A SPIRITUAL STRUGGLE FOR MILLIONS
COVER STORY—Our regular readers are familiar with the inspirational writing of Greg Garrett, who we have featured in this magazine many times over the years. This week, Greg talks about his life-long experience of depression.
A decade ago, Greg first published a spiritual memoir about the depths of his struggle with this common and deeply troubling disorder. Now, he has extensively updated that memoir and talks with us about depression from the perspective of someone who has survived its most lethal challenges. He also highlights the difficulty of getting people to talk about this problem, a gap that can leave sufferers feeling even more isolated. Finally, Greg talks about the role religious communities can play in recovery. This is an interview you’ll want to read and, almost certainly, will want to share with a friend.
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LOSSES: Where do you find delight?
IT ISN’T EASY—We’re facing so many losses this year, aren’t we? That’s the question raised by popular columnist and author Benjamin Pratt this week. We might experience these losses from the process of aging—but that’s not all to this little story. Plus, Ben welcomes readers to share this column with others to spark discussion. Got a class or small group that enjoys discussing questions like this? You’re free to print out this column and pass it around.
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HOLIDAYS & FESTIVALS
CHECK OUT ALL OF 2017’s SPECIAL DAYS—It’s as simple as visiting www.InterfaithHolidays.org
ONE EASTER—This is one of the unusual years when the Eastern and Western branches of Christianity converge on a single date for Easter: April 16. Currently, the entire Christian world is in the midst of Lent.
ST. PATRICK’S DAY—Oh my! What’s a good Irish Catholic to do this year as St. Patrick’s Day falls on a Friday in Lent! To fast or not to fast? That’s just one of the holiday-related questions Stephanie Fenton answers in her salute to the Irish saint. And, yes, she’s also got links to recipes if you’re planning a festive meal. Her column also includes links to Patrick’s most famous prayer: The Breastplate.
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God Signs
SUZY FARBMAN—Each week, Suzy brings us a story about the remarkable ways our lives intertwine—sometimes in the way we remember loved ones we have lost. This week, she tells the story of a woman who fondly remembered her father through a clunk on the head. No kidding. What helps you to recall those you’ve lost?
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Launching a New Jesus Movement
500 YEARS AFTER LUTHER—Meet Dave Schmelzer, head of a daring new religious movement launching nationwide this spring: Blue Ocean Faith. Plus, we’ve got easy links to Amazon and Barnes & Noble if you want to learn more about this launch.
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FILM, FAITH
& POPULAR CULTURE
ED McNULTY—Enjoy all of the free resources from Ed McNulty’s faith-and-film website: VisualParables.org. Among Ed’s latest free movie reviews are:
- THE SHACK—Ed explains why he gives this controversial Christian film 4.5 out of 5 stars. There are some redeeming moments in the movie, he says
- TONI ERDMANN—Ed gives this Oscar-nominated foreign film 4.5 stars.
- THE RED TURTLE—This French-Belgian-Japanese animated film probably will appeal more to adults than children. (5 stars)
- THE SALESMAN—Ed gives the Oscar-winning Iranian film 5 stars.
- I AM NOT YOUR NEGRO—SILENCE—Ed says James Baldwin’s message is as prophetic today as it was half a century ago. He urges viewers to see this film and gives it 5 stars.
- SPLIT—M. Night Shyamalan gives us a bizarre tale in which a kidnapper has 23 personalities. (4 stars)
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