Tag Archives: Christianity

Video of the Day: Clip from the 2005 film “The Greatest Game Ever Played”

Bible Verse of the Day:

Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful. ²⁴ And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, ²⁵ not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching, Hebrews 10:23-25.

Biblical Connection:

The Greatest Game Ever Played is based upon a true story of 21-year-old Francis Ouimet winning the 1913 United States Golf Open as an amateur. However, Ouimet had to beat his boyhood idol Harry Vardon to accomplish this feat. Today’s scene takes place before the 18-hole playoff as members of the Country Club at Brookline, Massachusetts tried to replace Ouimet’s caddie. Since there was great chemistry between Eddie and Francis, he stayed with the teammate who got him into the playoff.

From the age of 7-18, most of my free time each summer was spent playing golf at Penn Oaks Country Club. Golf can be a magical game as some courses fit a player’s eye resulting in great results. The author of Hebrews writes about the importance of meeting together and spurring one another on in the faith. Yet, when you don’t have a positive influence in your life, keeping you out of trouble, your life can change in an instant. While powerful and wealthy people may try to change your mind, don’t forget the individuals who have made a difference in your life.

Closing Song:

Matthew 12:30 is one of the more powerful statements Jesus makes in the Bible. As you reflect upon your current life, you’re either gathering people closer to Jesus or your witness is inconsistent, creating confusion, thereby scattering souls further away from God. As you move on in life, walk in the light and avoid the darkness of sinful tendencies.

by Jay Mankus

Video of the Day: Clip from the 1998 film “A Bugs Life”

Bible Verse of the Day:

Who is going to harm you if you are eager to do good? ¹⁴ But even if you should suffer for what is right, you are blessed. “Do not fear their threats^[b]; do not be frightened,” 1 Peter 3:13-14.

Biblical Connection:

A Bug’s Life follows greedy grasshoppers who demand a share of food from a colony of ants. When this colony’s annual offering is inadvertently destroyed, the grasshoppers demand twice as much. Subsequently, Flik is sent out to find warrior bugs to help free the ants from this oppression. Today’s clip is from an informal meeting of grasshoppers. The leader of the Grasshoppers tries to explain what happens when a lone ant has the courage to stand up to outnumbered grasshoppers.

Today’s movie clip shadows King Pharoah during Israel’s 400 years of slavery. The harder Pharoah made it for the Israelites, the less time they had to come together to plot an exodus out of Egypt. As Peter writes to Christians in the first century, he warns them of persecution and trials they may face as followers of Christ. Yet, Peter asks an open ending question regarding consequences for standing up for what is right. Peter reminds his readers to embrace this as a blessing and to not be afraid.

Closing Song:

May today’s Bible verse and song give you the courage to stand up to the Cancel Culture eager to shut down people of faith. May you be empowered by the Holy Spirit, 2 Peter 1:3-4, to stand up for what is right and for those who are afraid to speak up.

by Jay Mankus

Video of the Day: Clip from the 1992 film “A League of Their Own”

Bible Verse of the Day:

Jesus went through all the towns and villages, teaching in their synagogues, proclaiming the good news of the kingdom and healing every disease and sickness. ³⁶ When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. ³⁷ Then he said to his disciples, “The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few. ³⁸ Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field,” Matthew 9:35-38.

Biblical Connection:

Sisters Dottie and Kit are approached by a scout forming the first female professional baseball league. As Major League Baseball was shut down during World War II due to the draft, this temporary league was designed to serve as a substitute until the war ends. On their way back from the west coast, the scout watches Marla, who joins them on the train to Chicago. This sets the stage for open tryouts as more than 100 women compete for 64 open spots.

As a former baseball player and coach, I’ve been on both sides, fielding ground balls on a gym floor with coaches anxiously watching as well as holding a clipboard, jotting down notes about players who stand out. From a spiritual perspective, Christians should be eagerly searching daily to form a team of leaders. Whether in the context of a Bible Study, people to disciple or a new small group, God is waiting for servants in their local church to stand up and lead like modern day disciples.

Closing Song:

Madonna’s character is initially complacent, resting on her past accomplishments. However, when Dottie catches a ball with her bare hands, the thought of practicing to ensure she makes one of the four teams kicks in. This is the sense of urgency that Christians should daily seek until Jesus’ promise of a new life in Christ, John 10:10, becomes a reality. Don’t waste the opportunities that God provides in the form of open doors to share the love of Jesus with others.

by Jay Mankus

Video of the Day: Clip from the 2022 film “Hustle”

Bible Verse of the Day:

In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God’s grace ⁸ that he lavished on us. With all wisdom and understanding, ⁹ he^[d] made known to us the mystery of his will according to his good pleasure, which he purposed in Christ, ¹⁰ to be put into effect when the times reach their fulfillment—to bring unity to all things in heaven and on earth under Christ, Ephesians 1:7-10.

Biblical Connection:

Fired pro basketball scout, Stanley Sugerman discovers Bo Cruz while watching a pickup game at a park outside of Madrid, Spain. This former foreign scout for the NBA’s Philadelphia 76ers is invigorated by Bo’s discovery, making it his mission to groom Cruz for a potential spot in the National Basketball Association. Today’s scene displays the fruits of Stanley’s hard work as Bo Cruz excels against current NBA prospects.

Redemption is the belief that God offers salvation and deliverance to humanity through the sacrifice of Jesus Christ death on a cross. Essentially, God is giving mistake prone individuals a second chance, Romans 5:6-8. This new chance at life rejuvenates repentant sinners just like Stanley Sugerman in Hustle. Sports sometimes gives recent losers a chance at redemption, to regain the title that slipped through their hands like the NFL’s Philadelphia Eagles in 2025.

Closing Song:

I played baseball for a decade, fizzling out at the end of my playing career. Thirty years later, I played on a competitive softball team with 7 who played college baseball. During our championship season, I caught the final out in center field, the same type of flyball that I dropped years earlier playing shortstop. This is how sports provide a chance for redemption.

by Jay Mankus

Video of the Day: Clip from the 1996 film “Tin Cup”

Bible Verse of the Day:

My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, ²⁰ because human anger does not produce the righteousness that God desires. ²¹ Therefore, get rid of all moral filth and the evil that is so prevalent and humbly accept the word planted in you, which can save you, James 1:19-21.

Biblical Connection:

Tin Cup highlights what happens to failed golf professionals who aren’t good enough to make a living on tour. Roy McAvoy has all the talent in the world but lacks the discipline and proper mindset found in successful players. During open qualifying for the United States Open, McAvoy just needs to par out to secure a spot in the Open. Unfortunately, ego, pride, and self-ambition result in a heated dispute with his caddy. This triggers an emotional meltdown on the course.

The Book of James is known as the first Catholic letter of the Bible, written for universal members of the first century church. Apparently, anger, frustration and impatience is nothing new. James unveils how human anger can impact your soul. This is the reason for James’ call for listening, being slow to respond and discipline to avoid overacting out of anger. If you find yourself having a rough day, follow the advice of James so you avoid a Tin Cup like meltdown.

Closing Song:

I had major anger management issues when I was young. Whether I was on a baseball mound pitching or playing golf, I let my emotions get the best of me. May the lyrics of Control and James’ words help prevent an emotional meltdown.

by Jay Mankus

Video of the Day: Trailer of 2020 ESPN Promotion “March Madness”

Bible Verse of the Day:

Rather, as servants of God we commend ourselves in every way: in great endurance; in troubles, hardships and distresses; ⁵ in beatings, imprisonments and riots; in hard work, sleepless nights and hunger; ⁶ in purity, understanding, patience and kindness; in the Holy Spirit and in sincere love; ⁷ in truthful speech and in the power of God; with weapons of righteousness in the right hand and in the left; ⁸ through glory and dishonor, bad report and good report; genuine, yet regarded as impostors; ⁹ known, yet regarded as unknown; dying, and yet we live on; beaten, and yet not killed; 2 Corinthians 6:4-9.

Biblical Connection:

Every March sporting websites offer a free challenge with one-million-dollar prize going to the winner that completes a perfect Men’s NCAA Basketball bracket. Year after year, this prize continues to go unclaimed due to unpredictability of 68 teams playing one another over the course of 3 weeks. Although one individual once picked the first 49 games correctly, no one who has entered these contests has been perfect. Perhaps, this is why the annual men’s college basketball tournament has been coined March Madness.

From the spiritual realm, every day is filled with the unknown. You may have an idea of your daily routines in a typical work week, but only God knows what hardship that you will be facing. When Saul was called by God to become an apostle of Jesus Christ, his previous popularity as a Jewish leader vanished overnight. After changing his name, Paul opens up about the hardships that he has endured since becoming an apostle. When you put your faith on the line, Christians shouldn’t be surprised by unknown hardships, Ephesians 6:10-12. This is the madness occurring every month.

Closing Song:

Sometime the hardship of the unknown is simply trying to figure out God’s will for your life. The longer this process continues, Romans 12:1-2, the harder it becomes to trust God in the dark. May the lyrics of today’s song help remind you to let God fight the battles of the unknown.

by Jay Mankus

Video of the Day: Clip from 1986 film “Hoosiers”

Bible Verse of the Day:

The night is nearly over; the day is almost here. So let us put aside the deeds of darkness and put on the armor of light. ¹³ Let us behave decently, as in the daytime, not in carousing and drunkenness, not in sexual immorality and debauchery, not in dissension and jealousy. ¹⁴ Rather, clothe yourselves with the Lord Jesus Christ, and do not think about how to gratify the desires of the flesh, Romans 13:12-14.

Biblical Connection:

Playing Coach Norman Dale, Gene Hackman gets to know fans, faculty members, and the parents of his players. After a few conversations with Shooter, Dennis Hopper, who lives and breathes Indiana high school basketball, Coach goes to Shooter’s home to offer him a job. This sets the stage for an intense conversation. Knowing that he was given a second chance as a coach, Dale returns the favor to Shooter with a couple of strings attached.

The apostle Paul writes a letter to the Church at Rome in today’s featured passage. Paul is writing with a sense of urgency, calling members of this Christian Church to put on the armor of God detailed in Ephesians 6:12-20. Paul also appears to be referencing the acts of the flesh and the fruits of the Spirit in Galatians 5:16-23. Apparently, some Christians were merely going through the motions, not committing to make Jesus the Lord of their lives. If God gives sinners a second chance, the least that you can do is to clothe yourself with Jesus by putting on the mind of Christ.

Closing Song:

Paul doesn’t beat around the bush early in his letter to the Church at Rome, Romans 3:9-12. This blunt assessment of mankind’s sinful tendencies helps Christians realize their need for God, Romans 6:23. Subsequently, the next time you pick up the pieces from a fall from grace, be willing to forgive others as God has forgiven you by offering others a second chance, Matthew 6:14.

by Jay Mankus

Video of the Day: ESPN Films Trailer of North Carolina State’s Title “Survive and Advance”

Bible Verse of the Day:

If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you. ⁶ But when you ask, you must believe and not doubt, because the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. ⁷ That person should not expect to receive anything from the Lord. ⁸ Such a person is double-minded and unstable in all they do, James 1:5-8.

Biblical Connection:

The first round of the 2025 NCAA Basketball tournament began yesterday. Similar to the opening day of Major League Baseball, everyone is tied for first place. While the talent on each team differs, the degree of belief and confidence will separate winners and losers. Former head coach Jim Valvano devoted one practice a year to visualizing becoming national champions. This is the image that Coach Valvano wanted his players to see before participating in March Madness. This 3-week journey isn’t about winning pretty. Rather, the goal is to Survive and Advance.

The author of this Bible passage is the earthly brother of Jesus, a skeptic who became an elder in the Church at Jerusalem. While James wrote to Christians scattered throughout the Mediterranean following Nero’s persecution, he’s also speaking to himself. James was like the Jewish religious leaders of the early first century, not believing that his brother was the promised Messiah. Rather, James had to witness Jesus’ resurrection from the dead before he finally believed. Only God knows who will win the 2025 title. Yet, belief and doubt will play a huge role in determining a champion.

Closing Song:

I was introduced to this song during the Coronavirus pandemic. As countless individuals continued to succumb to this biological disease, I clung to the God of miracles. While God may not care who wins a sporting event, the Lord does elevate people of faith to hold fast to the God of miracles. May you survive and advance past the trials that you’re currently facing in life.

by Jay Mankus