Tag Archives: Australia

Noah: An Accurate Movie or A Mockery?

From 1999 t0 2002, I spent time researching, visiting and interviewing staff of upscale public golf facilities for Travel Golf Media.  Whether I was reviewing a grand opening, the newest teaching series or latest theory on the game of golf, I approached  each project with an open mind.  Although I hoped to write a positive message, I maintained a high journalistic standard, giving an honest assessment of what I experienced, read and saw.  Subsequently, I made enemies and friends through each review which leads me to Paramount’s 2014 depiction of the biblical account of Noah opening this Friday.

Starring Russell Crowe as Noah and Emma Watson, its apparent that revisionist historians, naturalistic scientists and environmentalists combined to make a mockery of the Bible.  If you read the first 8 chapters of Genesis and view this film, its clear the writers of the script disregarded Deuteronomy 4:2, adding modern theories into ancient texts.  When you consider the introduction of rock people, a righteous man who hates mankind, wanting to kill them and combine this with a “The Day After Tomorrow” mentality, Jews, Christians and historians will leave theaters disappointed.  Unless you enjoy bad humor, most religious people will walk away shaking their heads wondering how Hollywood could miss the point of this classic true story.

The rationale for my critic is based upon real science, proven by archeology and supported by the Bible.

1. Noah lived on earth during the days of Pangaea, Genesis 1:9-10, a giant continent surrounded by oceans.

2. The initial climate on Pangaea in the days of Noah do not contain rain, Genesis 2:5, consistent with the Open Canopy Theory, slowing down the aging process, Genesis 5:1-32, creating an environment for dinosaurs to thrive, explaining why fossils have been found in polar regions.

3. The people in Noah’s time thought he was crazy, since streams watered the earth, Genesis 2:6, making rain unnecessary, as the world was busy indulging in sins of pleasure, Genesis 6:5-7.

4. Thus, the Lord found favor in Noah, choosing him to build an ark, Genesis 6:8-17, using the forests God created in Genesis 1:11-12.

5. Noah spent years following God’s instructions, Genesis 7:5, fervently preparing for the first day of rain.

6. Prior to the atmospheric change, tectonic plates began to shift, creating a series of earthquakes as geysers erupted throughout the continent, Genesis 7:11, marking the end of Pangaea, gradually breaking away into 7 distinct continents, opening areas for rain water to recede.

7. Finally, rain fell from the sky, Genesis 7:12, as flood gates from the new atmosphere led to a global flood.

8. As the temperature changed to our current conditions, water receding in the polar regions froze, establishing the first ice age on earth.

Don’t just take my word on these issues.  Go see Noah if you have the money, read the first 9 chapters of the Bible and research this information, coming to your own conclusion, Matthew 9:12.

I look forward to reading your comments, opinions and thoughts on Noah, the Bible and reflections on your own worldview.

by Jay Mankus

 

Blocking Yourself

On November 26th, 2013 something unusual was caught on film during an NCAA college football game between the University of Florida and Georgia Southern.  If it wasn’t bad enough losing to a I-AA football team, a replay revealed 2 Gator offensive lineman were actually blocking each other as if their eyes were closed on one play.  When the national media got a hold of this clip, these 2 players were further embarrassed, weekly making ESPN’s Not Top 10 low lights.  Blocking yourself or in this case you own teammate ranks up their with Mark Sanchez’s butt fumble, returned by the New England Patriots for a touchdown during the 2012 NFL regular season, a legendary not top 10 moment in sports.

In basketball, players are allowed to set picks, also known as screens to help others get open.  As long as an individual has set their feet without moving, the play is legal.  However, when someone get’s careless or sloppy with their body position, the play is deemed illegal as a foul is called resulting in a turnover or foul shots.  Unfortunately, life is filled with examples of blocking yourself.  The loud mouth often talks too much, ruining their reputation with uncalled for remarks.  The gossiper can’t resist the temptation of distorting the truth, caught up in a web of lies that will one day explode in their face.  Meanwhile, negative people will lose favor among co-workers, family and neighbors limiting their full potential on earth.

From a spiritual perspective, Christians and non-Christians alike regularly block God from pouring out his blessings.  According to Jesus’ earthly brother, complaining, grumbling and impatience serve as a barrier between God and mankind, James 5:8-9.  Furthermore, any unwholesome comment that comes out of your mouth grieves the Holy Spirit, Ephesians 4:29.  Instead of blaming God for your misfortune, get out of the way or you will continue blocking yourself from obtaining God’s promises in the Bible, Jeremiah 29:10.  Although its hard to admit, often I’m my worst enemy, getting in the Holy Spirit’s way with self conceit, Galatians 5:25-26.  May this blog inspire you to reflect, pondering if anything is causing you to block yourself from God?  Whenever something comes to mind, please leave a comment below to help others in life’s journey.

by Jay Mankus

       

The Greatest Closer of All Time

To close refers to someone or something that is finished, like turning a page, closing the door or finalizing a deal to complete what you started.  In baseball, a closer is suppose to end a game, seal the deal and hold the lead so that victory is preserved.  Names such as Mariano Rivera, Dennis Eckersley and Lee Smith come to my mind as the greatest ever.  However, you don’t have to play baseball to be the greatest closer of all time.

According to Psalm 37:39-40, the Lord must be considered into this conversation.  Although distant at times, God fulfills His promise to deliver, rescue and save those who trust in Him.  The Bible is filled with testimonials of the Lord’s attributes as a closer, Philippians 1:6.  One unidentified witness claims faith is the main obstacle which is preventing many from coming to this conclusion, Hebrews 11:6.  Just when you thought Jesus was going to let you down, He escaped the grips of death to save all of mankind from sin, 1 Corinthians 15:54-57.

In this current age of instant information, negative stories often steal the headlines, highlighting the demise of a once famous star.  When the spotlight is turned off, passing the torch to the next best candidate, father time has a rather cruel way of pushing elite individuals to the curb.  Despite this harsh reality, Jesus remains the same, Hebrews 13:8.  Therefore, if you’re tired of letting victories slip through your fingers, turn to the greatest closer of all time, who has secured an eternal place for His followers, John 14:1-3.

Please feel free to share anything you need a “closer” for or a prayer request.

by Jay Mankus

Never Satisfied

Back in January, days before my sledding accident, I had planned on giving up watching television during Lent. I was going through one of those phases in life where I sought to make history, not watch it happen. Thus, I pressed on to complete the writing on my second movie script, Behind the Devil’s Door.  Everything was moving forward as schedule until that one fateful day, January 29th.

My initial rib injury prevented me from sleeping more than an hour or so at a time, leaving me exhausted, unable to receive the rest I needed.  Ten days later, the force of a sneeze at work altered the blood flow of my internal bleeding, unknown to me, leading to several weeks of bed rest after a 4 day visit to the hospital.  Distraught, I took the advice of a relative who suggested to relax and enjoy the 2014 Winter Olympics which had just begun.  Beside listening to music, reading and writing, I didn’t have many options stuck in my downstairs recliner to avoid steps.

I don’t care if you have 1000 channels to observe daily, sooner or later you’ll be bored out of your mind, never fully satisfied by the entertainment on the big screen.  As a relatively active person, staying idle at home left me craving something more meaningful in life.  After watching the entire first season of Joan of Arcadia, I became restless longing for traces of God in Hollywood, but I was left disappointed.  To fill this void, I won’t be satisfied until the vision God has given me for my second script is complete, Philippians 1:6.

What vision or dream has God given you? Please leave a comment.

by Jay Mankus
        

Slip Proof

Whether you’re driving a car in wintry weather, trying to walk on a slippery surface or seek to keep a conversation clean with children ease dropping, its impossible to guarantee a slip proof day.  You may have good intentions, yet how can you be so sure that you won’t misstep, stumble and fall?  Daily obstacles await individuals, like potholes that can lead to blunders, errors or gaffes if you’re not paying careful attention.

Despite these odds, there was a king who suggested another way.  Psalm 37:31 contains a plan that is slip proof, demonstrated by a man after God’s own heart.  The key is to hide the words of the Bible in your heart, meditating on God’s laws as an honor student hungers for straight A’s, Psalm 119:7-9.  Once the mind is transformed, Romans 12:2, a slip proof day isn’t out of the equation.  This is the goal set out for people to strive for, Matthew 5:48.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lqCscB07reE

Slipping often occurs in 3 ways: physically, mentally and spiritually.  Physically slipping could be an accident or a byproduct of poor judgment.  Perhaps, this may explain the apostle Paul’s warning to believers in Corinth, 2 Corinthians 10:3-5.  Compromise is conceived in minds, trying to convince souls to alter their values.  If an Eve like moment occurs, a mental weakness produces a spiritual slip known as sin.  Whenever you reach this point, go back to the drawing board, remember David’s words in Psalm 37:31 to regain a slip proof footing.

Do you have a stategy for avoiding “slips”? If so, please share.

 

by Jay Mankus

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Inhabitation of Praise

Words such as dwell, live or reside highlight what it means to inhabit a geographical location.  Yet, you can be present in one place and be void of contentment, enthusiasm and joy.  Thus, modern homes often consist of silence, an obvious sign that something is missing or wrong.  Perhaps, this empty space needs to be replaced by an inhabitation of praise.

It doesn’t take a doctor to recognize the gleeful from those swamped by the worries of life.  Whether you’re dining out at a restaurant, shopping at the mall or walking through a park, those inhabited by anger, bitterness and strife stick out like a sore thumb.  The wake left behind by these troubled souls can impact those leaning on the fence, pondering their next move.

The apostle Paul describes an internal battle that persists daily in Galatians 5:16-18.  Natural inclinations persuade individuals to gratify their own sinful desires, to indulge in those things that bring pleasure.  Unfortunately, these feelings last briefly, before fear, guilt and shame take over.  Therefore, to achieve an abundant life, John 10:1o, you must experience a complete transformation, Romans 12:1-2, before an inhabitation of praise becomes a reality.

by Jay Mankus

Sending Blessings into a Deserted Faith

On March 2nd, 2010, the residents of Lajamanu, Australia must have felt like they dreaming when perch began to fall from the sky.  Located 400 miles south of Darwin in Australia’s Northern Territory, this remote desert town is several hundred miles from the nearest body of water.  However, on this day, a water spout likely collected these fish, sending them up into the atmosphere.  When the high winds finally died down, hundreds of spangled perch fell back to earth, most of them still alive.  This bizarre occurrence conjures up images of Jesus feeding 5,000 people in John 6:1-15.  Perhaps a similar weather system brought fish to the mountains of Israel after Jesus prayed.

According to Richard Shears, this might not be as far fetched as once thought.  Pliny the Elder wrote about storms that brought frogs and fish to the Middle East during the first century.  In 1794, near Lille, France, French soldiers witnessed toads falling from the sky during a heavy rain storm.  An unique weather front in Lake County, California brought 2 days of sugar crystals as big as quarters 60 years later.  Meanwhile, other reports include meat tasting like venison falling to earth over Kentucky in 1876, a Russia tornado raining coins from the 16th century and the most recent, raining blackbirds and pigeons over the skies of San Luis Opisbo, California during a 2 day storm in 1976.  Although, these events may not be entirely God ordained, it does give people hope that the Lord has the power to bring blessings into a deserted region.

 

The expression “all good things must come to an end on earth” is inaccurate, especially for those individuals who have not experienced or tasted goodness to this point in life.  Thus, misery loves company as the disappointed, failures and unfortunate revel in their negativity, suffocating anyone who wishes for sunny days ahead.  Maybe this is why the apostle Paul adds 1 Corinthians 15:33-34 to middle of his chapter on the resurrection.  If you surround yourself with doubting Thomas’, you will likely desert your beliefs.  Therefore, the best way to turn disbelief into faith is by coming to your senses, flee from sin and acknowledge the signs of a living God.  When this process is complete, the Lord has the power to send blessings into a previously deserted faith.

by Jay Mankus