Best this month Undefeated
By Frederic and Mary Ann Brussat
discipline and a willingness to sacrifice individual needs for team solidarity.
This emotionally rich film won the best documentary Academy Award in 2011. Director Dan Lindsay gives center stage to Bill Courtney, who for six losing sea- sons has served as a volunteer coach for the Manassas High School football team in the inner city of Memphis, Tenn. The enthusiastic leader excels at giving inspi- rational speeches to his players, who seem at first to lack the drive and determination to become winners. Courtney wants his players to keep in mind the three qualities shared by successful teams: character,
Just when Manassas starts win- ning a few games, more challenges crop up for the coach. One student’s grades plummet; another is injured on the field; a third has an anger management problem. Courtney’s caring coaching style shows itself vividly at work with these three players. He is an inspiring model of leadership and the kind of moral mentor needed by youth today (Anchor Bay Entertainment and The Weinstein Co., PG-13—some language). Now on DVD.
Goodbye, Brecken
When Isabelle’s beloved dog Brecken dies, she feels a mix of emotions including anger, sadness and loss. In a dream she goes on a quest to find him and meets a deer, a fox, some rabbits and a crow who remind her of things she loved about her dog. Then
Brecken appears and they spend some time
together before she must say goodbye. Isabelle wakes up and knows that Brecken will live forever in her memo- ries of him.
The Brussats pub- lish the website www. SpiritualityandPractice. com where you can find more information about the items reviewed in this column.
This poignant picture book about grieving, written and illustrated by David Lupton for ages 4-8, is from the press of the American Psychological Association. The death of a pet is a difficult thing for youngsters to go through, and they may need guidance from adults. At the end of this paperback, a doctor offers a few coping strategies that include gathering further support, creating a ritual to honor the loss, encouraging creative expression, and discuss- ing your next steps as a family (
www.apa.org/pubs).
42 The Lutheran •
www.thelutheran.org
Why Can’t We Talk? Christian Wisdom on Dialogue as a Habit of the
Heart What is dialogue? John Backman, creator of “The Dia- logue Venture,” says it is sharing, explor- ing, aiming for the truth and involves
self-transcendence. Dialogue is not debate, nego- tiation, conversation or persuasion. This “habit of the heart” was modeled by Jesus and Paul. Backman discusses some of the obstacles to
this activity: black-and-white thinking, fear of change, giving in to distractions, and capitulat- ing to negative impressions of others. In contrast, dialogue engenders humility, openness to others and freedom. It is especially valuable in an age of multifaith interaction. This book is tailor-made for small church discussion groups, and Backman helps you get started by providing a “For Your Consideration” section at the end of each chapter (Skylight Paths,
www.skylightpaths.com).
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