Category Archives: truth

Engaging Our Culture: March 9-You Reap What You Sow

Posted on March 9, 2025 by expressyourself4him

Video of the Day: Clip from the 2006 film “The Winning Season”

Bible Verse of the Day:

Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows. 8 Whoever sows to please their flesh, from the flesh will reap destruction; whoever sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life, Galatians 6:7-8.

Biblical Connection:

Defeat, embarrassment and failure often serve as a wakeup call to individuals who endure this cruel fate. In today’s scene, Sam Rockwell plays Bill, a novice girls’ basketball coach who addresses his team following a humiliating blowout loss. Trying to avoid a similar result in the future, Bill challenges his players to take basketball more seriously. Yet, from a human nature standpoint, a couple of players mention other things in life which are more important than basketball.

As a former high school basketball coach in Indiana, it’s easy to see who lives and breathes basketball from those with other priorities in life. In the middle of the first century, the apostle Paul writes to the Church at Galatia who allowed a religious sect known as the Judaizers to infiltrate and negatively influence their church. Whether you’re playing basketball or seeking to elevate your faith, you reap what you sow. Until you start taking something seriously, God will not honor half-hearted and lukewarm efforts.

Closing Song:

Improving in any area of your life requires dedication, discipline and self-control. While some individuals are more blessed than others, going through the motions will eventually catch up with you. May today’s devotion motivate you to start sowing the spiritual fruits in Galatians 5:22-23.

by Jay Mankus

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Engaging Our Culture: March 8-From Harvard, to the NBA and into Ministry

Posted on March 8, 2025 by expressyourself4him

Video of the Day: Clip from 2012 ESPN mini documentary “The Jeremy Lin Phenomenon”

Bible Verse of the Day:

But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect, 16 keeping a clear conscience, so that those who speak maliciously against your good behavior in Christ may be ashamed of their slander, 1 Peter 3:15-16.

Biblical Connection:

Most Harvard students make six figure salaries shortly after graduating. After going undrafted, Jeremy Lin put a typical financial career on hold, taking a chance as a free agent in the National Basketball Association. The New York Knicks took a chance on Jeremy after a couple of injuries to players in their starting lineup. Serving as a reserve off the bench, something magical happened, a gift from above that opened the door for a craze known as Linsanity.

Following this Cinderella story book reality, playing 9 seasons with 8 different teams, Jeremy Lin has transitioned into an inspirational speaker, sharing his faith all around the world. Throughout Jeremy’s success, he remained humble, applying the words of one of Jesus’ disciples. Whether this was part of a post-game press conference or an interview for a media personality, Lin became a living ambassador for Jesus Christ. May Jeremy’s faith inspire you to have your own faith journey ready when the Holy Spirit gives you an opportunity to share your testimony.

Closing Song:

Every believer has a story to tell, Galatians 1:11-24. The apostle Paul breaks a Christian testimony into 3 parts: your life before entering a personal relationship with Jesus, how and why you entered into this relationship and how God has transformed your life since. This is a Christian’s blessed assurance.

by Jay Mankus

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Engaging Our Culture: March 7-Learning to Trust Your Teammates

Posted on March 7, 2025 by expressyourself4him

Video of the Day: Clip from the 2009 film “Mighty Mac”

Bible Verse of the Day:

Blessed is the one who does not walk in step with the wicked or stand in the way that sinners take or sit in the company of mockers,2 but whose delight is in the law of the Lord, and who meditates on his law day and night.3 That person is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither—Psalm 1:1-3.

Biblical Connection:

Mighty Mac is the basketball equivalent of the classic film Sister Act. A tiny girls’ Catholic college without a gym and in danger of being sold is revitalized by basketball coach Cathy Rush. Immaculata College in Philadelphia finds their coach just before the season begins as Cathy leaves a truncated playing career for a new calling as a coach. Testing her players before practice, Coach Rush sends a clear message: success on the court comes from learning to trust your teammates.

College was designed as a place of higher education in the United States. When I was young, growing up in public schools, I was taught that if you wanted to be successful in life, you had to earn a college degree. However, the Psalmist corrects this ungodly belief. Knowledge comes from reading and studying the Bible, Proverbs 1:7. When people of faith begin to delight in the laws of the Bible, leaders are formed on and off the basketball court, resulting in spiritual blessings.

Closing Song:

Trusting people is one of those difficult aspects in life, especially if you’ve experienced disappointment and pain from former friends. May the lyrics of today’s song help you learn to trust your spiritual teammates at church, home and or school.

by Jay Mankus

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Engaging Our Culture: March 6-Taking Humility in Stride

Posted on March 6, 2025 by expressyourself4him

Video of the Day: Clip from the 2023 film “Stephen Curry: Underrated

Bible Verse of the Day:

The prudent see danger and take refuge, but the simple keep going and pay the penalty. 4 Humility is the fear of the Lord; its wages are riches and honor and life, Proverbs 22:3-4.

Biblical Connection:

Once a decade on average, NBA stars arise from an obscure small college. Larry Bird went to Indiana State, Scottie Pippen from Central Arkansas and Stephen Curry Davidson. Today’s clip comes from Stephen’s first practice in college. When members of the media hype certain freshman players, they don’t always handle the pressure. Coach Bob McKillop tested Steph early on to see what he was made of internally. When a shining star is humbled, this serves as a wakeup call to see what areas you need to improve upon in order to become successful.

As a king blessed by God with great wisdom, Solomon writes Proverbs to impart self-discipline and understanding in life. This portion of the Bible serves as a warning against complacency by seeking refuge in God. Those who believe that they are strong enough to make it on their own will be humbled. Whether you’re a talented athletic, a confident professional or smart student, the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, Proverbs 1:7. How you respond to defeat, failure and losing in life will determine the degree of your future success.

Closing Song:

On the day I wrote this blog I received a rejection email for a job that matched my life experiences. There were many years in my life when I always received an interview, and job offer for the position that I desired. Yet, in the past 10 years, I find therapy in studying the Bible, helping me take humility in stride.

by Jay Mankus

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Engaging Our Culture: March 5-When Parents Live their Lives Through Their Children

Posted on March 5, 2025 by expressyourself4him

Video of the Day: Clip from the 1998 film “He Got Game”

Bible Verse of the Day:

Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. 2 “Honor your father and mother”—which is the first commandment with a promise— 3 “so that it may go well with you and that you may enjoy long life on the earth.”[a] 4 Fathers,[b] do not exasperate your children; instead, bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord, Ephesians 6:2-4.

Biblical Connection:

Denziel Washington plays Jake Shuttlesworth, a proud father of the most talented young basketball player in the nation. Unfortunately, Jake ends up in prison for killing his wife in a violent family feud. As Jesus Shuttlesworth, Ryan Allen, grows up without a parent at home, Jake is left to writing letters to his son from a prison cell. When a judge has compassion on Jesus, Jake will have his sentenced reduced if he convinces Jesus to attend college rather than enter the NBA draft.

As a parent of three children, I understand the temptation of trying to live your life through your children. While coaching 4 different sports over 15 years, a few of my parents, fathers and mothers, pushed their children like Jake Shuttlesworth. However, when you’re a high school Bible teacher at a Christian school, there were times I was filled with conviction for exasperating my own children. As a parent, you should want the best your children, but you have to trust God to allow your children to take ownership of their own life.

Closing Song:

At some point in the last few years, I have transitioned from a parent to a life coach for my three children, now all in their twenties. As I pray for each one daily, I ask the Lord to fill them with leadership and maturity so that it is the Holy Spirit speaking and not an exasperating parent.

by Jay Mankus

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Engaging Our Culture: March 4-How Money Has Ruined Basketball

Posted on March 4, 2025 by expressyourself4him

Video of the Day: Clip from the 1994 film “Blue Chips”

(Viewer Discretion Advised as Nick Nolte curses a few times during a press conference)

Bible Verse of the Day:

Those who want to get rich fall into temptation and a trap and into many foolish and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction. 10 For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs, 1 Timothy 6:9-10.

Biblical Connection:

Nick Nolte plays Pete Bell, a college basketball who faces the temptation of ethics at a major division I school. Well before the modern era of NIL deals in college sports: Name, Image, Likeness, trying nationally to recruit the best athletes was like the wild, wild west. For decades, there were always rumors about boosters paying players behind the scenes to come to their school. This is the inspiration behind the film Blue Chips, using college basketball as a hypothetical to illustrate what it must have been like to recruit legendary players Shaquille O’Neal and Penny Hardaway. In today’s clip, Nolte reveals how money has ruined young basketball players.

For the last 2 months, I decided to leave out certain movie clips with questionable content. However, America has reached an era in which adults naturally speak without a filter. This causes countless individuals to curse in front of children, often taking the Lord’s name in vain or expressing inappropriate words. Nonetheless, Nolte’s honesty reveals what has happened to basketball 40 years later. Money doesn’t allow talented players to pursue basketball for the love of the game. Rather, AAU (Amateur Athletic Union) basketball teams have elevated borderline athletes into stars, forcing high schools and universities to pay them for their services. Subsequently, the love of money has altered many of the most talented basketball players asking, “what’s in it for me?”

Closing Song:

The moment athletes stop pursuing greatness until they get paid, souls are pierced with many kinds of griefs. Whatever your talents may be, do everything for the Lord, Colossians 3:17, so that you avoid being trapped by the love of money.

by Jay Mankus

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Engaging Our Culture: March 3-Laying Down the Foundation of Respect

Posted on March 3, 2025 by expressyourself4him

Video of the Day: Clip from the 1986 film “Hoosiers”

Bible Verse of the Day:

Similarly, encourage the young men to be self-controlled. 7 In everything set them an example by doing what is good. In your teaching show integrity, seriousness 8 and soundness of speech that cannot be condemned, so that those who oppose you may be ashamed because they have nothing bad to say about us, Titus 2:6-8.

Biblical Connection:

The film Hoosiers is based on the true story of a small-town Indiana high school team that makes the state championship in 1954. Gene Hackman plays Coach Norman Dale, a former college coach with a checkered past. A friend from Indiana gives Coach Dale a second chance with a team that can barely field a starting lineup. Today’s scene is Coach Dale’s first practice which doesn’t start off on a good note. Yet, when you lay down a foundation for respect, the players who remain will listen.

Titus was a young believer who the apostle Paul disciplined, mentioned in Titus 1:4. As a former mentor of high school students while in college, I attended a weekly accountability group where many of these teenagers struggled with self-control. Meanwhile, as a coach, you must be able to professionally demonstrate the skills you want implemented upon a basketball court. Until respect is established, your players won’t listen or be teachable. Respect begins by setting a good example.

Closing Song:

As a former coach and teacher, sometimes you have to cut or dismiss students from your team or class. This sends the message that you’re not fooling around by laying the foundation for respect.

by Jay Mankus

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Engaging Our Culture: March 2-Merit Based Coaching

Posted on March 2, 2025 by expressyourself4him

Video of the Day: Clip from the 2006 film “Glory Road”

Bible Verse of the Day:

Have nothing to do with godless myths and old wives’ tales; rather, train yourself to be godly. 8 For physical training is of some value, but godliness has value for all things, holding promise for both the present life and the life to come, 1 Timothy 4:7-8.

Biblical Connection:

Coach Don Haskins transitions from a girl’s high school coach in Fort Worth, Texas to a lowly Texas Western College coach with a limited budget in El Paso. Haskins coaches in an era where there was an unspoken rule which all basketball staffs were expected to follow. You had to have a minimum of two white players on the basketball court at all times. With 5 returning Hispanic and White players on his roster, today’s clip highlights one of Haskin’s recruiting trips across the country. Don’s goal was to find the best talented players in the country who happen to all be black. Coach Haskins was a visionary, and the first merit-based basketball coach in the history of the NCAA.

When you’re a young coach, there are plenty of social norms that you either aren’t aware of or don’t care about. As Glory Road follows the Miners basketball season, John Locus plays Don Haskins who learns these godless myths about black athletes on and off the court. The more Haskins is confronted, experiences and hears these old wives’ tales, he reaches a breaking point to end these ungodly beliefs once and for all. As a Christian, we are called to live in the world, but not of the world. While there isn’t anything in Glory Road about Coach Haskins faith, he possesses the Cardinal virtues of fortitude, temperance and justice, propelling his steps as a merit-based coach.

Closing Song:

From a Christian’s perspective, all have sinned and fallen short of God’s glory, Romans 3:23. Yet, when coaches strive to develop and train the best athletes, extradentary things happen.

by Jay Mankus

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Engaging Our Culture: March 1-You Were Born for a Purpose

Posted on March 1, 2025 by expressyourself4him

Video of the Day: Trailor from the 2023 film “Sweetwater”

Bible Verse of the Day:

Many are the plans in a person’s heart, but it is the Lord’s purpose that prevails, Proverbs 19:21.

Biblical Connection:

Historian Carter Woodson established Negro History Week back in 1926. Fifty years later, Carter’s concept evolved into what Americans now celebrate as Black History month. Last year, EPSN star Steven A. Smith spoke out about how limiting black history to just one month minimizes the accomplishments of great African men and women. Subsequently, as this new month has been labeled March Madness with the start of the NCAA basketball tournament, I wanted to highlight athletes like Nat “Sweetwater” Clifton who became the first black athlete to sign an NBA contract.

There is a scene in Sweetwater when Nathaniel’s mom takes her little boy and speaks a prophetic word into his life. While this clip refers to a higher purpose, no Bible verse is referenced. From a human perspective, talented high school and college athletes may envision a professional career, but injuries, poor decisions and unforeseen circumstances may alter the course of their lives. The words of King Solomon in Proverbs 19:21 provide perspective for aspiring individuals with big dreams. Whatever you may want in life, the Lord will lead you to the place where that God desires.

Closing Song:

As a former professional golfer who failed miserably while chasing my dream, the Lord led me to become a high school Bible teacher and golf coach for a decade. Therefore, today’s failures will guide you closer toward the Lord’s purpose. As you wrestle with defeat and humility, remember that God is not done with you.

by Jay Mankus

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Engaging Our Culture: February 28-Keeping Your Vow to Love

Posted on February 28, 2025 by expressyourself4him

Video of the Day: Clip from the 2012 film “The Vow”

Bible Verse of the Day:

Do not be quick with your mouth, do not be hasty in your heart to utter anything before God. God is in heaven, and you are on earth, so let your words be few. 3 A dream comes when there are many cares, and many words mark the speech of a fool. 4 When you make a vow to God, do not delay to fulfill it. He has no pleasure in fools; fulfill your vow, Ecclesiastes 5:2-4.

Biblical Connection:

Leo and Paige are a newly married couple whose relationship is put to the test when Paige experiences a severe car accident. When Paige awakes from coma, her memory of her husband and parents is forgotten. During Paige’s recovery she struggles to regain glimpses of her past. Despite wanting Paige to return to her rightful home with Leo, she’s persuaded to recover at her childhood home with her parents. As Paige searches to uncover questions from her past, Leo never forgets his vow to love Paige for better or for worse.

As an immature teenage boy, I confused like with love. Whenever I entered into a serious relationship, I carelessly told girls that I loved them. As I matured in college, I realized that love is an action, not just a word that you cling to. Subsequently, when I met my wife Leanne, I told her that I would never utter the word love unless I was willing to spend the rest of my life with her. This is the advice that King Solomon gives readers today. Don’t be hasty, loose or quick with your words. Rather, when you are ready to make a lifelong commitment, keep your vow to love.

Closing Song:

As a former high school Bible teacher, I talked to students about the will to love a future spouse. When a man develops and possesses a will to love, this mindset will persuade men to keep their vow to love. When you put God’s words into practice, this is the spiritual foundation that marriages need for surviving in today’s everchanging culture.

by Jay Mankus

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