Tag Archives: 1-samuel

Engaging Our Culture: May 22-Probability and Statistics Doesn’t Always Tell the Real Story

Video of the Day: Clip from the 2007 movie “Day After Tomorrow”

Bible Verse of the Day:

A champion named Goliath, who was from Gath, came out of the Philistine camp. His height was six cubits and a span.[a] He had a bronze helmet on his head and wore a coat of scale armor of bronze weighing five thousand shekels[b]on his legs he wore bronze greaves, and a bronze javelin was slung on his back. His spear shaft was like a weaver’s rod, and its iron point weighed six hundred shekels.[c] His shield bearer went ahead of him, 1 Samuel 17:4-7.

Biblical Connection:

Sam is the son of Jack Hall, a leading paleoclimatologist who warned political leaders of a global warming worst-case scenario. While on his way with college teammates to New York City for an academic competition, a severe storm triggers Sam’s fear of flying. Noticing Sam’s anxious behavior, a teammate uses probability and statistics to ease his growing concerns.

From the tale of the tape, Goliath stood 2.97 meters tall, roughly 9 feet 9 inches. Able to easily lift several hundred pounds, no Israeli soldier dared to accept Goliath’s daily challenge. This left a thin 6 feet shepherd boy as the only challenger. The size and strength of Goliath put David at an extreme disadvantage. Yet, when God is on your side, anything is possible.

Closing Song:

If you continue to listen to the doomsday scenarios laid out by environmentalists, you’ll be restless like the lyrics of today’s song. However, if you do your own research by studying history, you’ll find that the years following major volcanic eruptions are the coldest on record. Meanwhile, tectonic plates are pushing the east coast of the United States into the Atlantic Ocean little by little each year. Add in solar flares sent toward earth from the sun, you’ll find that the Hollywood version of global warming omits and suppresses key scientific data from the Day After Tomorrow. As the apostle Paul urges in 1 Thessalonians 5:19-22, test everything and cling to what is good.

by Jay Mankus

Engaging Our Culture: May 14-I Don’t Know How… But God Does

Video of the Day: Clip from the 1981 movie “The Raiders of the Lost Ark”

Bible Verse of the Day:

After the Philistines had captured the ark of God, they took it from Ebenezer to Ashdod. Then they carried the ark into Dagon’s temple and set it beside Dagon. When the people of Ashdod rose early the next day, there was Dagon, fallen on his face on the ground before the ark of the Lord! They took Dagon and put him back in his place. But the following morning when they rose, there was Dagon, fallen on his face on the ground before the ark of the Lord! His head and hands had been broken off and were lying on the threshold; only his body remained. That is why to this day neither the priests of Dagon nor any others who enter Dagon’s temple at Ashdod step on the threshold, 1 Samuel 5:1-5.

Biblical Connection:

The Raiders of the Lost Ark takes place before World War II. To prevent the Nazis from obtaining the extraordinary powers of the Ark of the Covenant detailed in the Bible, the United States government hires historian Indiana Jones to find this first. Although Jones does fulfill his goal, the Germany army was too powerful, stealing his treasure before taking the Ark to an isolated island where this could be opened.

According to the prophet Samuel, Indiana Jones wasn’t the first raider of the Ark of the Covenant. The Philistines captured the Ark of the Covenant following a victory over the Israelites in 1 Samuel 4:10-11. Just like the supernatural outpouring magnified by special effects in this Indiana Jones film, the Philistines witnessed the power of God firsthand. The Philistines god Dagon was brought to his knees twice in 48 hours, eventually breaking this man-made idol into pieces. I don’t know how this happened, but it did.

Closing Song:

The Bible states that Christians must walk by faith, not by sight. While you may not fully comprehend or understand the power of God, this supernatural power exists. Faith is trusting in God as our prayers are answered and explained over the course of our lives, not always knowing how God works behind the scenes.

by Jay Mankus

Engaging Our Culture: March 19-The Story of a Real Champion

Video of the Day: Trailor of EPSN 30 for 30 “Scott”

Bible Verse of the Day:

When they arrived, Samuel saw Eliab and thought, “Surely the Lord’s anointed stands here before the Lord.” But the Lord said to Samuel, “Do not consider his appearance or his height, for I have rejected him. The Lord does not look at the things people look at. People look at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart,” 1 Samuel 16:6-7.

Biblical Connection:

Every so often, ESPN will transition from covering star athletes to human interest stories. On the surface, certain individuals may not overwhelm you with their appearance, personality or talents. Yet, as you observe, pay attention to and witness special qualities, you become intrigued by this person. This internal energy, joy and spirit may even elicit a desire deep inside of you to want whatever this boy possesses. This is an introduction to today’s video clip entitled Scott.

David was the youngest brother in a large family. Based upon the words of Samuel, David was a scrawny teenager who was assigned the lowly daily chore of watching over his father’s sheep. Growing up in this humble setting forced David to place his trust in the Lord to protect these sheep while he was asleep. Psalm 18:36 reveals that David even prayed, asking God to protect his ankles from being sprained or twisted from hilly/rocky terrain. This is the upbringing that slowly transformed David into a man after God’s own heart.

Closing Song:

Whenever I’ve tried to fill my life with temporary pleasures on earth, it doesn’t take long for my soul to become filled with emptiness. May today’s blog and song inspire you to run toward God, coming back into your heavenly father’s arms, Luke 15:20.

by Jay Mankus