Dr. Mark Rutland is the president of a ministry called Global Servants, this ministry has a base in Africa and in Asia. He is also the president of the National Institute of Christian Leadership. Previously he has served as a pastor and been the president of two Christian universities, Oral Roberts University and Southeastern University. In addition to these ministries he has written a number of books, Courage to be Healed is his latest.

At first glance, the title may fool you; the book is not about physical healing. The subtitle is helpful in clarifying the focus of the book. As the subtitle clearly states the book is about restoring your soul. Stated differently, this is a book about inner healing. The book is the fruit of some of the author’s counseling of others along with material supplied to him by other Christian counselors. Rutland takes care to conceal the identities of both the counselors and counselees. This is necessary because some of the stories in this book are truly disturbing. The fallen world in which we live produces some terrible results and no one has the assurance that they will escape unscathed. Many, if not all, of the people whose stories are told in this book are Christians, and they have each been deeply wounded.

One of the biblical passages used in this text is the portion of Scripture in which four men carry a paralyzed man up to the roof of a house, dig a hole in the roof, and then lower the paralyzed man down through the roof right in front of Jesus. This story demonstrates the truth that sometimes people need the help of others in order to get to Jesus so that they can to be healed. Jesus first met the man’s spiritual needs by forgiving his sins, and then He healed his body. The author calls our attention to the fact that the paralytic had to have courage in order go through with this plan to be healed.

In the course of dealing with each of the toxins mentioned above the author shares some of the dialogue that takes place between the counselor and the person being counseled. This part of the text helps the reader see the difficulty of the counseling task. One can see the struggle and the tension that takes place in the counseling session. This book demonstrates that it does indeed take courage to be healed. The first step for the counselee is to face the issue and call it what it truly is. That can be a very difficult thing for a person to do. This book may be of special interest to professional Christian counselors or those who are engaged in pastoral counseling.

Reviewed by John Lathrop

Preview Courage to Be Healed: https://books.google.com/books/about/Courage_to_Be_Healed.html?id=6uWmDwAAQBAJ

Author’s book page: https://drmarkrutland.com/store/books/courage-to-be-healed/

Tolkien: A Life of Love, Courage, and Fellowship

I was skeptical. I fully expected the film to about the inspiration behind The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings, and these were represented, but not the focus. If you are familiar with his works, then you will easily find glimpses here and there, but if you have never picked up a Tolkien title, the experience is still powerful.

I am no longer skeptical. The film is about the man, which includes his imagination, but centers on who J. R. R. Tolkien was, the friends that influenced his early years before WWI, his abiding love for Edith Bratt, and his passion for words: wonderful, meaningful, inspiring words. The sound of them, the depth of them, their story.

And there’s the rub. If you are fond of the English language, of literature, Tolkien the film will move you. And I am pleased to say, there are no verbal vulgarities (though some brief nude art appears).

Some that love his writings have written concerns about how Tolkien’s Catholic faith is not on display in the film. Colm Meaney plays Father Frances in the film, he was a man of considerable influence on Tolkien’s life and was his legal guardian after the death of his parents. There is no question that Tolkien’s faith was well established and vocalized in his latter years, he was even instrumental in helping C. S. Lewis come to faith. However, it may not have been as important when he was of college age and younger—the predominant period covered in the film.

If the film had any fault, the soundtrack was highly synthesized and ignorable.

The characters are believable with some fine teen actors as well as established thespians like Nicholas Hoult, Lily Collins, the previously mentioned Colm Meaney, and Sir Derek Jacobi. This is Disney’s first release of a Fox film since the merger, which is a tad ironic, as Tolkien allegedly despised Walt Disney’s butchery of classic literature.

To what degree the film is historically accurate, I do not know nor care. If you have considered going—go soon. It has limited cinematic release and won’t be in theaters for long.

Reviewed by Kevin Williams

Editor’s update: The DVD was released on August 6, 2019.

Three devotionals from Kirk Hunt’s book, Blessed and Blessing: Devotionals for Gospel Champions (CadreMen Press, 2015).

David’s First Anointing

David’s Second Anointing

David’s Third Anointing

Blessed and Blessing, Devotionals for Gospel Champions

The Kingdom of God is built by the hands and hearts of Gospel Champions. These devotionals are focused on the faithful and courageous men and women who answer God’s call on their lives. Often the least recognized, these Christian servants are the hands, feet and face of God’s present-day Kingdom. Some of the devotions encourage servants to answer His call, then prepare for their mission tasks. Other devotionals address working with others on the frontlines of the Gospel mission. There are devotionals related to finishing in continuing strength and steady faith. Some devotions include Scriptural medicine and reassurance for those who stumble while serving. The servants who bless others are often more blessed than they know. These teachings help Gospel champions recognize and use the gifts God has already given to them. This book benefits the men and women who deliver God’s answers to the physical and spiritual needs around them.