Christian Retailing, Jan 1. 2007

Vision Video offers Reflections on Psalm 23 for People With Cancer, a DVD featuring the teaching of Ken Curtis and releasing Jan. 17. Filmed in Israel, Curtis finds actual green pastures, still waters and dark valleys in order to gain a more complete understanding of the popular psalm. The DVD features 13 segments, of approximately eight minutes each.

Visual Parables, March 2007

Ever since he founded Vision Video (as Gateway Films in those pre-video days), Ken Curtis has brought dozens and dozens of films to the church, but I suspect none have involved him as personally and passionately as this latest Vision Video release. Not only is Dr. Curtis the on-screen host, speaking to us from the picturesque hills and towns of Palestine, but the entire project grew out of what he described in a note to this reviewer as "an intensely personal experience" - a life-threatening bout with cancer in which he was given small chance of recovering. However, those who have not suffered from this dread disease should not let the title scare them away because this DVD is crammed with insights into the greatest of the psalms, plus moving experiences from the filmmaker's own life. As he says near the beginning of his narrative, he is also addressing "anyone else who cares to listen in." The DVD is divided into 13 meditations, each about eight minutes long, making it appropriate for an individual to use at home or, thanks to the availability now of portable DVD players, for a patient in a hospital bed. A creative teacher could easily get from 6 to 13 lessons for a Bible class, on Sunday mornings or during the week. Congregations whose deacons or elders visit the sick and the shut-in could take the tape to leave after their visits. Preachers will find illustrations and inspiration for a dozen or more sermons, and even for communion homilies. Because of the beautiful footage shot in Palestine, often featuring sheep and a shepherd, the video readily holds our attention - this is definitely not a talking head presentation. Dr. Curtis moves through the Psalm, verse and/or phrase by phrase, extracting life-lessons that will enrich the viewer's faith and life. His cancer experience is brought in from time to time, but by no means dominates his narrative. His basic premise is deeply Scriptural, especially when one calls to mind Jesus' Gethsemane prayer or Paul's words in Romans in 8:28: Don't ask "What did I do to deserve this, but what good can God bring out of all this?" As he discovers, God can bring a lot of good even out of cancer. Curtis does not suggest that everyone with cancer will be healed - although his combination of traditional and alternative medicine plus this psalm did bring him remission, despite the prognosis of his doctors - but does emphasize the deepening of one's faith in the face of death. The meditation on the "table before me" is especially profound, Dr. Curtis bringing in Jesus' Last Supper at which the betrayer (the "enemy" in the psalm) was present, and I loved his use of Victor Frankl's observation concerning his near-starvation in a Nazi concentration camp, that he regarded the ordeal as "just fasting," rather than as being starved to death. The element of hope, both Curtis and Frankl assert, is absolutely crucial in fighting cancer, or any other situation deemed "hopeless." This is a DVD I cannot recommend too highly. It is one that should not be allowed to sit on a shelf, but should be promoted or taken around throughout congregation and hospital. - Edward McNulty

Video Librarian, May/Jun 2007

“The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want.” The words of Psalm 23 became an important part in Vision Video and Christian History Institute founder Ken Curtis’ spiritual treatment after he was diagnosed with two advanced cancers. In this program, intended for people with cancer seeking spiritual guidance, Curtis – who has defied the odds and lived far longer than his doctors estimated – travels to Israel and visits the site where David, credited with writing Psalm 23, slew Goliath. As you face the giant in your own life, Curtis explains, you can take hope from the journey of a man who took on a giant and won. Although the psalm is often used as a kind of “spiritual sedative” at funerals, Curtis illustrates how these words can mean so much more as he offers an analysis of the psalm as it relates to biblical tales, talks about what it has meant to him personally, and suggests ways in which it can be applied to people coping with cancer. Featuring beautiful images from nature and majestic scenes of the Israeli countryside, combined with soothing music backing Curtis’ insightful and inspirational commentary, this spiritual self-help title is recommended.

Congregational Libraries Today, July/Aug 2007

Cancer - one way or another, it touches most lives. Ken Curtis, founder and president of Gateway Films/Vision Video, was diagnosed with an advance form of cancer over three years ago. His son Bill encouraged him to fulfill a dream of traveling to Israel, with the stipulation that he would produce a series of mediations on Psalm 23 for others who are searching for calm in their souls as they face this disease. The result is a moving and sensitive set of thirteen segments, each eight minutes long, to uplift the spirit and give the peace that comes with the assurance of the Lord's presence. Creative photography, videography, and background music help clarify and deepen the psalm's meaning. Added features include background information, two beautiful vocal renditions of the psalm, various translations of the text, and even contact information for Dr. Curtis. All church libraries should have this video, and it should be required viewing for pastors, pastoral care volunteers, and those who care for relatives or friends who have been diagnosed with cancer. This video touched me; it will provide spiritual calm and the knowledge of God's presence to all who view it. A companion audio CD by Michael Moricz (available separately) features traditional Jewish and Arabic music.

The Christian Librarian - 2008

The 23rd Psalm, only 115 words long, yet one of the most quoted and referred to passages of Scripture. It is read during funerals for comfort; it is read by the weary for strength. Reflections on the 23rd Psalm for People with Cancer is a series of thirteen meditations, each one concentrating on a different part of the psalm. Curtis asserts that getting in to this psalm will "shake us": shake our understanding of the world, shake our understanding of our being, shake our understanding of our place in the world. The video was taped in the Holy Land, in the pastures of Palestine, and along the sea. The tranquility of the scenery assists set the mood for the lesson being taught. Each meditation is 8-minutes in length. Curtis's insight on the nature and role of the shepherd give the viewer a greater appreciation of the truth taught in Psalm 23. Ken Curtis is the founder of Vision Video and the Christian History Institute. He created this video following a battle with cancer. This video would be best suited for public library collections, but could also be included in academic library collections, specifically those serving nursing programs and/or chaplaincy programs. - Rodney G. Birch, MidAmerica Nazarene University.

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. Curtis traveled to Israel to gain insight into what David may have been thinking and feeling when he wrote the Psalms. From the 23rd Psalm, he created thirteen 8-minute meditations where he shares an interpretation of the scripture and how it relates to the fear and feelings that are frequently experienced by those facing cancer. Using his experience, he shares the inspiration, comfort, and healing that he gained by studying the deeper meaning of the Psalms. Each segment was filmed in Israel's countryside to illustrate the words of the scripture and to remind others that Psalm 23 is full of support and hope.

Lynn Eib, Villanova University - April 2010

I have been using "Reflections on Psalm 23" in both my cancer support groups the last two months and the response has been phenomenal! Every single person loves them! They love the music, the scenery, your message--everything! I knew I really liked them, but my groups are quite diverse--men, women, all ages, caregivers, various "levels" of belief, all kinds of cancers and stages of it-so I wasn't sure how everyone would respond. The DVDs make it SO easy for me to do the group now because it's always hard to come up with something rather short but very inspirational. You have don it!

I will be getting my web master to add them to my website and have been listing them on every list of resources I've been asked to make (including the American Association of Christian Counselors and its new DVD series "Challenging Cancer" supposedly coming out any day now.)

Thank you so much. What a blessing these are and will be to so many people. Thank you for your sacrifice to make them. I pray that your health holds up and you are able to keep bringing God much glory. - Blessings!

Reflections on Psalm 23 Study Guide