Movie Guide

REFLECTIONS ON THE BEATITUDES FOR PEOPLE WITH CANCER is the third in a DVD series that includes REFLECTIONS ON PSALM 23 AND REFLECTIONS ON THE LORD’S PRAYER. It is fascinating! The Beatitudes describe the character of a Christian. They are the goal, the yearning and the reward of the Christian life.

Ken Curtis, the host and writer of this series, is a walking miracle. He has survived with extremely virulent cancer for many years, including lung cancer. In these reflections, he helps people not only understand the Beatitudes in Jesus Christ’s Sermon on the Mount and the hope they off for us, but how they apply to someone in dire circumstances. Although he addresses the subject of cancer, his reflections will be a blessing to everyone and anyone who suffers from any physical, mental or spiritual trials. These reflections and the Beatitudes themselves provide a whole new insight into dealing with the world around us. This insight opens up the Kingdom of Heaven on this mortal coil.

As you screen these videos, you will feel greater peace, understanding and wisdom. They will be like the Balm of Gilead.

Like the other two DVDs, this video is shot in Israel. It ties the Beatitudes into the time and place that Jesus gave them.

The photography, the sound and the production quality are all excellent. There’s nothing objectionable. MOVIEGUIDE® highly commends this series.

Mary Slutz, RN, BS, MHCA - 2011

Serious health issues are very personal. They fall into one's life and wreak havoc not only physically but emotionally, spiritually, interpersonally, and financially. When Dr. Ken Curtis was diagnosed with an aggressive form of cancer, he felt its impact in each of those areas just like any other cancer patient. Instead of letting the illness take over his life however, he let his life and beliefs take over the illness.

During the next few years as his illness ran its course, Curtis utilized various types of treatment but felt his faith and spiritual foundation as the ultimate weapon to help him cope with his cancer. His personal journey led him to consider what others in similar situations might experience and feel. This video series includes meditations derived from scripture that speak of comfort, peace, and offer inspiration, courage, and joy. Even though the meditations are reflections from Curtis's person journey through cancer, each one can bolster the faith of anyone with any type of acute or chronic illness.

This series of reflections for people with cancer; but its words of hope and resiliency during times of great stress and hopelessness are appropriate for any illness. Curtis looks at the Beatitudes as a way for the reader to search for the important aspects of one's life, faith and future. Curtis challenges those hurting from illness to look for the positives, the joy, and the blessings even though the negatives in life seem overwhelming. His ten reflections of 10-minutes each were filmed in Israel and can offer a patient, family or small group a new way to view the future.

Video Librarian - March/April 2011

Ken Curtis, founder and president of Gateway Films/Vision Video and the Christian History Institute, here offers spiritual sustenance to people with cancer, focusing on the famous Beatitudes section from Christ's Sermon on the Mount as recounted in the Gospel of Matthew (5:3-11). The fact that Curtis, who also made "Reflections on Psalm 23: For People with Cancer", has himself been diagnosed with two advanced forms of cancer lends his comments particular power. At the beginning of this program, Curtis recounts how a recent deterioration in his condition almost prevented him from undertaking this project. But he was ultimately able to once again travel to the Holy Land to visit sites that inspire his commentary on each of the Beatitudes--places such as the Mount of Olives, the Garden of Gethesmane, and the site of the Qumran community. In each case his thoughts lead to other scriptural passages--the parable of the Good Samaritan, for example--that help them deal with various situations and come to a deeper understanding of their illnesses. Curtis' soft-spoken approach, combined with the evocative locations and soothing background score, make this a potentially beneficial tool to those suffering with cancer or any serious ailment.

Reflections on the Beatitudes study guide