Tag Archives: books

Engaging Our Culture: February 3-The Love Dare

Posted on February 3, 2025 by expressyourself4him

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

Bible Verse of the Day:

Follow God’s example, therefore, as dearly loved children 2 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

Leave a comment

Posted in Truth and tagged , , , , . Bookmark the permalink.

Engaging Our Culture: January 23-Seize the Day

Posted on January 23, 2025 by expressyourself4him

Video of the Day: Scene from the 1993 film “Rudy”

Bible Verse of the Day:

Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise, 16 making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil. 17 Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord’s will is, Ephesians 5:15-17.

Biblical Connection:

Daniel Eugene “Rudy” Ruettiger spent two years of his life studying and working harder than ever before. At this point in the movie, Rudy had gotten his GPA up high enough to be accepted at the University of Notre Dame. Upon arriving on campus, Rudy punishes his body day after day, making the football as a walk on. Yet, Rudy’s life didn’t turn out the way he had planned so he quit his lifelong dream. This sets the stage for a mentor to speak truth into his life. Charles Dutton plays Fortune who shares advice to encourage Rudy from making the same mistake as he did in the past.

In a letter to the Church at Ephesus, the apostle Paul is trying to impress upon first century Christians a sense of urgency. The Greek word Paul uses in verse 16 translates into redeeming time. Although Carpe Diem, seize the day, is not found in this passage, Paul alludes to this principle. Every day human beings are faced with choices and decisions that need to be made. According to Moses, choices either lead to life or death, Deuteronomy 30:15-17. Therefore, don’t let emotions dictate your decisions. Instead, be wise by keeping in step with the Holy Spirit to see God’s will out.

Closing Song:

As you renew your mind with the words of the Bible, Romans 12:2, God’s will for your life will begin to come into focus. Resist the urge to quit as progress in your faith journey is the process of arriving.

by Jay Mankus

Leave a comment

Posted in Truth and tagged , , , , . Bookmark the permalink.

Engaging Our Culture: January 2-Avoid Repeating the Mistakes of Your Past

Posted on January 2, 2025 by expressyourself4him

Video of the Day: Scene from the 2000 film “Remember the Titans”

Passage of the Day:

Now these things occurred as examples to keep us from setting our hearts on evil things as they did, 1 Corinthians 10:6.

Biblical Connection:

The context of today’s video takes place in dormitories near Gettysburg, Pennsylvania. The T.C. Williams High School football team is the middle of training camp, away from their home in Alexandria, Virginia. This decision was made to avoid the distractions of desegregation taking place in the early 1970’s as T.C. Williams began the integration process. An all-black school and all-white school were consolidated to become one, T.C. Williams High School. As Coach Yoast played by Will Patton is demoted from head to assistant coach, this only increases the racial tension as Denziel Washington, Coach Boone, is elevated to the top position. The early morning jog followed by Denziel’s emotional plea is designed to bring his team together before racial divide tears it apart.

The Biblical connection to this video comes from the apostle Paul who wrote letters to the Church at Corinth. These first century epistles were sent to help new churches grow or get back on track if Paul received news of Christians reverting back to their former way of life prior to entering into a personal relationship with Jesus. The context of 1 Corinthians 10:1-5 is a brief history of past errors, mistakes and sins committed by the nation of Israel. Just as Denziel Washington addresses bigotry, hatred, and stereotypes in his speech, each choice that you make leads to either life or death, Deuteronomy 30:15-18. As 2025 begins its second day, strive to learn from your past mistakes. Don’t continue down a path of self-destruction. Rather, take a lesson from the dead, learn from their past failures so that living the abundant life that Jesus promised is possible this year.

Closing Song:

An interactive blog to engage our culture in 2025 by Jay Mankus.

Leave a comment

Posted in Truth and tagged , , , , . Bookmark the permalink.

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

Posted on June 3, 2024 by expressyourself4him

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

Leave a comment

Posted in Truth and tagged , , , , . Bookmark the permalink.

Don’t Fool Yourself

Posted on February 7, 2013 by expressyourself4him

Hebrews 4:12 refers to the Bible as containing living and active words.  This unique characteristic sets the Bible apart from all other books ever written.  Ranked as one of the top selling books annually, the Bible has become the greatest seller of all time.  However, when you open this book to read it, don’t fool yourself like a narcissist by thinking you are better than you actually are.

When I opened Proverbs 26 today, God gave me a revelation, new insight to what King Solomon is trying to communicate to readers.  Solomon devotes this particular chapter to qualities of a fool.  Like a Litness Test to assess your degree of foolishness, chapter 26 contains over 20 traits of a fool.  Though you may rate yourself low, similar to a golfer who is under par, Romans 3:23 suggest everyone possesses at least one of these foolish attributes.

The apostle Paul gives new meaning to the term fool in the New Testament.  In his epistle to the educated citizens of Corinth, Paul makes being a fool not so bad.  According to 1 Corinthians 1:18-2:16, wisdom does not come from schooling, which encourages students to trust in themselves.  Rather, wisdom is obtained through the power of the Holy Spirit, leading one to put their faith and trust in the Lord Jesus.  While the world will continue to emphasize intelligence, becoming a fool for Christ will have the last laugh.  Therefore, don’t be a fool by following Jesus, – 1 Corinthians 1:27-31.

by Jay Mankus

Leave a comment

Posted in Uncategorized and tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , . Bookmark the permalink.