Two of my favorite humans on planet earth are named Gareth and Brian. They aren't my favorites because they are brilliant, creative, wise, or even lots of fun. Gareth and Brain are genuinely kind and passionately invested in the well-being of our planet. That is why I am super pumped that they have written a CHILDREN'S BOOK that is absolutely wonderful.

It is called Cory and the Seventh Story and should be required reading  for parents and grand parents with the children in their life.

Don't worry adults, they didn't forget about you. They also wrote a version for you that explores the same themes. That's right, you can also get The Seventh Story: Us, Them, and the End of Violence. 

You can also check out my first film and the only one I know of in the "progressive Christian buddy road-trip comedy you could get in trouble for showing at church, but if you watch the entire thing you might cry and not think it is just inappropriate humor" category. It is called The Road to Edmond and this holiday season you can stream it by heading to jesuslovesourmovie.com.

Gareth Higgins was born in Belfast in 1975, grew up during the northern Ireland Troubles, and now lives in North Carolina. He writes and speaks about connection to the earth, cinema and the power of dreams, peace and making justice, and how to take life seriously without believing your own propaganda. He co-founded the Wild Goose Festival, Movies & Meaning, The Porch Magazine, and the New Story Festival. He has experienced violence, and been involved in peace-building; he lives in the US and sees beauty amidst challenge; his greatest hope is that you would find some healing and inspiration in a better story, to find a better life, for you, your community, the world, and everyone else. He's looking for that too, and he's happy to be a work in progress. If you'd like to connect with his work, www.garethhiggins.net is the place to go.

Brian D. McLaren is an author, speaker, activist, and public theologian. A former college English teacher and pastor, he is a passionate advocate for “a new kind of Christianity” – just, generous, and working with people of all faiths for the common good. He is an Auburn Senior Fellow and a leader in the Convergence Network, through which he is developing an innovative training/mentoring program for pastors, church planters, and lay leaders called Convergence Leadership Project. He works closely with the Center for Progressive Renewal/Convergence, the Wild Goose Festival and the Fair Food Program‘s Faith Working Group.

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