‘In these Pages, You Will Meet Heroes’

In the pages of Blessed are the Peacemakers, you will meet more than 100 heroes, but most of them are not the kind of heroes our culture celebrates for muscle, beauty and wealth. These are peacemakers—and the world needs to hear their stories now more than ever.

That’s why our publishing house has just released an inexpensive, easy-to-carry eBook edition of the Rev. Daniel L. Buttry’s international collection of real-life stories. Whether you prefer Kindle or an Apple tablet—or you’ve never read an eBook before—we’ve got easy links for you to pick up a copy of this remarkable book that you can read anywhere. If you don’t have a dedicated e-reading device, there’s a free app for your smartphone to enjoy reading right now.

Profiles include many famous names, including Gandhi and Bono of the band U2. But this volume is packed with stories about men and women who you’ll be discovering for the first time. Although he is based in the United States, Buttry’s stories takes us across Europe, Asia, Africa and Latin America as well.

Buttry calls himself a “peace warrior” after many years of circling our planet to assist grassroots peace movements on behalf of American Baptist Churches (the denomination that proudly counts the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. among its past members).

Do you enjoy a little inspirational reading each day? Get this new eBook edition and you’ll have real-life inspiration as close as the phone in your pocket. Our Cover Story has all the links you need to choose an eBook that will load easily on your devices. You could be reading these stories within minutes!

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Martin Davis:
‘The Letter’

KNITTING RICH NEW BONDS—This week, we welcome back the journalist Martin Davis, whose occasional columns are charting the spiritual lives of millions of American families—through true stories from the everyday world around him. Martin debuted in December with memorable images from his family’s holiday observances. This week, Martin writes about another common experience—writing a letter to a loved one who is far away. In this case, his son dove into the rigorous Marine Corps training at Parris Island. Please, welcome Martin and share his column with friends who will enjoy it, too.

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HOLIDAYS & FESTIVALS

ARE YOU READY FOR LENT?

COMING SOON TO EAST AND WEST—Within three weeks, Christians around the world will be observing the Lenten season of reflection that leads to Easter. Western Christians—the majority of Christians in the U.S.—begin with Ash Wednesday on March 6. Holidays columnist Stephanie Fenton takes a look at Ash Wednesday, including news items about the popularity of Lent in 2019. Did you know that Lent is still the hottest season in the American seafood industry?

AND—Stephanie’s column also has a recommendation of our popular book for the season, Our Lent: Things We Carry. 

THEN—Eastern Christians—perhaps better known as the “Orthodox”—begin their Fast of Great Lent with Clean Monday on March 10. Stephanie has that story as well, including recipes for the traditional, unleavened lagna bread.

AND, FREE FROM AMY JULIA BECKER

A GUIDE FOR LENT—In December, our magazine published high praise for author Amy Julia Becker’s new book, White Picket Fences: Turning Toward Love in a World Divided by Privilege. In our profile of Amy, we said this about her book:

The heart and soul of this book is the way Amy Julia describes—in the midst of ordinary family life—how she reaches startling moments of spiritual awareness about the world’s unjust divisions. She describes this through events that any parent will recognize as absolutely true. What’s so helpful about her memoir is the way she regards these moments as doorways. 

Now—just in time for Lent—she is offering a free Lenten Discussion Guide to her new book. You’ll want to check out her website for this offering, because she has some great ideas that can help you prepare for such an experience. Then, you’ll find options: a One-Time guide, a Three-Time guide as well as the new Lenten guide. Well done, Amy Julia! (If you’re among the many authors who regularly read our online magazine for fresh ideas—definitely take a look at the sophisticated and helpful way she makes this offer on her website.)

Want to see all the upcoming Holidays & Festivals? For quick reference, you can easily find Stephanie’s master calendar by going to—www.InterfaithHolidays.com

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The Most Interesting Muslim Man in the World

HAVING FUN WITH VIDEO—In this week’s Front Edge Publishing column, we celebrate the creativity of author Victor Begg, who has taken our advice about spreading awareness of his new book, Our Muslim Neighbors, by video. He created a basic promo video—then he and his talented family simply had fun with one of the popular video memes. We’ve got the video clip for you to judge for yourself. No question: He’s definitely an interesting man! Take a look. You’ll want to think about making some short videos yourself.

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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.

Among Ed’s free reviews and columns are:

• HIDING IN PLAIN SIGHT—Ed reaches back to 2012 for this indie movie about the threat of homelessness, even for a middle-class family. It’s an engaging story and wonderful for sparking a discussion. Best of all? It’s free to stream on Amazon and Ed provides an easy link with his review.
• THE SAINT OF FORT WASHINGTON—Ed writes about this 1993 drama: This “is the most moving dramatization of the plight of the homeless that I have seen.” The film stars Danny Glover and Matt Dillon as two down-and-out New Yorkers. (5-stars) Also available free to stream on Amazon Prime with a link at the top of Ed’s review.
• CALM AT SEA—Ed’s also increasing his coverage of foreign films we all may have overlooked in recent years. He brings us a review, this week, of the 2011 German-made World War II drama Calm at Sea. And, once again, the movie free to stream on Amazon-Prime, so Ed provides an easy link with his review.
• THEY SHALL NOT GROW OLD—Don’t miss this remarkable film in theaters, produced to mark the centennial of the end of World War I. Ed writes: “This is World War One coverage you have never seen before! Peter Jackson does not give us a history lesson—no list of dates, battles, generals and such. Instead, he immerses us in the war through images and voices—lots of photographs and drawings as well as film—so that we see the war from the perspective of the soldiers in the trenches.”
• STAN AND OLLIE—It’s terrific, Ed says. Focusing on the later years of the comedy duo’s career, the film is packed with funny business—as well as a moving story of two friends who truly came to love each other.
• A DOG’S WAY HOME—Yes, you’ll be misty-eyed as you leave the theater! It’s a dog movie guaranteed to tug at your heartstrings. Ed gives it 4 out of 5 stars.
• IO—The new Netflix post-apocalyptic drama is slow compared with Hollywood blockbusters of the past, Ed writes, but it is a very thoughtful story, nevertheless. (4 stars)
• THE UPSIDE—At the same time Green Book is stacking up praise, here’s another movie about black and white men learning to appreciate each other in an unlikely arrangement. Co-stars Kevin Hart and Bryan Cranston. (4 stars)
• IF BEALE STREET COULD TALK—Ed gives this movie 5 stars and writes, “Based on James Baldwin’s acclaimed 1974 novel of the same name, Barry Jenkins’ film is a paean to love set in a society permeated by ugly prejudice and injustice.”
• ROMA—Ed also gives 5 stars to this widely praised film set in Mexico. He writes, “This is one of those great films that will leave viewers with a great many things to think about. … And thanks to Netflix, even those lacking access to an arthouse theater can gather and watch it at home” or with friends.
• BUMBLEBEE—It’s the best Transformer movie ever made! That’s Ed’s verdict, giving this popular family film 5 stars.
• ON THE BASIS OF SEX—Ed gives this new biopic 5 out of 5 stars and urges readers to go see this story of Ruth Bader Ginsberg’s early life.

 

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