Category Archives: truth

Engaging Our Culture: February 17-Love is Learning to Bear with One Another

Posted on February 17, 2025 by expressyourself4him

Video of the Day: Clip from 2007 film “National Treasure: Book of Secrets”

Bible Verse of the Day:

Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. 13 Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. 14 And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity, Colossians 3:12-14.

Biblical Connection:

Today’s clip is similar to a parental argument that you might encounter in public at a shopping mall. Rather than focus their attention on what they have in common, Jon Voight who plays Patrick Gates and Helen Mirren, now Emily Appleton, dwell on what caused this once happy couple to separate. As Nicolas Cage who plays Ben Gates and Diane Kruger as Abigal Chase seek their next clue, the root of bitterness causes the entire room to feel Patrick and Emily’s misery.

The apostle Paul writes Colossians to address false teachings and practices that began creeping into the belief system of members at the Church in Colosse. Inspired by the Holy Spirit, Paul begins his call to action by mentioning specific fruits of the Spirit to emulate in Galatians 5:22-23. This is followed by referencing the words of Jesus during the Sermon on the Mount, Matthew 6:14-15. Until you learn to forgive those who have hurt you, you won’t be able to bear with and love bitter individuals.

Closing Song:

If today’s message finds you struggling to forgive and love others, perhaps learning from former pillars of the faith is where you need to begin, Hebrews 11. May the lyrics of today’s son conceive in you a heart filled with forgiveness, love and mercy.

by Jay Mankus

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Engaging Our Culture: February 16-Walking in Truth

Posted on February 16, 2025 by expressyourself4him

Video of the Day: Clip from the 1993 film “Dave”

Bible Verse of the Day:

This is the message we have heard from him and declare to you: God is light; in him there is no darkness at all. 6 If we claim to have fellowship with him and yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not live out the truth. 7 But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin, 1 John 1:5-7.

Biblical Connection:

Kevin Kline is an unlikely presidential candidate, playing Dave Kovac, a Temp Agency operator. However, after being recruited by the secret service to fill in as momentary stand-in for the President of the United States, Dave not only looks like the president but begins to emulate his mannerisms. When the real president suffers a severe stroke, Dave is hired full time as a figure head behind the scenes until the real president recovers. Frank Langella plays Chief of Staff, Bob Alexander, using Dave to elevate himself into the White House. After personal interactions with the first lady, Sigourney Weaver, conviction leads Dave to fake his own stroke in today’s clip.

The Book of 1 John was written to address false teaching at the end of the first century. The disciple whom Jesus loved; the son of Zebedee sought to address Gnosticism by reassuring Christians of their faith and love in Jesus. Gnostic doctrine taught that the world was created and ruled by a lesser divinity, not the God of the Bible. Subsequently, John uses imagery of light and darkness to correct anyone who had been deceived by this new teaching which spread throughout the church in the second century. Walking in the truth of the Bible means to maintain fellowship with God by bearing spiritual fruit, Galatians 5:22-23. Lying is a byproduct of walking in darkness. If you really love someone, stop pretending to be someone else and be the person God designed you to be.

Closing Song:

As the father of all lies, John 8:44, seeks to pull you further away from God into darkness, don’t let the light of Christ inside of your heart be snuffed out. Rather, may a spirit of confession prompt you to begin walking in the truth and love of Jesus.

by Jay Mankus

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Engaging Our Culture: February 15-True Friends Help One Another

Posted on February 15, 2025 by expressyourself4him

Video of the Day: Clip from the 2003 film “Finding Nemo”

Bible Verse of the Day:

As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another, Proverbs 27:17.

Biblical Connection:

Albert Brooks plays Marlin, a single father who raises Nemo, Alexander Gould, a clownfish with a birth defect. This animation follows the journey of Marlin and Dory, Ellen DeGeneres, after Nemo is scooped up by underwater divers. When Dory discovers the address of this finishing vessel from a mask that falls into the sea, Nemo is eager to do whatever it takes to find his son Nemo. Upon reaching Sydney, Australia, Marlin thinks he witnessed Nemo’s death, swimming away in disappointment. This is the context of today’s scene.

The word proverb is derived from the Hebrew root word which when translated into English means to be like. King Solomon, son of David, writes most of the Proverbs in this Old Testament book. Proverbs are short sayings designed to express a universal truth to promote godly living. Solomon uses the imagery of iron being sharpened when it becomes dull. True friendship has a reciprocal relationship where individuals often challenge one another, working together to hold one another accountable. For friendships that last the test of time, we become better people because of this friend.

Closing Song:

Today’s song is about a man praying for a struggling brother. When a friendship begins to fall apart, praying is a spiritual weapon that God uses to help sharpen prodigal children come to their senses by repenting. May today’s message inspire you to reconcile with friends of your past.

by Jay Mankus

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Engaging Our Culture: February 14-Love in Action

Posted on February 14, 2025 by expressyourself4him

Video of the Day: Clip from the drama series “The Chosen”

Bible Verse of the Day:

When Jesus saw him lying there and learned that he had been in this condition for a long time, he asked him, “Do you want to get well?” 7 “Sir,” the invalid replied, “I have no one to help me into the pool when the water is stirred. While I am trying to get in, someone else goes down ahead of me.” 8 Then Jesus said to him, “Get up! Pick up your mat and walk.” 9 At once the man was cured; he picked up his mat and walked, John 5:6-9.

I have spent most of my life on earth living between Philadelphia and Baltimore. Unlike my experience living in the south, urban sprawl continues as far as the human eye can see, creating a metropolis. Whenever I crossed major intersections, there was normally one homeless person standing out in the cold, begging for money. In my college days, I would occasionally buy one of these individuals a meal at McDonald’s before moving on with the rest of my day. Unfortunately, as an adult, I pass by without stopping, avoiding eye contact.

As Jesus walks through Jerusalem near the Sheep Gate, he wasn’t in a rush as he approaches a pool. Showing compassion on this one man, he takes time to get to know this invalid. According to legend, this pool possessed healing powers. When angels stirred the water, the first people to reach the water was healed. However, Jesus wanted to make sure this man knew the source of his healing, belief and faith in God. Thirty-eight years of doubt and unbelief kept this man in this pathetic condition. Yet, one leap of faith altered the course of this man’s life.

Closing Song:

Don’t be fooled by the commercialism of Valentine’s Day. Love isn’t showering your significant other with expensive gifts. Rather genuine love is loving someone more than you love yourself, by being vulnerable. However, when you celebrate tonight, make sure your love is displayed through fruits of the Holy Spirit, Galatians 5:22-23.

by Jay Mankus

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Engaging Our Culture: February 13-The Language of Love

Posted on February 13, 2025 by expressyourself4him

Video of the Day: Clip from the 1989 film “Dead Poets Society”

Bible Verse of the Day:

“You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled underfoot.14 “You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden,” Matthew 5:13-14.

Biblical Connection:

Dead Poets Society was filmed at nearby St. Andrews School in Middletown, Delaware while I was a student at the University of Delaware. As a former Poetry teacher at the High Scope Institute for Ideas in West Virginia, this movie holds a special place in my heart. Robin Williams is John Keating who returns to the prestigious boarding school that he attended. Rather than teach from a book, Keating leaves these hallowed halls to instill poetry as a way of life. Keating’s cutting edge active learning techniques inspire some of his students to restart the legendary Dead Poets Society.

Today’s scene urges students in Keating’ Poetry class to reflect upon what verse of poetry do they want to leave behind as their legacy. Jesus teaches a similar concept to a first century audience. However, the Sermon on the Mount begins with attitudes and qualities valued by God. When these beatitudes are demonstrated and lived out, God blesses those individuals who encapsulate specific biblical traits. Today’s featured Bible passages serve as a transition in Jesus’ sermon. As the salt of the earth and light of the world, love should naturally flow out of a Christian’s life. If a mouth speaks out of the overflow of one’s heart, Luke 6:45, let your heart be filled with God’s love.

Closing Song:

As you prepare for Valentine’s Day, take some time to fill your heart with God’s Word so that the love of Jesus will begin to naturally flow out of your heart via encouraging and uplifting words.

by Jay Mankus

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Engaging Our Culture: February 12-Learning to Love Broken People

Posted on February 12, 2025 by expressyourself4him

Video of the Day: Clip from the 2002 film “Joshua”

Bible Verse of the Day:

The righteous cry out, and the Lord hears them; he delivers them from all their troubles.
18 The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit, Psalm 34:17-18.

Biblical Connection:

The 2002 film Joshua addresses a hypothetical, “what if a resurrected Jesus suddenly appears in your small town?” When a stranger named Joshua rolls into town one morning, Auburn begins to be touched by a modern-day spiritual leader. Serving as an artist, carpenter and potter, encounters with Joshua start the healing process for battered and broken souls who call Auburn home. Rather than pointing attention to himself, Joshua interacts with all members of this community, loving broken and calloused individuals like the woman in today’s scene.

The prophet Samuel referred to David as a man after God’s own heart. Despite his imperfections and sinful desires highlighted in 2 Samuel 11 and 12, David often poured out his heart to God in prayer. On one occasion David pretended to be insane before the King of Shechem. Following his departure, David wrote Psalm 34. One of the keys to a powerful prayer is claiming God’s promises to come to fruition in your own life. Perhaps, the words of today’s Bible verse aren’t just for you. Rather, David cries out to the Lord for his own healing for a broken heart and crushed spirit.

Closing Prayer:

If you find yourself broken hearted, crushed or devastated by an unforeseen trial in 2025, pray the words of King David to find healing for your soul.

by Jay Mankus

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Engaging Our Culture: February 11-The Relationship between Grace and Love

Posted on February 11, 2025 by expressyourself4him

Video of the Day: Clip from 2015 film “The War Room”

Bible Verse of the Day:

You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly. 7 Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous person, though for a good person someone might possibly dare to die. 8 But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us, Romans 5:6-8.

Biblical Connection:

The War Room follows a successful couple with a great future, but appearances can be deceiving. Adults have a knack of projecting a positive outlook externally, but on the inside are afraid to let others know that they’re hanging on by a thread. Karen Abercrombie is Clara Williams, an elderly woman who begins to mentor Elizabeth Jordan, Priscilla Shirer. When Elizabeth and her husband Tony (T.C. Stallings) begin to drift apart, Clara introduces the concept of a spiritual war room. This closet is where Clara meets with God, pours out her heart and wages war through prayer against demonic forces in the spiritual realm, Ephesians 6:12. However, prayer is only effective when Christians begin to forgive those who have hurt them.

The apostle Paul lays out the spiritual condition present inside of all human beings. Two chapters earlier in Romans 3:9-12, Paul references the words of Moses about mankind’s failure to follow God’s commands. As Clara uncovers Elizabeth’s reluctance to forgive her own husband, she points to today’s Bible passage. God didn’t send His one and only son, Jesus, to die on a cross because we deserve this loving act. Rather, God sent Jesus to die on a cross, while we were still sinners. The disciple whom Jesus loved expresses this act of grace and love in John 3:16-17. Jesus didn’t come to condemn the world, but to save the world through Jesus. This is the relationship between God’s grace and love.

Closing Song:

May the words of Thank God I’m Not Jesus help illustrate the relationship between God’s grace and love.

by Jay Mankus

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Engaging Our Culture: February 10-Displaying a Sincere Love

Posted on February 10, 2025 by expressyourself4him

Video of the Day: Scene from the 1984 film “Footloose”

Bible Verse of the Day:

 We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us. If your gift is prophesying, then prophesy in accordance with your[a] faith; 7 if it is serving, then serve; if it is teaching, then teach; 8 if it is to encourage, then give encouragement; if it is giving, then give generously; if it is to lead,[b] do it diligently; if it is to show mercy, do it cheerfully. 9 Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. 10 Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves, Romans 12:6-10.

Biblical Connection:

When Ren McCormick played by Kevin Bacon relocates from Chicago to the small rural town of Bomont, Utah, he experiences a culture shock. A local pastor, John Lithgow as Reverend Shaw, bans rock music, making it illegal for Ren to play his favorite music in his car. As an outsider, Ren doesn’t stop fighting for what he believes, taking new friends outside of town to share his love for dancing. As Ren continues to rub locals the wrong way, he finds himself fighting a losing battle until the Reverend’s daughter Ariel, Lori Singer, comes into his life. Ariel’s knowledge of the Bible and Ren’s dream for a senior prom team up to eventually achieve their goal.

There are various personalities which comprise every church and high school. At some point, strong personalities will butt heads, clash and seek to persuade the masses toward their line of thinking. However, when a leader comes along and provides a vision that others can get behind, churches and schools will unite. This is where the apostle Paul speaks to the Church at Rome, explaining that everyone has a role based upon your God given gift and talents. Once you discover where you belong in a church or school setting, God can and will accomplish great things through you. However, when disagreements arise, love must be genuine and sincere.

Closing Song:

When you experience special moments in life like a prom or special church event that was pulled off due to the hard work of countless individuals, give thanks to God. Never grow tired of displaying a sincere love.

by Jay Mankus

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Engaging Our Culture: February 9-Passing on Love to the Next Generation

Posted on February 9, 2025 by expressyourself4him

Video of the Day: Scene from the 1994 film “Forrest Gump”

Bible Verse of the Day:

This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers and sisters. 17 If anyone has material possessions and sees a brother or sister in need but has no pity on them, how can the love of God be in that person? 18 Dear children, let us not love with words or speech but with actions and in truth, 1 John 3:16-18.

Biblical Connection:

Tom Hanks is Forrest Gump, a momma’s boy whose life is woven into historic events. Despite his disabilities and social disfunctions, Forrest spends every moment that he can with his only friend Jenny, Robin Wright. As Jenny leaves Alabama and goes off on her own to find love and peace, Forrest never stops writing. When their paths cross, Forrest always defends and protects the only girl he’s ever known and loved. When Jenny gets sick, she comes back home to spend her final days with Forrest.

Today’s Bible author was given a special nickname by Jesus in Mark 3:17, Boanerges. John was one of the sons of thunder as well as the disciple whom Jesus loved. As John writes letters to first century Christians scattered throughout the world following Nero’s persecution in Rome, today’s passage mirrors Jesus’ words in John 3:16-17. As John writes to correct false teachers about God’s character and nature, genuine love lays down their lives for others. John understood this as he outlived all other disciples, the upcoming generation needed to know the love of Jesus. Just as Forrest prays to his dead wife for direction, Christians must show the love of Jesus to the next generation.

Closing Song:

The only way to pass on God’s love to the next generation is to be personally transformed by the love of Jesus.

by Jay Mankus

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Engaging Our Culture: February 8-Crippling Your Capacity to Love

Posted on February 8, 2025 by expressyourself4him

Video of the Day: Scene from the 2017 film “The Shack”

Bible Verse of the Day:

And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors.13 And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one.14 For if you forgive other people when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. 15 But if you do not forgive others their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins, Matthew 6:12-15.

Biblical Connection:

A weekend of camping for a man and his three children turns into a living nightmare. Sam Worthington plays Mack Phillips, a grieving man who receives a mysterious invitation to meet with God. The location where God wants to me is a shack in the middle of the wilderness. Unfortunately, the shack just happens to be the place where his daughter Missy was abducted and murdered. When a root of bitterness takes hold of Mack’s heart, his ability to love is crippled.

The words of today’s featured passage come from the middle of Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount. After teaching about the spiritual discipline of fasting, Jesus turns his attention toward prayer. Rather than overwhelm His audience, Jesus provides a basic outline on topics that you should cover as you pray. Immediately following this prayer, Jesus throws a curve to this crowd about forgiveness. If you don’t forgive others, God won’t forgive you. There are plenty of Mack Phillips that you’ll encounter in life, struggling to recover from a shocking trial that has shaken and tattered their faith.

Closing Song:

Bart Millard endured a rough upbringing which inspired the film I Can Only Image. May the lyrics of this song help you or someone you love who has been crippled by a devasting trial in their life.

by Jay Mankus

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