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.

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.

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.

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

Click on this movie still to read Ed McNulty’s review of Part 1 of Martin Doblmeier’s inspiring documentary, “Sabbath.”

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.”