AN ‘INDIANA JONES’ MOMENT
Click this image to read our story about the Prayer Wheel, based on an interview with author Jana Riess.
COVER STORY—Leading Christian writers and teachers are comparing the re-discovery of the 1,000-year-old Prayer Wheel to an Indiana Jones moment. More seriously, they are likening this ancient spiritual discipline to the labyrinth, an idea that resurfaced in recent decades after it had been forgotten by church leaders for centuries. This week, David Crumm interviews Jana Riess, one of three top writers who spent more than a year exploring this mysterious find. If you saw international headlines about the Prayer Wheel, which was found in a medieval illuminated book of Gospels a couple of years ago, you will recall that press reports described the hand-drawn chart as indecipherable. This trio first translated the original Latin phrases into English. Then, they have devised a day-by-day method for using the Prayer Wheel to guide our prayers—all focused on biblical passages about the life of Jesus and spiritual gifts.
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Click this photo to read our Passover story.
HOLIDAYS CONVERGE THIS YEAR
PASSOVER—Start with this overview by Holidays columnist Stephanie Fenton, who explains the background of this festival that is the most widely observed Jewish tradition each year. Over the past decade, our online magazine has published more than 100 Passover-themed stories and we are recommending some of our most popular holiday reading:
Debra Darvick shares Passover reflections from her book This Jewish Life.
Our Feed The Spirit columns, over the years, have published delicious Passover stories including tasty recipes. Here’s a story that includes Vegetable Kugel you can make at home. And here’s a column with a great recipe for potato gnocchi, a preparation that can be made kosher for Passover.
Fanny Neuda’s Passover prayer was written more than 150 years ago and was recovered by poet Dinah Berland—and Dinah gave us permission to publish that prayer 10 years ago! Since we first published that text, thousands of readers around the world have read that prayer in our pages.
Rabbi Bob Alper is famous coast to coast as the rabbi who does clean standup routines—and often has appeared on stage with comedians who are Christian and Muslim to promote interfaith understanding. Here’s one of our most popular Bob Alper columns about the stories he tells in Life Doesn’t Get Any Better Than This.
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AND HAPPY EASTER WEEK, TOO!
Click the image to read Ed McNulty’s The Gospel and Humor column.
EASTER—The world’s 2 billion Western Christians celebrated Easter on April 1—but, if you have Orthodox Christians among your friends and family, remember that they will be celebrating this coming weekend. Mainly, Eastern Christians focus on the lengthy vigil that takes place this year on Saturday April 7.
EASTER WEEK—First, our faith-and-film writer Ed McNulty greets Easter Week—often an occasion for good humor—with a special column he calls The Gospel and Humor. He recommends lots of resources for infusing laughter into your spiritual reflections.
THE VIEW FROM COLORADO—Columnist Amy Morgan is familiar to readers of the popular Friendship & Faith, a collection of stories by women who overcame a barrier to find friendship. This week, Amy contributes a column on interfaith conversation about this year’s convergence of Passover and Easter. And, her column includes a quick link to listen to that inter-religious podcast via iTunes.
Want to see all the holidays? www.InterfaithHolidays.com
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Click the illustration to read about our Allies and Angels via IBPA magazine.
THE FRONT EDGE STORY
FRONT EDGE PUBLISHING—This week, the entire publishing house staff is proud to be featured in the spring issue of the magazine for the Independent Book Publishers Association. David Crumm writes about this special feature—focused on our encouragement of Angels and Allies in publishing—and provides a link to read the entire IBPA magazine feature. Want to learn more about publishing today? Please, share this home address with friends: www.FrontEdgePublishing.com
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FAITH & FILM
Click the movie image to read Ed’s review.
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:
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- SUMMER IN THE FOREST—Ed gives 5 out of 5 stars to this inspiring documentary about the life’s work of Jean Vanier and his worldwide L’Arche movement. You’ll have to search for this movie, but Ed urges us not to miss it.
- FILM STARS DON’T DIE IN LIVERPOOL—Ed says this “heart-felt romantic film,” based on the real life of actress Gloria Grahame, has an excellent cast of actors who make us care deeply about the fate of these star-crossed lovers. (4 stars).
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Click on the image to read Ed’s review of Ready Player One.
READY PLAYER ONE—Ed writes, “Director Steven Spielberg seems to be reverting to his youthful days in his new film that is the equivalent of a cinematic roller coaster ride.” (4 stars)
- I CAN ONLY IMAGINE—Ed writes, “This moving faith-based film is set up as a story behind Christian rocker Bart Millard’s hit song, but it can best be seen as a father-son tale embodying the theme of forgiveness and reconciliation.” (4 stars)
- RED SPARROW—This spy thriller will keep you on the edge of your seat, Ed says. (4 stars)
- A FANTASTIC WOMAN—Ed gives 5 stars to the Best Foreign Language Film selection that features a transgender star in the title role. For its groundbreaking gender themes, he also reaches back to 1999 and recommends Boys Don’t Cry.
- ISLE OF DOGS—5 stars for Wes Anderson’s latest quirky creation! But Ed does warn that it may not be the best choice for younger children.
- PAUL, AN APOSTLE OF CHRIST—Ed also recommends this new Bible film. (4.5 stars).
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