Click to read our Cover Story.
WE LOVE LISTS!
FULL OF SURPRISES—This week, we introduce Marilyn McEntyre, a scholar, spiritual guide and author who has published a wonderful guidebook on making lists as a spiritual practice. The book is titled simply, Make a List: How a simple practice can change our lives and open our hearts. In particular, Marilyn focuses on how making lists can reduce anxiety—and also can open new creative possibilities in our lives. “A list is a way of making sense of things. But there also is such freedom in list making,” she says. Plus, this cover story about Marilyn’s new book inspired us to look back over the past 11 years of ReadTheSpirit magazine. We’ve searched through our 10,000-plus columns and offer 10 Great Lists to Explore. In that list, we even remind readers of a popular gem from 2007: The Bible or the Bard? There’s a lot to explore—and share with friends—this week. Enjoy!
Click to read our column on the Joy of Epigraphs.
WHAT’S IN AN EPIGRAPH? You might not recognize the term, but you certainly have read plenty of epigraphs—at the start of favorite books over the years. In 2018, we’re finding this traditional publishing style is more popular than ever. Over at our Front Edge Publishing website, this week, David Crumm writes, 10 Reasons We Like Epigraphs. We thought that this was an appropriate way to further celebrate lists this week.
Want to learn more about publishing today? Please, share this home address with friends: www.FrontEdgePublishing.com
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Click to read our holiday story.
Holidays
BIRTHDAY OF HAILE SELASSIE—Rastafari around the world—estimated to number 700,000 to 1 million—hold Nyabingi drumming sessions and celebrate the birthday anniversary of Haile Selassie I.
PIONEER DAY—Across the state of Utah and in Mormon communities worldwide, Pioneer Day marks the entry of Brigham Young and the first group of Mormon pioneers into Salt Lake Valley. Parades, fireworks, rodeos, carnivals and more accompany festivals in Utah—and also in Colorado, New Mexico, Hawaii and Canada.
Want to see all the holidays? www.InterfaithHolidays.com
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FAITH & FILM
Click to learn about the July Journal.
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:
- HENRY DAVID THOREAU—Subtitled “Surveyor of the Soul,” Ed highly recommends this new documentary. His review includes a link to learn more about regional screenings or buying a copy of the DVD. (5 out of 5 stars) Then, Ed also added this column encouraging Thoreau fans to help with promoting the film.
- THE CATCHER WAS A SPY—This is an amazing-but-true story of baseball player Moe Berg, who served as a real-life spy for the U.S. (4 stars)
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Click to read Ed’s review of Mary Shelley.
MARY SHELLEY—Haifaa Al Mansour, the director of the critically acclaimed movie Wadjda about a little girl in Saudi Arabia, is back with an impressive historical drama about the author if Frankenstein. (4.5 stars)
- INCREDIBLES 2—This sequel is delightful, Ed writes, giving the film 5 stars. Ed tells us: The opening sequence is so exciting that everyone in the family—from tots to grandparents—will be thrilled.
- JURASSIC WORLD: FALLEN KINGDOM—But, this sequel is only so-so. This film’s fast pace doesn’t leave much time for character development. (3.5 stars)
- ON CHESIL BEACH—The film features wonderful performances by a fine cast, especially the radiant Saoirse Ronan who has become a world-class actress. (4 stars)
- WADJDA—This week, Ed reaches back a few years to celebrate the amazing movie Wadjda, the first feature filmed entirely in Saudi Arabia—and with a feminist theme! This movie is a delight and well worth seeking out on DVD, Blu-ray or streaming. (5 stars)
- FIRST REFORMED—Director/writer Paul Schrader’s latest film tackles some big issues—theological and environmental—and provides Ethan Hawke with perhaps his greatest role. (5 stars)
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