Category Archives: truth

Video of the Day: Clip from the 1986 movie “Back to School”

Bible Verse of the Day:

“Suppose one of you wants to build a tower. Won’t you first sit down and estimate the cost to see if you have enough money to complete it? ²⁹ For if you lay the foundation and are not able to finish it, everyone who sees it will ridicule you, ³⁰ saying, ‘This person began to build and wasn’t able to finish,’ Luke 14:28-30.

Biblical Connection:

There is a big difference between book knowledge and street knowledge, being part of a specific business or industry. One of the college classes I took was Economic Geography. Rather than rush into building a business, each student began with acres of land to farm with each subsequent task increasing in complexity. The professor in today’s clip was so focused on his own curriculum that he failed to consider modern day changes in business theory.

Earlier on in the Gospel of Luke, chapters 9 and 10, Jesus mentions an additional 72 disciples that were sent out to assist in His earthly ministry. Meanwhile, Jesus provides examples of individuals who are not fit to serve as disciples based upon common excuses each made. Whether you are a professor or part of a business, dealing with criticism is part of life. As a new manager, every day is a learning process, taking in new information. As long as you consider the costs, you’ll learn through trial and error to handle future criticism.

Closing Song:

Instead of acting like you’ve arrived like this college professor, remain teachable and open to the ideas of others. While some ideas have been tried and failed in the past, if the timing is right you’ll win the respect of others while properly dealing with criticism.

by Jay Mankus

Video of the Day: Clip from the 1995 movie “Mr. Holland’s Opus”

Bible Verse of the Day:

The next day John was there again with two of his disciples. ³⁶ When he saw Jesus passing by, he said, “Look, the Lamb of God!” ³⁷ When the two disciples heard him say this, they followed Jesus. ³⁸ Turning around, Jesus saw them following and asked, “What do you want?” They said, “Rabbi” (which means “Teacher”), “where are you staying?” ³⁹ “Come,” he replied, “and you will see.” So they went and saw where he was staying, and they spent that day with him. It was about four in the afternoon.⁴⁰ Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother, was one of the two who heard what John had said and who had followed Jesus. ⁴¹ The first thing Andrew did was to find his brother Simon and tell him, “We have found the Messiah” (that is, the Christ). ⁴² And he brought him to Jesus. Jesus looked at him and said, “You are Simon son of John. You will be called Cephas” (which, when translated, is Peter^[g]), John 1:35-42.

Biblical Connection:

Back when I was in high school, Music Theory was known as a blowoff class. Checking with your guidance counselor before the previous year ended, Music Theory was a popular option for students who wanted an easy A without doing much at all in class. Subsequently, when Mr. Holland greets and begins teaching his first class of the year, students are caught off guard by Mr. Holland’s intensity and passion for music.

As John the Baptist begins to wrap up his earthly ministry on repentance, John introduces his disciples to Jesus. Like the students sitting in Mr. Holland’s Music Theory class, some of John’s disciples were likely surprised, expecting to remain with John the Baptist. For any teacher, part of passing on knowledge involves getting to know your students. On the first day of class, unless there is an instant connection, teaching is much harder than it looks.

Closing Song:

Twelve first century Jews were called by Jesus because they were eagerly waiting for the promised Messiah of the Old Testament to arrive. This anticipation is missing from most classrooms in America. When students develop a hunger and thirst for learning, they become like sponges. Yet, for now, teaching remains more harder than it appears.

by Jay Mankus

Video of the Day: Clip from the 2004 movie “The Notebook” (language warning)

Bible Verse of the Day:

You, however, are not in the realm of the flesh but are in the realm of the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God lives in you. And if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, they do not belong to Christ. ¹⁰ But if Christ is in you, then even though your body is subject to death because of sin, the Spirit gives life^[d] because of righteousness. ¹¹ And if the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead is living in you, he who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies because of^[e] his Spirit who lives in you, Romans 8:9-11.

Biblical Connection:

Hollywood isn’t about doing what’s right. Rather, it’s about creating conflict, seeing how characters react and displaying what lengths an individual will pursue until they receive what they desire. In today’s see, a man is trying to buy the woman he loves, spoiling her with riches. Yet, this pursuit will only lead to emptiness in the end.

The apostle Paul writes about the invisible war between what a man wants and what God desires to several first century churches. From a Christian point of view, Paul speaks of the obligation that followers of God have to live according to the Holy Spirit. Unfortunately, kryptonite in the form of sinful addictions, bad habits and sensual cravings divide and separate human beings from God.

Closing Song:

The shifts in the tone of the lead singer of the Almost serve as a release of frustration, crying out to God in prayer. If you find yourself fighting a losing battle to your human flesh, may the lyrics of Amazing Because It Is give you hope to healing and restoration is in your near future.

by Jay Mankus

Video of the Day: Clip from the 1994 movie “Forrest Gump”

Bible Verse of the Day:

“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. ²⁹ Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. ³⁰ For my yoke is easy and my burden is light,” Matthew 11:28-30.

Biblical Connection:

As another school year begins, most teachers can’t even imagine what’s really going on in the lives of their students at home. Subsequently, walls are built up to ease the pain of the childhood that they have endured. The character who plays Jenny in Forrest Gump often escapes to Forrest’s house seeking a sense of normalcy provided by Forrest and Mrs. Gump.

Jesus’ words in today’s passage speaks to Jenny’s cry for help as she ran away from her father. Instead of flying away like a bird, Jesus invites all children to come to Him to ease their anxieties and burdens in life. After rebuking unrepentant towns for their lack of faith, Jesus turns to the lonely and lost, urging anyone with heavy hearts to pour out their soul’s burdens to God.

Song of the Day:

While sitting in the teachers’ lounge, I discovered that the oldest of 3 children was forced to take on the role of parent since her mom and dad had become alcoholics. Each morning, she woke up, cooked breakfast and took her two younger sisters. The next time someone doesn’t turn in their homework, there are other situations in life beyond their control hindering their ability to learn. This is just one of the walls that children build to protect their family members.

by Jay Mankus

Video of the Day: Clip from the 2000 movie “Cast Away”

Bible Verse of the Day:

Jesus said to them, “Very truly I tell you, it is not Moses who has given you the bread from heaven, but it is my Father who gives you the true bread from heaven. ³³ For the bread of God is the bread that comes down from heaven and gives life to the world.” ³⁴ “Sir,” they said, “always give us this bread.” ³⁵ Then Jesus declared, “I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never go hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty, John 6:32-35.

Biblical Connection:

Chuck Noland is the sole survivor of a plane crash, stranded on a remote island in the Pacific Ocean. Thinking about his wife by opening up a locket with her picture inside, Chuck does everything in his power to survive until he is rescued. Unfortunately, no one comes to save Chuck, so he builds a raft, studies the tides and sets out to sea when a freighter spots him.

Jesus addresses physical and spiritual needs which bring life to human beings. Beyond the obvious of food and drink, Jesus provides a foreshadowing to the words of John 10:10. The abundant life isn’t about the daily fight for survival. Rather, the abundant life is how God designed human beings to spend their days on earth.

Closing Song:

Daily routines can lull Christians into sleep spiritually if you are not careful. The will to survive is only half the battle in life. Fighting the father of all lives who seeks to steal your joy like a spiritual thief requires the armor of God to stand your ground.

by Jay Mankus