Category Archives: Truth

Video of the Day: Clip from the 1999 movie “October Sky”

Bible Verse of the Day:

Dear friends, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world. ² This is how you can recognize the Spirit of God: Every spirit that acknowledges that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is from God, ³ but every spirit that does not acknowledge Jesus is not from God. This is the spirit of the antichrist, which you have heard is coming and even now is already in the world, 1 John 4:1-3.

Biblical Connection:

October Sky is a true story about an unlikely teenager who is inspired after watching the Sputnik 1 launch in 1957. Despite being a coal miner’s son, Homer Hickam becomes fascinated by rocketry. Surrounding himself with a couple of nerds, Homer relies on one of his father’s mechanists to build a rocket. After being accused of setting a brush fire, Homer uses math to prove his innocence.

At the end of the first century, false teaching about Jesus and Christianity spread throughout the Middle East. Subsequently, one of Jesus’ former disciples encourages believers to test every teaching that one encounters with the Bible, 1 Thessalonians 5:21. Behind each idea is a spirit similar to modern-day opinions. Challenging these theories with biblical insight can distinguish truth from lies and like Homer prove that you are right.

Closing Song:

Whenever you’re searching for an answer, you often have to dig deep. This time-consuming process involves research like the formula used to prove Homer’s innocence. When you’re persistent, willing to keep on digging, you can prove fact from fiction.

by Jay Mankus

Video of the Day: Clip from the 2005 movie “The Greatest Game Ever Played”

Bible Verse of the Day:

By the humility and gentleness of Christ, I appeal to you—I, Paul, who am “timid” when face to face with you, but “bold” toward you when away! ² I beg you that when I come I may not have to be as bold as I expect to be toward some people who think that we live by the standards of this world. ³ For though we live in the world, we do not wage war as the world does. ⁴ The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds. ⁵ We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ. ⁶ And we will be ready to punish every act of disobedience, once your obedience is complete, 2 Corinthians 10:1-6.

Biblical Connection:

Today is the first round of the 2025 British Open, the final golf major of this year. Harry Vardon’s family was forced to move when the construction of a new golf course bought their land. Throughout the film the Greatest Game Ever Played, Harry has flashbacks of the four men who told his father they had to move. Images of these men appear on Harry’s driver during the 1913 United States Open. This is one of the tricks minds play on human beings to bring up their past.

In a letter to the Church at Corinth, the apostle Paul brings up the concept of taking your thoughts captive. When minds dwell on the negative, these thoughts can become self-fulfilled prophecies. If you have endured a rough life, past failures could turn into inner demons which can haunt you throughout life. However, by making thoughts obedient to Christ, self-doubt can be erased by belief and faith in Christ, Matthew 21:18-22.

Closing Song:

The popularity of sports psychology continues to grow in professional golf. While Harry Vardon developed his own pre-shot ritual to block out his inner demons, inviting Jesus into your thought life translates into all aspects of life. May your faith be an example to others by daily taking your thoughts captive to avoid evil sown into your mind by the Devil.

by Jay Mankus

Video of the Day: Clip from the television series “Castle”

Bible Verse of the Day:

It is impossible for those who have once been enlightened, who have tasted the heavenly gift, who have shared in the Holy Spirit, ⁵ who have tasted the goodness of the word of God and the powers of the coming age ⁶ and who have fallen^[c] away, to be brought back to repentance. To their loss they are crucifying the Son of God all over again and subjecting him to public disgrace. ⁷ Land that drinks in the rain often falling on it and that produces a crop useful to those for whom it is farmed receives the blessing of God. ⁸ But land that produces thorns and thistles is worthless and is in danger of being cursed. In the end it will be burned, Hebrews 6:4-8.

Biblical Connection:

The ABC television drama Castle ran for 8 seasons featuring detective Kate Beckett and novelist Richard Castle. Castle is introduced to the NYPD when a copycat killer lives out murders in Richard’s books. While Beckett and Castle relationship is on and off again the last 4 seasons, Richard attempts to protect Kate until she is unwilling to change her ways.

The author of Hebrews appears to reference Jesus’ Parable of the Sower. Back in Matthew 13:1-23, Jesus talks about different obstacles farmers face prior to planting seeds. Since not every soil is ideal, Jesus breaks down what each of these specific barriers represent. Since Kate’s heart has become hardened, Richard has reached a point in their relationship where there is nothing else, he can do. Until individuals are willing to change, you have to let them go until they are ready for help.

Closing Song:

Strong willed individuals are often the hardest to help. Richard Castle stuck around for 4 years hoping to make a difference in Kate’s life. Yet, when you find yourself under the ruins of a broken relationship, prayer and time are your available options until those whom you love realize they have a problem and are open for assistance.

by Jay Mankus