheSpirit magazine, inviting writers to contribute their reflections on Lincoln’s legacy.

Our special issue starts with Duncan’s introduction to the series and to the work of Braver Angels. Please begin with that column as a guide to everything else our writers have contributed for this important week. And, if you find these columns helpful and inspiring, please take a moment to share them with friends via social media and email. That small step makes a big difference in spreading this good news in our troubled world.

Easy navigation through this entire series

It’s easy to enjoy all the inspiring work from these writers, this week.

If you start with Duncan’s introductory column, linked above, then you will find links to all of the other columns. Whatever you choose to read next, you will find links to the other new columns at the bottom of each page. To ensure easy navigation, we also are duplicating those series links right here on our home page, as well:

Lincoln scholar Duncan Newcomer’s introduction to this series includes a salute to Braver Angels, a nationwide nonprofit dedicated to de-polarizing American politics that is gathering from across the country for a major conference at Gettysburg this week.

Duncan also writes about: What were Lincoln’s hopes for our nation?

And, he explores: What were Lincoln’s core values?

Then, journalist and author Bill Tammeus writes about how Abraham Lincoln’s Gettysburg Address still calls us to reach out to one another.

Journalist and author Martin Davis asks: Are our battle-scarred American roads capable of carrying us toward unity?

Author and leadership coach Larry Buxton writes about: Growing up and growing wise with Abraham Lincoln

Columnist and editor Judith Pratt recalls: Hearing our Civil War stories shared generation to generation.

Attorney and community activist Mark Jacobs writes about: How Lincoln’s astonishing resilience and perseverance inspires me today

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Holidays & Milestones

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Celebrating Independence Day

THIS YEAR, the number of Americans hitting the highways and the skies is expected to surpass the previous year as the pandemic fades as a national concern. But if your aim is fireworks, for example, you’ll want to check on local plans right now! Many public Fourth of July programs are scheduled well before the actual holiday.

WANT TO SEE ALL OF THE UPCOMING HOLIDAYS & FESTIVALS?—It’s easy to find our annual calendar of global observances. Just remember the web address: InterfaithHolidays.com

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Faith & Film

ED McNULTY, for decades, has published reviews, magazine articles and books exploring connections between faith and film. Most of his work is freely published. Ed supports his work by selling the Visual Parables Journal, a monthly magazine packed with discussion guides to films. This resource is used coast-to-coast by individuals who love the movies and by educators, clergy and small-group leaders.

Here are some of Ed’s most recent free reviews and columns:

• ELEMENTAL—Ed writes, “Although far short of Wall-E and such, Elemental is still enjoyable as a Romero & Juliett love story and an immigrants-make-good tale.”
• CLOWN IN KABUL—Ed reaches back to 2002 to recommend this Italian documentary about Dr. Patch Adams’ trip to Afghanistan in 2002.
• THE CAPTAIN—Near the end of World War II, a German soldier is trying to flee from his army when he discovers a captain’s uniform that changes his life.
• IT AIN’T OVER—”Yogi Berra’s famous quotations and media celebrity have overshadowed his other amazing accomplishments—and it is this which director Sean Mullin and executive producer Lindsay Berra set out to rectify in this delightful documentary.”
• ASTEROID CITY—Ed writes: “I have enjoyed most of Wes Anderson’s droll comedies, especially Moonrise Kingdom and Isle of Dogs. This time his satirical tale set in the desert town of Asteroid City left me a bit cold and nonplussed.”
• POTATO DREAMS OF AMERICA—”Writer/director Wes Hurley’s autobiographical dark comedy is about a young boy growing up during the last days of the USSR.”
• OTHER PEOPLE’S CHILDREN—”French writer director Rebecca Zlotowski puts a different spin on this rom-com tale of a woman falling in love with a divorced man who is co-parenting a little daughter.”
• ARE YOU THERE GOD? IT’S ME, MARGARET—”The film, directed and written by Kelly Fremon Craig, follows the novel very faithfully, with every member of the excellent cast contributing to the humor and insights, so that I think fans of the iconic book—it sold 90 million copies!—will agree that the long wait has been well worth it.”

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Enjoy our Mom to Mom Conversation about Daneen Akers’ beautiful new book

THIS WEEK, COVER STORY BEGINS: “Dear Mama God” The moment we see those three words on the cover of a big, colorful book, we know this is a book intended for children. But what may surprise you about this new book is that these pages contain the words of a child—specifically Daneen Akers’ daughter Lucy when she was aged 4-6.

This inspired us to prepare an unusual Cover Story for this week’s issue of our magazine, featuring a Mom to Mom conversation about this delightful new book. Please, enjoy our story and share it with friends—so that this wonderful new book may find its way into the hands of many parents who love reading with their young ones.

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And Speaking of Creative Ideas for Children—

Brenda Rosenberg helps to spread interfaith awareness through Girl Scouts

AUTHOR AND PEACE ACTIVIST BRENDA ROSENBERG gives us a photo-illustrated overview of a unique program in southeast Michigan in which Girl Scouts are working on a “My Promise, My Faith” program. Click on the photo or this link to read Brenda’s story, published courtesy of Michigan’s Jewish News.

AND—Wherever you are reading this around the world, you can learn much more about Brenda’s many years of work with young people on building interfaith understanding from a very early age. Her main book describing this process is Reuniting the Children of Abraham: The Sacred Story that Calls Jews, Christians and Muslims to Peace and is available in hardcover, paperback and Kindle editions via Amazon.

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More from Our Writers—

Join in the Fun with Laura Elizabeth

FIRST: THE ZIBBYMAG COVER REVEAL

Susan Stitt explains how and why our publishing house arranged to have the influential ZibbyMag produce our worldwide “cover reveal” for Laura’s new cozy mystery.

THEN: 3 WAYS YOU CAN JOIN THE FUN

David Crumm writes about several ways readers who love cozy mysteries can join in the fun right away, even before the book’s official launch date.

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Emily and Howard Brown

‘ARE YOU A HOPE MAKER?’

THAT’S A QUESTION raised both by Montana-based TV reporter Emily Brown and her father, the author and nationally known speaker and consultant Howard Brown.

Last week, we linked to Emily’s TV reporting on an especially heartbreaking loss in the movement to raise awareness of Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women (MMIW): the case of hit-and-run victim Mika Westwolf. We also linked to a photo gallery of the June march in Mika’s memory. This week, Mika’s family and friends are asking allies, wherever you may live, to add to the more than 26,000 signatures in an online petition calling for further investigation of Mika’s death.

ALSO THIS WEEK, Emily’s father—author Howard Brown—interviews the inspiring Jenny Mulks on his podcast about the question: Are you a hope maker?

To learn more about Emily, Howard and their remarkable family, order a copy of the memoir Shining Brightly from Amazon right now.

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George Mason and Tom Eggebeen

‘INVITING US TO CHOOSE WISELY’

THERE’S ARE SO MANY inspiring and thought-provoking passages in George A. Mason’s new book The Word Made Fresh that readers will come away with a whole lot of fresh ideas—and a challenge to “choose wisely” about the ways all of us can help to heal broken souls. That’s the judgment of popular Presbyterian pastor and writer Tom Eggebeen in a review Tom has posted on his website.

Care to jump over to Amazon and learn more? Please, check out the new book, which is launching in hardcover, paperback and Kindle editions on Tuesday, June 27, 2023.

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Holidays & Milestones

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Planning for Independence Day?

Better start before July 4.

THIS YEAR, the number of Americans hitting the highways and the skies is expected to surpass the previous year as the pandemic fades as a national concern. But if your aim is fireworks, for example, you’ll want to check right now! Many public Fourth of July programs are scheduled well before the actual holiday.

WANT TO SEE ALL OF THE UPCOMING HOLIDAYS & FESTIVALS?—It’s easy to find our annual calendar of global observances. Just remember the web address: InterfaithHolidays.com

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Faith & Film

ED McNULTY, for decades, has published reviews, magazine articles and books exploring connections between faith and film. Most of his work is freely published. Ed supports his work by selling the Visual Parables Journal, a monthly magazine packed with discussion guides to films. This resource is used coast-to-coast by individuals who love the movies and by educators, clergy and small-group leaders.

Here are some of Ed’s most recent free reviews and columns:

• IT AIN’T OVER—Ed says: “Yogi Berra’s famous quotations and media celebrity have overshadowed his other amazing accomplishments—and it is this which director Sean Mullin and executive producer Lindsay Berra set out to rectify in this delightful documentary.”
• ASTEROID CITY—Ed writes: “I have enjoyed most of Wes Anderson’s droll comedies, especially Moonrise Kingdom and Isle of Dogs. This time his satirical tale set in the desert town of Asteroid City left me a bit cold and nonplussed.”
• OTHER PEOPLE’S CHILDREN—”French writer director Rebecca Zlotowski puts a different spin on this rom-com tale of a woman falling in love with a divorced man who is co-parenting a little daughter.”
• MENDING THE LINE—”Director Joshua Caldwell and scriptwriter Stephen Camelio tell a familiar story—that of a wounded veteran needing more than just physical healing—but with a different twist.”
• POTATO DREAMS OF AMERICA—”Writer/director Wes Hurley’s autobiographical dark comedy is about a young boy growing up during the last days of the USSR.”
• OTHER PEOPLE’S CHILDREN—”French writer director Rebecca Zlotowski puts a different spin on this rom-com tale of a woman falling in love with a divorced man who is co-parenting a little daughter.”
• MAID—”This 10-episode series about an abused wife and mother has more heart and insights than a hundred super hero epics. The series is based on the memoir by Stephanie Land Maid: Hard Work, Low Pay, and a Mother’s Will to Survive.”
• TED LASSO, Season 3—Ed loves this popular TV series and now offers his own faith-and-film reflections on the series.
• SABBATH—Ed McNulty offers his review of Martin Doblmeier’s documentary Sabbath, starting with a detailed look at the first part of the national broadcast. For more on this inspiring documentary, you also may want to read our Cover Story interview with Martin, which is headlined: “Do you know it’s healthy to observe ‘Sabbath’?“
• ARE YOU THERE GOD? IT’S ME, MARGARET—”The film, directed and written by Kelly Fremon Craig, follows the novel very faithfully, with every member of the excellent cast contributing to the humor and insights, so that I think fans of the iconic book—it sold 90 million copies!—will agree that the long wait has been well worth it.”

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What’s cozy about a cozy?

Discovering ‘that feeling of home’

The island is home.

Those four words capture the feeling of the new cozy mystery series Laura Elizabeth is launching about the people who live on a little island in the Atlantic. The adventures begin with Book 1: All Is Now Lost, which now is available for pre-order from Amazon.

In this week’s cover story, we tell you all about this new novel, how to pre-order your copy, and we even share a special tip about getting the delicious recipe for the Toll House Cookie Pie that is featured in the novel. Plus, we share valuable links about vacation planning if you care to visit the real island on which this cozy series is based—and explain how to get in touch with Laura if your book club wants to discuss her novel.

Please, when you finish reading the article, share it with friends on social media and via email. They’ll be glad you shared this good news.

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Holidays & Milestones

‘It’s an Honor to be a Dad.’

THAT’S WHAT HOWARD BROWN SAYS as he starts a podcast tribute to fathers this week. Howard reminds us of how much we may have learned from our grandparents, our parents and then talks about the high hopes we share for our own children. In Howard’s case, that’s the “Miracle Girl” you see in the photo above. He explains why Emily truly is a miracle. In honor of Father’s Day, then, please enjoy this heart-warming reflection on lessons and values that, at our best, we can hope to pass along through our families.

And what happened to that little ‘Miracle Girl’?

EMILY BROWN GREW UP to become a journalist, including an internship writing for our ReadTheSpirit online magazine as she was learning her craft. Now, she reports for KPAX Channel 8 in western Montana where Emily is carrying on her family values—described by her father in his podcast (above) as including tikkun olam, trying to help heal our broken world. In June 2023, Emily is reporting for KPAX on the legacy of Mika Westwolf, a Native American woman who was hit and killed by a driver who fled the scene. Because of Emily’s reporting and a growing awareness of Mika’s case across that region of Montana, part of Mika’s legacy now is public activism to increase awareness of the plight of missing and murdered Native Americans and their families. Through this link, you will visit the KPAX website. Emily’s 3-minute report plays on that page (after a brief ad) and the text of her story also appears on that page.

Then, Emily covered a Native American-led walk in Mika’s memory, intended to raise awareness of her death and the ongoing problem of unresolved missing and murdered Native Americans.

• Here is a link to Emily’s coverage of the march, including text, photos and a 3-minute video.
• Then, here is a link to a KPAX photo gallery of the march.

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And more about Father’s Day

ABOUT THE HOLIDAY: Stephanie Fenton’s column is helpful reading! Her column tells the fascinating story of how long it took to reach a national consensus on this holiday. Plus,  Stephanie offers some links to some fun Father’s Day activities as well as great recipes for this special day.

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Observing Juneteenth

HOLIDAYS & FESTIVALS COLUMNIST STEPHANIE FENTON reports on the ever-expanding awareness of our national holiday Juneteenth in 2023. As usual, she’s got links to fascinating resources, including some great recipes.

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WANT TO SEE ALL OF THE UPCOMING HOLIDAYS & FESTIVALS?—It’s easy to find our annual calendar of global observances. Just remember the web address: InterfaithHolidays.com

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From Our Writers—

Larry Buxton

‘Travel is a Spiritual Act’

ARE YOU MOVING AROUND OUR WORLD THIS SUMMER? In his latest Leading with Spirit column, Larry reminds us to consider the spiritual dimensions of our movement. “These rhythms of security, trust, adventure, crisis, grace and friendship carry us throughout our lives.” Please enjoy Larry’s column and you may find its wisdom quite quotable this week—so consider sharing it with friends.

 

Bill Tammeus
and George Mason

‘Can mediocre preaching be improved? Maybe.’

AWARD-WINNING JOURNALIST BILL TAMMEUS has chronicled religious life in America for many decades, so he carries a great deal of authority in his judgment that George A. Mason’s new book, The Word Made Fresh, is “an occasion for celebration.” Here’s a link to Bill’s review of George’s book, which we hope will move you order a copy of The Word Made Fresh for yourself and perhaps a copy for friends in your congregation.

Interested in going right to Amazon for a copy? Here’s a direct link to the Amazon paperback page for The Word Made Fresh. This new book also is available in hardcover and a very reasonably priced Kindle edition. Like all of our books, it also is available from Barnes & Noble and bookstores around the world.

Interested in Bill’s book that includes a section on “unplugging extremism,” which is a timely concern shared both by Bill and George? Here’s a direct link to Bill’s book, Love, Loss and Endurance.

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Faith & Film

ED McNULTY, for decades, has published reviews, magazine articles and books exploring connections between faith and film. Most of his work is freely published. Ed supports his work by selling the Visual Parables Journal, a monthly magazine packed with discussion guides to films. This resource is used coast-to-coast by individuals who love the movies and by educators, clergy and small-group leaders.

Here are some of Ed’s most recent free reviews and columns:

• MENDING THE LINE—Ed McNulty writes: “Director Joshua Caldwell and scriptwriter Stephen Camelio tell a familiar story—that of a wounded veteran needing more than just physical healing—but with a different twist.”
• POTATO DREAMS OF AMERICA—”Writer/director Wes Hurley’s autobiographical dark comedy is about a young boy growing up during the last days of the USSR.”
• OTHER PEOPLE’S CHILDREN—”French writer director Rebecca Zlotowski puts a different spin on this rom-com tale of a woman falling in love with a divorced man who is co-parenting a little daughter.”
• MAID—”This 10-episode series about an abused wife and mother has more heart and insights than a hundred super hero epics. The series is based on the memoir by Stephanie Land Maid: Hard Work, Low Pay, and a Mother’s Will to Survive.”
• TED LASSO, Season 3—Ed loves this popular TV series and now offers his own faith-and-film reflections on the series.
• SABBATH—Ed McNulty offers his review of Martin Doblmeier’s documentary Sabbath, starting with a detailed look at the first part of the national broadcast. For more on this inspiring documentary, you also may want to read our Cover Story interview with Martin, which is headlined: “Do you know it’s healthy to observe ‘Sabbath’?“
• ARE YOU THERE GOD? IT’S ME, MARGARET—”The film, directed and written by Kelly Fremon Craig, follows the novel very faithfully, with every member of the excellent cast contributing to the humor and insights, so that I think fans of the iconic book—it sold 90 million copies!—will agree that the long wait has been well worth it.”

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Despite the world’s dangers, ultimately, ‘we all stand on human ground.’

COVER STORY: Readers who have been enjoying Greg Garrett’s moving and thought-provoking fiction and nonfiction through the years will not be surprised to learn that his dramatic new novel, Bastille Day, turns on one particular broadcast by a cynical TV reporter and one particular sermon by a compassionate pastor. These are worlds Greg has bridged in his long career as a media personality, theologian, scholar and author.

Please enjoy our cover-story interview with Greg in which we will take you to Paris, where Greg was poised for the launch of his exciting and inspiring new novel. In fact, Greg helped us illustrate this cover story with an array of colorful photos of locations from Bastille Day.

And, if you enjoy this story, please take a moment to share this story with friends via social media or email.

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From Our Writers—

Laura Elizabeth

Want to meet this cozy author?

COZY MYSTERY NOVELIST LAURA ELIZABETH has more than a dozen events already scheduled for the launch of Volume 1 of her new mystery series. Some are for private groups; many are open to the public. Especially if you might find yourself in Georgia or the Carolinas in coming months, please check out this listing of Laura’s events, so far.

Want more information about visiting the island that inspired Laura Elizabeth to create the fictionalized setting for her cozy series? We just learned that the Daufuskie Rental Group, which has a great vacation-oriented website, is going to be providing copies of Laura’s book to some of the first families to book accommodations on the island in coming months. Thank you Daufuskie Rental Group for supporting this creative project to entertain readers and shine a light on this wonderful, historic island!

We know you’ll enjoy this novel, so you could also preorder your copy right now from Amazon.

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Howard Brown

‘The story is the great equalizer’

THIS WEEK, Howard Brown introduces us to his own speaking coach Rina Rovinelli, founder of Speaker Slam.

They talk about how Rina got started as a speaking entrepreneur and how people can learn to become effective public speakers even if they are afraid of the idea of standing up in front of people.

“The story is the great equalizer,” Rina says in this podcast and that’s a theme we celebrate here at our publishing house as well.

You can listen to this latest podcast right now by clicking on this link to visit Howard’s own Shining Brightly website. (His podcast links are in the center of his home page.)

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Holidays & Milestones

Taking Steps Toward Father’s Day?

ARE YOU PLANNING FOR FATHER’S DAY? Stephanie Fenton’s column is helpful reading! Her column tells the fascinating story of how long it took to reach a national consensus on this holiday. Plus, as always, Stephanie offers some links to some fun Father’s Day activities as well as great recipes for this special day.

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Juneteenth

Celebrations are starting earlier in June

HOLIDAYS & FESTIVALS COLUMNIST STEPHANIE FENTON reports on the ever-expanding awareness of our national holiday Juneteenth in 2023. As usual, she’s got links to fascinating resources, including some great recipes.

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WANT TO SEE ALL OF THE UPCOMING HOLIDAYS & FESTIVALS?—It’s easy to find our annual calendar of global observances. Just remember the web address: InterfaithHolidays.com

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Faith & Film

ED McNULTY, for decades, has published reviews, magazine articles and books exploring connections between faith and film. Most of his work is freely published. Ed supports his work by selling the Visual Parables Journal, a monthly magazine packed with discussion guides to films. This resource is used coast-to-coast by individuals who love the movies and by educators, clergy and small-group leaders.

Here are some of Ed’s most recent free reviews and columns:

• MAID—Ed McNulty writes: “This 10-episode series about an abused wife and mother has more heart and insights than a hundred super hero epics. The series is based on the memoir by Stephanie Land Maid: Hard Work, Low Pay, and a Mother’s Will to Survive.”
• TED LASSO, Season 3—Ed loves this popular TV series and now offers his own faith-and-film reflections on the series.
• SABBATH—Ed McNulty offers his review of Martin Doblmeier’s documentary Sabbath, starting with a detailed look at the first part of the national broadcast. For more on this inspiring documentary, you also may want to read our Cover Story interview with Martin, which is headlined: “Do you know it’s healthy to observe ‘Sabbath’?“
• THE STARLING GIRL—”Writer and director Laurel Parmet explores faith, paternalism, and sex in this tale set in a fundamentalist Christian community in rural Kentucky.”
• THE LITTLE MERMAID—”Any questions I had about the wisdom of remaking the classic film that revived the flagging Disney studio back in 1989 were quickly dissipated when Halle Bailey appears as Ariel, the unsatisfied daughter of underseas King Triton (Javier Bardem).”
• MEMORIA—”Acheampong Weerasethakul, who often goes by the name of Joe, teams with Tilda Swinton to tease our minds with a most unusual cinematic experience.”
• ARE YOU THERE GOD? IT’S ME, MARGARET—”The film, directed and written by Kelly Fremon Craig, follows the novel very faithfully, with every member of the excellent cast contributing to the humor and insights, so that I think fans of the iconic book—it sold 90 million copies!—will agree that the long wait has been well worth it.”

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Does our headline sound pushy?

Well, consider what early readers are saying about this remarkable book

IN OUR COVER STORY THIS WEEK, we’re sharing some of the remarkable early praise for this milestone book: The Word Made Fresh, a collection of the best sermons by the Rev. Dr. George A. Mason. We’re pretty sure you’ll be surprised that these inspiring, inclusive and thought-provoking sermons came from a Baptist pastor preaching to a large church in Dallas, Texas, over the past 30 years. That’s what early readers are telling us.

Please, read this cover story and share a link to this story with friends via social media and email.

In addition to praise from early readers, you’ll find in this Cover Story some of George’s own strong opinions about the challenges of good preaching, today. What he has to say is likely to spark some discussion among churchgoers. And, in this same story, we discuss with George some of the huge challenges clergy are facing, today. Perhaps some of these challenges are true in your community.

That’s why we’re being “pushy” about suggesting readers buy a copy for themselves and a copy to give to their congregations.

In addition: Learn more about how this unique book was created. This week, our Front Edge Publishing column is a special report from the head of the Wilshire Baptist Church publishing team, Gail Brookshire, who writes about how her team was able to create and launch this book project within one year—a remarkable feat in publishing.

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From Our Writers—

Laura Elizabeth

Have you visited ‘The Island’ yet?

OUR FIRST COZY MYSTERY NOVELIST LAURA ELIZABETH has the welcome mat laid out for readers at her new website: www.TheIslandMysteries.com Plus, for first-time visitors there are fun “extras” available. Come on! We’re all thrilled to be launching our new cozy mystery imprint with Laura’s compelling world of island dwellers, including new arrival Carr who simply hopes to restart her life by opening a bookstore that serves up tea and friendship. We know you’ll enjoy this novel, so you could also preorder your copy right now from Amazon.

But the main destination we hope readers will visit this month? Head to that Island Mysteries website and get to know Laura and the delightfully scenic—and sometimes mysterious—real-life island she has transformed for this new series. And while you’re there, don’t miss the new shop she’s set up that offers beautiful photographs of the island and several island-related ornaments. Do you know what “tabby shells” are? There’s a lot to explore on this island.

 

 

Howard Brown

A Little Fun and a Little Practical Wisdom with Lee Silverstein and Linda Gross

THIS WEEK, Howard Brown serves up two podcasts that range from fun to serious spiritual and practical wisdom.

First, there’s Howard’s conversation with writer and cancer survivor Lee Silverstein. Professionally, Lee is known as a career management consultant, working with professional clients to chart their careers—but, at the same time, he is nationally known as a longtime survivor of Stage IV cancer. That part of his life pushes Lee—like Howard himself—to serve as a patient advocate and to share the hard-earned wisdom about his survival. One of the main lessons both Lee and Howard stress is that, as Howard puts it, “Cancer is a team sport!”

Second, there’s Howard’s conversation with UCLA researcher Linda Gross, talking about her research into the dating and relationship habits of men. In years of research, she conducted interviews with 20,000 men and this episode of Howard’s podcast is called “Why It’s Best to Date Like a Caveman.”

You can listen to both podcasts right here and then it’s easy to share that with friends, if you enjoy what you hear.

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Holidays & Milestones

Juneteenth

Celebrations are starting earlier in June

HOLIDAYS & FESTIVALS COLUMNIST STEPHANIE FENTON reports on the ever-expanding awareness of our national holiday Juneteenth in 2023. As usual, she’s got links to fascinating resources, including some great recipes.

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WANT TO SEE ALL OF THE UPCOMING HOLIDAYS & FESTIVALS?—It’s easy to find our annual calendar of global observances. Just remember the web address: InterfaithHolidays.com

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Faith & Film

ED McNULTY, for decades, has published reviews, magazine articles and books exploring connections between faith and film. Most of his work is freely published. Ed supports his work by selling the Visual Parables Journal, a monthly magazine packed with discussion guides to films. This resource is used coast-to-coast by individuals who love the movies and by educators, clergy and small-group leaders.

Here are some of Ed’s most recent free reviews and columns:

• SABBATH—Ed McNulty offers his review of Martin Doblmeier’s documentary Sabbath, starting with a detailed look at the first part of the national broadcast. For more on this inspiring documentary, you also may want to read our Cover Story interview with Martin, which is headlined: “Do you know it’s healthy to observe ‘Sabbath’?“
• THE STARLING GIRL—”Writer and director Laurel Parmet explores faith, paternalism, and sex in this tale set in a fundamentalist Christian community in rural Kentucky.”
• THE LITTLE MERMAID—”Any questions I had about the wisdom of remaking the classic film that revived the flagging Disney studio back in 1989 were quickly dissipated when Halle Bailey appears as Ariel, the unsatisfied daughter of underseas King Triton (Javier Bardem).”
• MEMORIA—”Acheampong Weerasethakul, who often goes by the name of Joe, teams with Tilda Swinton to tease our minds with a most unusual cinematic experience.”
• ARE YOU THERE GOD? IT’S ME, MARGARET—”The film, directed and written by Kelly Fremon Craig, follows the novel very faithfully, with every member of the excellent cast contributing to the humor and insights, so that I think fans of the iconic book—it sold 90 million copies!—will agree that the long wait has been well worth it.”
• THE MASTER GARDENER—Ed writes, “Knowing that this is a Paul Schrader movie, we expect that, as in his previous films such as First Reformed, redemption will be a major theme in the story. But it will not come with the simplicity found in a faith-based film, but with far darker overtones and twisted, complicated means.”
• AIR—(Streaming) “In director Ben Afleck’s fifth film, the race is a heated one—a commercial race between three sneaker shoe companies: Converse, Adidas, and Nike.”

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‘Sabbath’ debuts this week

COVER STORY—On June 1, filmmaker Martin Doblmeier is debuting his two-hour invitation to Sabbath on public television—at a time when millions of us are overwhelmed with pandemic anxiety, loss of loved ones and fears about the future of our country and our planet’s resources. We all wonder if we’re running out of time.

“Time is our only non-renewable resource,” J. Dana Trent—a pastor, scholar and author—tells us early in this new documentary. Because the film is debuting on public TV stations nationwide starting on June 1, Dana and Martin talked with ReadTheSpirit in a Zoom interview this week.

This Cover Story includes links to view the film immediately online, plus links to educational resource materials and a discussion guide. Please share this link with friends who might be interested in viewing the film with you.

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Holidays & Milestones

Memorial Day

Howard Brown on Memorial Day Memories:
How do our memories shape our lives today?

AUTHOR HOWARD BROWN shares a fascinating story about his grandfather who served with U.S. forces in the liberation of Italy during World War II—and Howard asks a thought-provoking question about how our memories shape our approach to our communities, today.

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Resources for a Memorable Weekend

HOLIDAYS & FESTIVALS COLUMNIST STEPHANIE FENTON reports on the many ways families are celebrating this annual milestone, including helpful links to more than 200 recipes and ideas for family activities this holiday weekend.

In her column, Stephanie Fenton also mentions Pulitzer-Prize-winning Yale Historian David Blight, who has shared his research into the roots of American Memorial Day via PBS documentaries, books and magazines, rewriting our national memories of this observance to honor the courageous former slaves who first decided to honor our Civil War dead. We originally published this story in 2022, and thousands of readers continue to re-read this account of Blight’s work.

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WANT TO SEE ALL OF THE UPCOMING HOLIDAYS & FESTIVALS?—It’s easy to find our annual calendar of global observances. Just remember the web address: InterfaithHolidays.com

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Faith & Film

ED McNULTY, for decades, has published reviews, magazine articles and books exploring connections between faith and film. Most of his work is freely published. Ed supports his work by selling the Visual Parables Journal, a monthly magazine packed with discussion guides to films. This resource is used coast-to-coast by individuals who love the movies and by educators, clergy and small-group leaders.

Here are some of Ed’s most recent free reviews and columns:

• THE MASTER GARDENER—Ed writes, “Knowing that this is a Paul Schrader movie, we expect that, as in his previous films such as First Reformed, redemption will be a major theme in the story. But it will not come with the simplicity found in a faith-based film, but with far darker overtones and twisted, complicated means.”
• AIR—(Streaming) “In director Ben Afleck’s fifth film, the race is a heated one—a commercial race between three sneaker shoe companies: Converse, Adidas, and Nike.”
• LET ME HAVE MY SON—(In theaters) “Writer/director Cristobal Kruson’s newest film is a fictionalized story of his own spiritual journey that centers on his son’s descent into mental illness.”
• ON A WING AND A PRAYER—(Streaming on Amazon) “Sean McNamara’s film is based on a true story in which a seasoned pilot of a private twin-engined plane suffers a fatal heart attack.”
• THE LOST KING—(In theaters) “That truth is sometimes more bizarre than fiction is well demonstrated in Director Stephen Frears latest film, a historical detective story.”
• OPERATION MINCEMEAT—(Streaming on Netflix) “For those of us who missed 1956’s The Man Who Never Was, Netflix’s current film will introduce us to one of the great deceptions of WWII.”

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