Mary Li Ma

Jan 17, 2025 | thebanner.org | Jessixa Bagley |Mary Li Ma

This picture book reveals a canine musician’s journey of pursuing passion, love, and inner strength. In the city of Paris, Maurice offered his music on street corners because he felt that “sharing his music with others was what mattered.” Music was the language of love in these exchanges, and Maurice brought happiness to people with each passing day. He felt content and satisfied. When the musician was back in his neighborhood, Maurice tried to offer smiles and kindness.

Nov 22, 2024 | thebanner.org | Mary Li Ma

The parents of Mats Steen, a 25-year-old young man with a degenerative muscular disease (Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy) who lived most of his life in a wheelchair, never expected to really “know” their son—until after he died. They had always lived with the pain knowing that Mats would not be able to nurture friendships, fall in love, or make an impact in others’ lives.

Nov 1, 2024 | thebanner.org | Dietrich Bonhoeffer |Mary Li Ma

This slim volume by German theologian Dietrich Bonhoeffer was first published in German in 1940 before the Nazis banned the theology teacher from publishing. It was later translated and published in English in 1974. Readers will find a spiritual director in Bonhoeffer as he guides them in how to apply Psalms into their prayer lives. Bonhoeffer considers the Psalms to be “an incomparable treasure” for the church.

Oct 18, 2024 | thebanner.org | Mary Li Ma

Bereavement is a strange thing. While dealing with the complex emotions of grief, one has to keep the routines and relationships. Life takes on a painful focal point, but people also get lost in how they find closure. Even when family members grieve together over the loss of a loved one, this journey doesn’t always bring everyone close together. This movie tells the story of a seemingly indifferent Japanese widower Kenzaburo (Lily Franky) embarking on a trip to visit England.

Oct 4, 2024 | thebanner.org | Myisha Cherry |Mary Li Ma

Across religions and societies, forgiveness represents the highest moral ground, even and especially in the worst situations of harm and injustice. Forgiveness, though, is a profound and complex human experience that defies oversimplification. Contemporary philosopher Myisha Cherry, who is also an African American scholar, carefully unveils the myths and misconceptions around forgiveness in her new book. As the author writes, “Forgiveness is powerful.