Tag Archives: book-review

Engaging Our Culture: October 9-Misunderstandings about Love

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

Bible Verse of the Day:

“If anyone causes one of these little ones—those who believe in me—to stumble, it would be better for them to have a large millstone hung around their neck and to be drowned in the depths of the sea. Woe to the world because of the things that cause people to stumble! Such things must come, but woe to the person through whom they come! “- Matthew 18:6-7

Biblical Connection:

Forrest Gump is considered a cult classic from the 1990’s. Yet, the most horrifying aspect of this film is that Jenny was sexually abused as a child. Even as an adult, Jenny still has not recovered from her virginity lost and stolen as a child. When Forrest finds Jenny working at a strip club, he tries to save her from this decision. Unfortunately, Jenny is the one who doesn’t understand love.

According to a recent statistic, 63,000 children were sexually abused in 2024. Since many keep this to themselves, the numbers are likely much higher. Either way, a child is sexually abused every 74 seconds in the United States. When Jesus touches on this subject in the first century, modern statistics highlight how life altering it is when an adult causes harm to a child like Jenny.

Closing Song:

May today’s blog help you to see the real horror occurring to children across the United States and throughout the world. May you become a catalyst for healing this October, assisting and leading others to professional help. The real-life Jenny’s need support to clear up their misunderstandings about love.

by Jay Mankus

Engaging Our Culture: February 10-Displaying a Sincere Love

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; if it is serving, then serve; if it is teaching, then teach; 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. 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

Engaging Our Culture: February 3-The Love Dare

Video of the Day: Scene from the 2008 film “Fireproof”

Bible Verse of the Day:

Follow God’s example, therefore, as dearly loved children and walk in the way of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God, Ephesians 5:1-2.

Biblical Connection:

Kirk Cameron plays Caleb Holt, a fire fighter who finds himself in a failing marriage. The more Caleb allows this disconnect with his wife Catherine played by Erin Bethea to continue, the possibility of divorce becomes more likely. On the verge of giving up, Caleb’s father intervenes, Harrison Malcom, lending a book to his son. The Love Dare Book is like a New Year’s Resolution for anyone who wants to save their current relationship. Just because you may have broken this year’s goals doesn’t mean you can’t start over with a clean slate in February.

The Love Dare challenges individuals with a daily task centered around the concept of biblical love. This isn’t a fictional book added to Fireproofs plot. Rather, the Love Dare is a real book that you can purchase, guiding you over the course of 40 days to emulate the love of Jesus. This book comes in the form of a personal dairy / journal, encouraging you to reflect upon what you have learned and recognize where you have fallen short. As Caleb tries to win back his wife, he doesn’t stop after day 40. Rather, Caleb adds further daily acts of love, until reconciliation with his wife is achieved.

Closing Song:

Changing bad habits will likely take more than 40 days. However, if you commit to prayer, God can and will transform you into men and women of love.

by Jay Mankus

A Year 4 Transformation: Day 156-Living the Abundant Life verses Wrestling with Demons

Passage of the Day:

“When an impure spirit comes out of a person, it goes through arid places seeking rest and does not find it. 44 Then it says, ‘I will return to the house I left.’ When it arrives, it finds the house unoccupied, swept clean and put in order. 45 Then it goes and takes with it seven other spirits more wicked than itself, and they go in and live there. And the final condition of that person is worse than the first. That is how it will be with this wicked generation,” Matthew 12:43-45.

Reflection:

PGA Tour golfer Grayson Murray lost a wrestling match with the demons from his past on Saturday, May 25. After winning the Sony Open in early 2024, Grayson opened up about his previous alcohol addiction. In a press conference, Grayson shared that this battle resulted in a newfound faith in Jesus. While social media has exploded over this Christian’s suicide, what likely happened to Grayson in those fateful hours leading up to his decision is detailed by one of Jesus’ disciples. Grayson gave the Devil a foothold, Ephesians 4:27, and the lies of the demon of suicide convinced him to end his life like Adam and Eve’s decision to eat the forbidden fruit from the Tree of Knowledge.

Prayerful Action:

If we deliberately keep on sinning after we have received the knowledge of the truth, no sacrifice for sins is left, 27 but only a fearful expectation of judgment and of raging fire that will consume the enemies of God, Hebrews 10:26-27.

Preparing Your Fields to Bear Spiritual Fruit:

James 5:19-20 suggests that some Christians will just get into heaven, like the humble criminal on the cross who died next to Jesus. While the details of Grayson’s suicide haven’t been released, it’s quite probably that on death’s door, common sense filled his mind exclaiming, “what have I done?” As the days and weeks pass, critics of Grayson will question his salvation. Yet, as a former Bible Teacher, seminary student and writer, Grayson was overwhelmed by one or multiple demons. Depressed and hopeless, evil whispers were too strong for Grayson to resist. May the untimely death of Grayson Murray inspire you to take your own mental health serious by coming to the foot of the cross to unload all of your burdens and concerns in life, Matthew 11:28-30. As the apostle Paul wrote to the Church at Philippi, until you get your own life right, you won’t be able to help others the way God desires, Philippians 2:1-5.

Song of the Day:

Final Thoughts:

While Hollywood may pretend that the Devil is just part of classic thrillers, demonic forces have invaded America, seeking to steal, kill and destroy souls, John 10:10. Grayson Murray is simply the most recent victim who lost his battle wrestling with demons. Surround your life and those whom you love with a hedge of protection in the form of prayer so that Abundant Lives rooted in Christ, Colossians 2:6-7, will defeat future demonic attacks.

by Jay Mankus