The Leader’s Notebook with Dr. Mark Rutland

Easter is, without a doubt, the greatest of all Christian Holy Days. It marks the celebration of the resurrection of Christ and is the most important day in the Christian church calendar worldwide. In this episode, Dr. Rutland deftly guides us from theology to the meaning of the resurrection in the everyday life of the believer and, in fact, in the death of the believer. 

In this fascinating and insightful episode, Dr. Rutland explores the differences between two types of growth; organic and engineered. Each has pluses and minuses. Some of the differences may surprise you.

Servant leadership is a hot topic among those who teach leadership. Even so, there remain many misconceptions about what it is and definitely about what it is NOT. In this episode, Dr. Rutland delves into the topic of servant leadership with down to earth practicality and good humor. If you are a leader of any kind, parent, pastor, or CEO, don’t miss this one.

In this challenging but intriguing episode, Dr. Rutland speaks to the issue of “evil speaking” or, as it is said in Hebrew, Lashon Hara. From gossip to making a false accusation, reviled speaking damages lives, reputations, marriages, and careers, yet many never stop to consider the wounding power of Lashon Hara.

One question Biblical counselors are frequently asked is, if inner healing is really Biblical, why didn’t Jesus do it. Dr. Rutland’s surprising answer is, He did. Using the Biblical story of the restoration of a failed New Testament saint, Rutland paints a powerful picture of the grace and process of inner healing.

Of all the toxins, fear has the most destructive effect of the dimension of a life. Fear shrinks life; fear that a past pain will be repeated or an imagined pain will happen. Unable to commit, easily triggered and totally risk averse the fearful watch their lives shrivel up. Everything begins to be about avoiding pain. Rutland explores this terrible reality and the healing therapy of the Presence...

In this, the next episode of COURAGE TO BE HEALED, Dr. Rutland speaks to the dark toxin of condemnation. What may surprise you most is the “throne” from which condemnation emanates. Once that is clarified comes the surprising Biblical therapy that topples that throne and dries up the toxic flow of condemnation.

Ever wonder why some people seem to repeat behavior patterns over and over again which cause others to reject them? We have all seen that tragic pattern destroy relationships. In this episode Dr. Rutland speaks to the emotional wound of rejection and the devastation it can cause in relationships. He documents the emotional struggle of a young woman trapped in the performance-for-acceptance syndrom...

In his newest book, COURAGE TO BE HEALED, Dr. Rutland explains that courage, not faith, is the most important variable in emotional healing. In this episode Rutland explains why it takes great courage to forgive and why forgiveness has great power to heal the wounded soul. Using the powerful story of a man filled with hate for his ex-wife and her lawyer, Rutland speaks to the incredible power of f...

Dr. Rutland continues this series based on his latest book, COURAGE TO BE HEALED. Today he speaks to the emotionally devastating wound of shame, which he says is perhaps the most devastating of the five principle toxins, especially when it is caused by sexual trauma. In this powerful episode Rutland deals with the deadly “throne” of deception and how truth tears it down.

Murderer’s row. That’s what sports writers dubbed the 1927 NY Yankees. In this episode Dr. Rutland introduces the Murderers Row of emotion wreckage, the five most destructive sources of toxic emotional woundedness. It is impossible to move forward into the wholeness that God has for us while our life is a mountain of toxic waste. One variable above all others determines whether we move forward in...

The human mechanism is incredibly complex; it’s parts and systems are mysteriously interconnected. Drop a monkey wrench, especially sexual or violent trauma, down in the gears at an early age and an unbalanced emotional wreck can result. In this episode Dr. Rutland makes the case that the altered life may begin at an altar but it does not end there. There are dedicated believers who need emotional...

COURAGE TO BE HEALED is Dr. Mark Rutland’s newest book (his 19th). With this episode, he begins a nine-week series on the search for emotional healing. The premise of his book, and of this series, is that faith is not always the primary variable in the healing of damaged emotions. Rutland says, in inner healing, the variable is more likely to be courage.    

The post-Christmas let down. That moment when all the celebrating and parties and get-togethers are over. Dr. Rutland explains why the Virgin Mary just might have understood exactly what you’re feeling. It must have been a moment of splendor when the Angel visited Mary. But what about when he left?

Buckle your seatbelt! Brace yourself for the moment when Dr. Rutland says, “There was nothing miraculous about the birth of Jesus.” Then stay tuned for the rest of his message. Don’t miss this unique approach to the Christmas story.

In this episode Dr. Rutland speaks to the issue of human vs Divine timing. Using the Nativity as the basis of the teaching, Rutland speaks a message of hope and faith. God’s activity in human history is not limited to our very human understanding of time.

This, the final episode in the David series, deals with his death. King David died at the age of 70. Right up to the very last moment of his life, David was surrounded by complications, emotional crisis, and court intrigue beyond what most leaders will ever face. How interesting that such a complicated life should end in such complexity. There are important life lessons in David’s life. Likewise,...

The most terrible of all emotional wounds is probably betrayal. This episode deals with David’s darkest moment, a deadly betrayal from inside his own family. Sooner or later, every leader, indeed most people, will experience betrayal at some level. The question is, how do we deal with it victoriously?

All leaders are mixed vessels. So was King David. In this episode, leaders can see what went in to David’s best and most destructive decisions. How can the same leader win two successive victories over vastly superior forces then lose to a solitary woman?

At one time or another, every leader feels overwhelmed by the pressure of decisions that can make the difference between success and failure. From King David, leaders can learn decision making in the face of terrible crisis and great opportunity.

Everyone’s life is, to some extent, a roller coaster. King David’s life careened up, down and sideways from crisis to victory, to the mountain top, to the valley of death and back again. This episode deals with tactical leadership in the midst and strategy on the other side.

You probably never thought of King David as a startup or turn around leader, but that is exactly what he was, on multiple occasions. This episode presents keys to successfully negotiating the transitions between strategy and tactics, which is which and when to use one or the other.

The Leader’s Notebook airs once a week every Tuesday. With a historic watershed election only days away and the United States in such turmoil, I present this special episode based on Isaiah chapter 6, in the hope that it may encourage you.

Ever had a great idea that blew up in your face? There is a possibility, it was, in fact, a good idea or even a great idea, but the timing was terrible. Among the many fascinating leadership lessons to be learned from King David, not the least of what this episode deals with is timing. Essential insights on timing for modern leaders.

In this episode, King David teaches the modern leader one of life’s harshest lessons. There may be someone in your life, perhaps an unlikely someone, who, for no good reason, hates you, literally hates you. David knew how to deal with it when his own father-in-law’s murderous hatred became increasingly obvious.