Author Archives: expressyourself4him

Video of the Day: Clip from the 1997 movie “Cop Land”

Bible Verse of the Day:

Jesus entered the temple courts and drove out all who were buying and selling there. He overturned the tables of the money changers and the benches of those selling doves. ¹³ “It is written,” he said to them, “‘My house will be called a house of prayer,’^[e] but you are making it ‘a den of robbers, Matthew 21:12-13.

Biblical Connection:

Sylvester Stallone plays the Sheriff of a suburban New Jersey town named Garrison. However, the locals refer to this community as Cop Land, a place where New York City police officers reside. Today’s scene has an Internal Affairs investigator played by Robert De Niro who discovers the town is a front for mob connections. De Niro asks Stallone, Freddy Heflin, to use his power as Sheriff to look into these allegations.

Jesus didn’t need anyone from Internal Affairs to see what was going on in the Jewish temple. One day after being exalted on Palm Sunday upon his entry into Jerusalem, Jesus speaks out about the secularization of God’s holy temple. Whenever political or spiritual corruption is exposed, the people in power deflect responsibility. Just as the Department of Government Efficiency has uncovered financial abuse and fraud, the people behind this are trying to cover their tracks.

Closing Song:

Confronting the corruption of Jewish leaders on the Monday of Passion Week triggered a chain of events that resulted in His crucifixion. While the findings of the Department of Government Efficiency are still playing itself out, the biblical response to any exposure of sin is to lay this at the altar in prayer. May a spirit of conviction lead readers to lay their burdens at the feet of Christ.

by Jay Mankus

Video of the Day: Clip from the 2000 film “The Patriot”

Bible Verse of the Day:

And he passed in front of Moses, proclaiming, “The Lord, the Lord, the compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness, ⁷ maintaining love to thousands, and forgiving wickedness, rebellion and sin. Yet he does not leave the guilty unpunished; he punishes the children and their children for the sin of the parents to the third and fourth generation,” Exodus 34:6-7.

Biblical Connection:

Mel Gibson plays Benjamin Martin, an infamous French and Indian war hero who is haunted by a great sin from his past. When the Revolutionary War commences, Benjamin refuses to join this cause following the death of his wife. However, when one of Benjamin’s sons is murdered by a British officer, he pursues a caravan of prisoners to rescue Gabriel, his oldest son. Driven to lead the Colonial Militia, Gabriel’s life is lost during a battle which sets the stage for today’s scene.

Watching the Patriot recently, I am reminded of the cost of freedom paid for by members of the Continental Army. Blood was shed daily as the bodies of dead soldiers were buried like today’s scene depicts. Just as King David’s life was accompanied by war, Benjamin Martin sinful acts during the French and Indian war caught up to him in the form of generational sins. Introduced by Moses in Exodus 20:4-5, these sinful patterns and tendencies is why a Savior was sent down to earth.

Closing Song:

If you ever find yourself flooded and overwhelmed by conviction, turn to Jesus, the spiritual anchor of our faith. While there are consequences to any sin, may you hold on to Jesus this Easter Season.

by Jay Mankus

Video of the Day: Clip from the 1939 film “The Wizard of Oz”

Bible Verse of the Day:

A second time they summoned the man who had been blind. “Give glory to God by telling the truth,” they said. “We know this man is a sinner.” ²⁵ He replied, “Whether he is a sinner or not, I don’t know. One thing I do know. I was blind but now I see!” ²⁶ Then they asked him, “What did he do to you? How did he open your eyes?” ²⁷ He answered, “I have told you already and you did not listen. Why do you want to hear it again? Do you want to become his disciples too?” – John 9:24-27

Biblical Connection:

After a tornado lands Dorothy and her dog Toto in Munchkin Land, she follows a yellow brick road toward the city of Oz. During this long walk, Dorothy encounters a scarecrow, tinman and a lion. Each one of these characters contain a major flaw which is preventing them from being successful in life. When Dorothy invites the scarecrow to join her, each place their hope in a figure that they’ve heard about but have never seen.

When the blind man in today’s Bible passage is questioned by the Pharisees, he’s not sure what they are trying to accomplish. This man isn’t someone planted in a healing service who pretended to be blind. Rather, this man had a personal encounter with the giver of life and sight, Jesus. This man had been born blind and following the events of John 9:6-7, he was able to see clearly for the first time. This man didn’t need to see a Wizard in Oz. He only needed an encounter with Jesus.

Closing Song:

There was a book that I read for Tentmakers, a Youth Ministry Trade School, called the Master of All Trades. The author took the miracles in the Gospel of John and highlighted that Jesus has the power over all things including elements, sight and time. This is the character and nature described in the song My God Can. The next time you face a wall of doubt in your mind, put your faith and trust in the God of miracles.

by Jay Mankus

Video of the Day: Clip from the 1995 film “7 Days in Utopia”

Bible Verse of the Day:

Dear friends, I urge you, as foreigners and exiles, to abstain from sinful desires, which wage war against your soul. ¹² Live such good lives among the pagans that, though they accuse you of doing wrong, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day he visits us, 1 Peter 2:11-12.

Biblical Connection:

The game of golf can be extremely cruel and unforgiving. Yet, how you respond to adversity often dictates your degree of success. This is the back story for 7 Days in Utopia following the embarrassing professional debut of Luke Chisholm played by Lucas Black. When Luke Chisholm breaks down in Utopia, he meets rancher Johnny Crawford played by Robert Duval who begins to mentor him. Utopia serves as a transition for Luke to rebuild his confidence and public image.

As a former mini-tour member and PGA Tour qualifying school participant, the game of golf can bring you to your knees. One bad break and lost ball derailed any chances of making the 36-hole cut. Yet, the Bible calls Christians to higher standards. Peter writes about sinful desires waging war against your soul, likely thinking about how fear caused him to publicly deny knowing Jesus three times. When temptation comes creeping at your door, look for the way out, 1 Corinthians 10:13.

Closing Song:

The golf of game can bring out the worst in human beings. Individuals who can resist the desire to break or throw a club display is a sign of self-control. Yet, there are more wars in life, often coming at your weakest moments. Therefore, guard yourself with prayer, setting up hedges of protection when a sport begins to stifle your soul.

by Jay Mankus

Video of the Day: Trailer from the 2014 film “Mercy Rule”

Bible Verse of the Day:

Then he called the crowd to him along with his disciples and said: “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me. ³⁵ For whoever wants to save their life^[b] will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me and for the gospel will save it. ³⁶ What good is it for someone to gain the whole world, yet forfeit their soul? ³⁷ Or what can anyone give in exchange for their soul?  – Mark 8:34-37

Biblical Connection:

The Mercy Rule in the context of baseball refers to ending a game early when one team is up by more than 10 runs after the 4th innings. During travel ball tournaments, where certain teams far outclass others, there is a 20-run rule after 3 completed innings. The movie Mercy Rule uses baseball and family trials to teach life’s lessons on mercy, patience, sacrifice, legacy and trusting God. While a player may shine in a game, all members win and lose as a team.

Jon Mark recounts a memorable conversation that Jesus had with his disciples. Rather than joining a baseball team, Jesus is asking 12 men to join a spiritual team. This concept is hard to grasp for many as it’s directly opposed to what society teaches. Jesus’ 3 expectations include denying yourself, taking up the cause of the great commission, Acts 1:8 and following Jesus as the Lord of your life. Unfortunately, many Christians put God on hold, unable to resist temporary treasures.

Closing Song:

When your team is getting crushed, the Mercy Rule exists to end the pain of defeat. However, sometimes Christians can learn more from losing than winning. If there is no I in team, each individual member of a losing team should humbly reflect upon what they could have done better. When Christian’s learn from past defeats, they’ll improve their chances to avoid making the same mistake in the future.

by Jay Mankus