Tag Archives: Christianity

Inspiration Behind Carry On Wayward Son:

Lead singer and song writer Kerry Livgren added Carry On Wayward last minute to Kansas’ Leftoverture album. Although band members weren’t pleased that they needed to learn a new song just before heading into the studio to record Leftoverture, there was something special about this tune. When asked if Carry On Wayward Son was inspired by Jesus’ parable of the Prodigal Son, Kerry referred to the lyrics as his autobiography. This spiritual sojourn that Kerry began in the music industry led him to search for truth and meaning in life. After leaving Kansas, Livgren went on to sing for AD and pursue a solo career where biblical themes inspired many of his songs.

Biblical Application:

Jesus continued: “There was a man who had two sons. ¹² The younger one said to his father, ‘Father, give me my share of the estate.’ So he divided his property between them. ¹³ “Not long after that, the younger son got together all he had, set off for a distant country and there squandered his wealth in wild living. ¹⁴ After he had spent everything, there was a severe famine in that whole country, and he began to be in need. ¹⁵ So he went and hired himself out to a citizen of that country, who sent him to his fields to feed pigs. ¹⁶ He longed to fill his stomach with the pods that the pigs were eating, but no one gave him anything. ¹⁷ “When he came to his senses, he said, ‘How many of my father’s hired servants have food to spare, and here I am starving to death! ¹⁸ I will set out and go back to my father and say to him: Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. ¹⁹ I am no longer worthy to be called your son; make me like one of your hired servants.’ ²⁰ So he got up and went to his father. “But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion for him; he ran to his son, threw his arms around him and kissed him. ²¹ “The son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son.’ ²² “But the father said to his servants, ‘Quick! Bring the best robe and put it on him. Put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet. ²³ Bring the fattened calf and kill it. Let’s have a feast and celebrate. ²⁴ For this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.’ So they began to celebrate, Luke 15:11-23.

Exegesis of Carry On Wayward Son:

Carry on my wayward son
There’ll be peace when you are done
Lay your weary head to rest
Don’t you cry no more

Even if you don’t have any type of religious background, a sense of conviction and guilt will let you know when you are going down the wrong path in life.

Since God doesn’t force human beings to do anything, free will is offered to allow individuals to learn on their own. Whenever a season of rebellion ends, peace can be found through open and honest confession. Livgren appears to quote Jesus’ words in Matthew 11:28-30 about finding rest for a weary soul.

Once I rose above the noise and confusion
Just to get a glimpse beyond this illusion
I was soaring ever higher
But I flew too high

Life as a famous musician can bring amazing highs and lows in life. Perhaps, the words of this stanza were inspired by a few moments of solitude while on tour. During a live performance, emotions can get so high that you lose a sense of reality.

Though my eyes could see, I still was a blind man
Though my mind could think, I still was a mad man
I hear the voices when I’m dreaming
I can hear them say

Kerry appears to be restless when he wrote Carry On Wayward Son. Kerry could see glimpses of who God wanted him to be, but he wasn’t ready to change. The human conscience was gnawing at Kerry when he rested like God’s still small voice Elijah experiences in 1 Kings 19.

Carry on, my wayward son
There’ll be peace when you are done
Lay your weary head to rest
Don’t you cry no more

Instead of listening to a nagging adult telling you what you shouldn’t be doing, God trusted Kerry that he would eventually figure out on his that that he was on the wrong path, Matthew 7:13.

Masquerading as a man with a reason
My charade is the event of the season
And if I claim to be a wise man, well
It surely means that I don’t know

People often try to become who others want them to be instead of who they truly are. This charade continues today as many individuals are afraid to ask for advice, direction or help in life.

On a stormy sea of moving emotion
Tossed about, I’m like a ship on the ocean
I set a course for winds of fortune
But I hear the voices say

Like a ship without a rudder, unexpected storms in life result in an emotional roller coaster. If you don’t have a clear vision like the prodigal son, you’ll continue down a path of self-destruction until you finally hit rock bottom, starving for something true and real.

Carry on, my wayward son
There’ll be peace when you are done
Lay your weary head to rest
Don’t you cry no more
No!

This stanza is symbolic of an individual who finally comes to their senses. Instead of repeating the same mistakes over and over again, Livgren has decided that enough is enough, no more.

Carry on, you will always remember
Carry on, none can equal the splendor
Now your life’s no longer empty
Surely heaven waits for you

Kerry appears to have had a spiritual breakthrough like the words of Romans 10:9-11. Although there isn’t a clear description of this change, the mention of heaven supports 1 John 5:11-13.

Carry on, my wayward son
There’ll be peace when you are done
Lay your weary head to rest
Don’t you cry (don’t you cry no more)

No more

Like the parable of the Prodigal Son, Kerry is finally ready to change for the better. This journey and search for truth came to an end with Jesus, John 3:16-17.

Final Thoughts:

When the CW show Supernatural adopted Carry On Wayward Son as its theme song, the legacy of Kansas continues today. Wherever you are in life, keep searching for the questions in life that you are looking for. Don’t allow others to determine or dictate what you believe. Instead, test and see what is true in the world, always discovering, growing and learning. This is the journey of the wayward son.

by Jay Mankus

Video of the Day: Clip from the 1946 movie “It’s a Wonderful Life”

Bible Verse of the Day:

“Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes? ²⁶ Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? ²⁷ Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life^[e]? ²⁸ “And why do you worry about clothes? See how the flowers of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. ²⁹ Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. ³⁰ If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you—you of little faith? ³¹ So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ ³² For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. ³³ But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. ³⁴ Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own, Matthew 6:25-34.

Biblical Connection:

George Bailey begrudgingly put his dreams on hold whenever a family emergency arose. When George is the one who needs help this time, bitterness consumed his heart. George went out to drink, yelled at a man and wrecked his car. Upon arriving back home following his interaction with a guardian angel, God brings the people of Bedford Falls together to help George in his time of need.

Worry is one thing in life that makes you age. Stress can consume you so much that all you do is focus on the obstacles in front of you rather than the power of God before you, 2 Peter 1:3-4. Jesus teaches a large first century crowd to look up for assistance. If God provides the basic essentials for nature, why wouldn’t God provide for you? This is where faith and trust in God is conceived.

Closing Song:

The last 365 days have been an amazing journey. As I transition to a new series entitled the Message Behind the Music, may the anchor of faith, Jesus, hold you together until the Lord provides daily bread for your life.

by Jay Mankus

Video of the Day: Clip from the 2000 movie “Left Behind”

Bible Verse of the Day:

Brothers and sisters, we do not want you to be uninformed about those who sleep in death, so that you do not grieve like the rest of mankind, who have no hope. ¹⁴ For we believe that Jesus died and rose again, and so we believe that God will bring with Jesus those who have fallen asleep in him. ¹⁵ According to the Lord’s word, we tell you that we who are still alive, who are left until the coming of the Lord, will certainly not precede those who have fallen asleep. ¹⁶ For the Lord himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. ¹⁷ After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with the Lord forever. ¹⁸ Therefore encourage one another with these words, 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18.

Biblical Connection:

Left Behind highlights an event known as the second coming of Jesus or the rapture. Exactly when this day arrives is only known to God. However, the first century church believed that Jesus would return in their lifetime. Subsequently, Christians lived each day with a sense of urgency as if Jesus could return now. The pastor in today’s scene was merely going through the motions of faith.

According to the teaching of Jesus in Matthew 7:13-14, there will be a lot less Christians in heaven than what is taught in modern-day churches. Fear, peer pressure and wanting to be accepted leads most human beings to go with the flow by following human nature. The apostle Paul encourages Christians in Thessalonica to stay alert by avoid going through the motions of faith. Come alive!

Closing Song:

We all have wake up calls to snap you out of apathy, bad habits and a false sense of security. As 2025 comes to an end, may you begin striving to live each day in 2026 like Jesus will return today.

by Jay Mankus

Video of the Day: Clip from the 2006 movie “Amazing Grace”

Bible Verse of the Day:

On the next Sabbath almost the whole city gathered to hear the word of the Lord. ⁴⁵ When the Jews saw the crowds, they were filled with jealousy. They began to contradict what Paul was saying and heaped abuse on him. ⁴⁶ Then Paul and Barnabas answered them boldly: “We had to speak the word of God to you first. Since you reject it and do not consider yourselves worthy of eternal life, we now turn to the Gentiles. ⁴⁷ For this is what the Lord has commanded us: “‘I have made you^[f] a light for the Gentiles, that you^[g] may bring salvation to the ends of the earth.’^[h]” ⁴⁸ When the Gentiles heard this, they were glad and honored the word of the Lord; and all who were appointed for eternal life believed. ⁴⁹ The word of the Lord spread through the whole region. ⁵⁰ But the Jewish leaders incited the God-fearing women of high standing and the leading men of the city. They stirred up persecution against Paul and Barnabas, and expelled them from their region. ⁵¹ So they shook the dust off their feet as a warning to them and went to Iconium. ⁵² And the disciples were filled with joy and with the Holy Spirit, Acts 13:44-52.

Biblical Connection:

In life, there are crossroads and turning points causing some to quit and others to press on. Despite all of his previous failures, William Wilberforce did not give hope of ending the slave trade. This persistence enabled William to fulfill his calling. As for me, this blog is my calling, named after a screenplay, that I wrote over a decade ago. My calling is to give stutterers, the shy and silent hope that one day you’ll be able to fully express yourself like I did at Friendship Church in 1991.

The apostle Paul was trained to become a Pharisee for the Jewish faith. Yet, when Paul came to faith on the Road to Damascus in Acts 9, he had a natural desire to want to bring the gospel message in Romans 6:23 to his fellow Jews. Unfortunately, many religious leaders felt that Paul betrayed them by becoming a follower of Christ. Subsequently, Paul’s calling changed in today’s passage. Paul turned his attention toward sharing the gospels with Gentiles to fulfill Acts 1:8.

Closing Song:

God has blessed me with the ability to write in the Spirit, jotting down daily messages that I receive from reading the Bible, listening to Christian music or watching television. As you draw near to God, Matthew 6:33, may the power of the Holy Spirit unveil your true calling in 2026.

by Jay Mankus

Video of the Day: Clip from the 1981 movie “Chariots of Fire”

Bible Verse of the Day:

Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, ² fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. ³ Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart, Hebrews 12:1-3.

Biblical Connection:

 Harold Abrahams and Eric Liddell are British runners training for the 1924 Summer Olympics in Paris, France. This film compares and contrasts how a devout Jew in Harold and Christian Eric prepare for and handle success. Today’s scene has Eric’s family wanting him to quit sports and become a full-time missionary. Yet, Eric knows that running is a gift and a way to honor God.

Hebrews 12 takes a quick glance back at chapter 11. The great witnesses are the members of the Christian Hall of Faith. The author notes the members and acts of faith that separated them from nominal followers of Jesus. Each of the great heroes of faith began their journey by learning to run with God, 1 Corinthians 9:24-27. By fixing your eyes on Jesus, you don’t lose focus like Peter walking on water, Matthew 14:29-31. This is why running with God requires perseverance.

Closing Song:

As a former runner, getting someone else excited about running is difficult. Perhaps, starting out with a slow jog is more appropriate. My analogy is that you have to start reading the Bible beginning with the New Testament before you can run with God. This initial process requires reading, learning and understanding before you can start living out a newfound faith, Romans 10:9-10. The key is consistency and having a Christian friend to guide you along this faith journey. Once you get the walking with God step down, Galatians 5:25, let the running commence.

by Jay Mankus

Video of the Day: Clip from the 2002 movie “Joshua”

Bible Verse of the Day:

 At that time Jesus said, “I praise you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because you have hidden these things from the wise and learned, and revealed them to little children. ²⁶ Yes, Father, for this is what you were pleased to do. ²⁷ “All things have been committed to me by my Father. No one knows the Son except the Father, and no one knows the Father except the Son and those to whom the Son chooses to reveal him. ²⁸ “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. ²⁹ Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. ³⁰ For my yoke is easy and my burden is light,” Matthew 11:25-30.

Biblical Connection:

Human beings all have moments when you feel like your life is broken or simply falling apart. I was a high school sophomore, running 6 miles at a cross-country practice when I had a nervous breakdown. Although I went to church, I didn’t know Jesus. The next 2 months were an emotional roller coaster until a teacher bought me a ticket to hear Christian athletes take about faith in Jesus.

Jesus talks to a group of adults who think they know more than they really do. This is why Jesus stresses the importance of having faith like a child. Within a genuine and innocent child, there is a belief that God will take care of you. The conclusion of today’s passage is for the Maggie’s of this world. The promise of pouring your heart out in prayer so that God will make your life whole again.

Closing Song:

The lyrics of Pray are a modern-day expression of pouring your heart out to God. Some prayers take years to receive answers. I’ve had a few prayers come back to me with a still small voice “wait” and guts feelings that reveal not right now. Yet, for people like Maggie in Joshua, when you lay your burdens at the feet of Jesus in prayer, some answers come quickly like a day or two. As long as you don’t give up hope like Persistent Widow in Luke 18, you will be made whole in God’s timing.

by Jay Mankus

Video of the Day: Clip from the 2006 movie “The Ultimate Gift”

Bible Verse of the Day:

This is the one who came by water and blood—Jesus Christ. He did not come by water only, but by water and blood. And it is the Spirit who testifies, because the Spirit is the truth. ⁷ For there are three that testify: ⁸ the^[a] Spirit, the water and the blood; and the three are in agreement. ⁹ We accept human testimony, but God’s testimony is greater because it is the testimony of God, which he has given about his Son. ¹⁰ Whoever believes in the Son of God accepts this testimony. Whoever does not believe God has made him out to be a liar, because they have not believed the testimony God has given about his Son. ¹¹ And this is the testimony: God has given us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. ¹² Whoever has the Son has life; whoever does not have the Son of God does not have life, 1 John 5:6-12.

Biblical Connection:

A little girl befriends Jason after his car and home are repossessed. Sleeping on a park bench for two weeks, Emily has compassion on Jason who is dealing with the death of his grandfather. After seeing Emily without her wig on, Jason goes to see her at church. This is where Emily opens up about the terminal disease she is battling. This illness leads Emily to consider the afterlife.

Today’s passage is written by a former disciple of Jesus. Known as the disciple whom Jesus loved, John is fighting against a false teaching spreading at the end of the first century. As someone who personally knew Jesus, John explains who Jesus was and why He came down from heaven to live on earth. 1 John 5:13 declares that you can know for sure your eternal destiny by believing in Jesus.

Closing Song:

What you do after Christmas Day is to abide, inspire and lead others into a personal relationship with Jesus, Romans 10:9-10. First, lead by example, John 10:10. Second, be honest and open about your own daily personal struggles, 1 John 1:8-10. Finally, faith is a journey which requires encouragement, a helping hand and mentors to guide the lost and lonely, Luke 19:10.

by Jay Mankus

Video of the Day: Clip from the 1990 movie “Home Alone”

Bible Verse of the Day:

Therefore, brothers and sisters, since we have confidence to enter the Most Holy Place by the blood of Jesus, ²⁰ by a new and living way opened for us through the curtain, that is, his body, ²¹ and since we have a great priest over the house of God, ²² let us draw near to God with a sincere heart and with the full assurance that faith brings, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and having our bodies washed with pure water. ²³ 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. ²⁶ 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 10:19-27.

Biblical Connection:

Kevin McCallister is grounded, sent to his room the night before a family trip to Paris, France. Sleeping in on the third floor, Kevin wakes up to an empty house, forgotten by his family in a rush to get to the airport. While this comedy went on to make successful sequels, Christmas is meant to celebrate together, like the shepherds who rejoiced upon hearing the news of Jesus’ birth.

The author of Hebrews stresses the role that other people play in your life. First of all, getting together with a group of like-minded believers conceives a spiritual desire of wanting to spend more time together. Meanwhile, these gatherings also provide a form of accountability, especially for Christians struggling with addiction, bad habits or unwholesome cravings.

Closing Song:

When my father passed away in 2023, I wasn’t sure if the annual tradition of Christmas at my parents’ house would continue. Yet, two years later, with a couple of grandchildren added to my family, this celebration presses on. If you’re not part of a family, may you find comfort in a family of believers at a local church to celebrate Christmas.

by Jay Mankus

Video of the Day: Clip from the 1993 movie “Rudy”

Bible Verse of the Day:

Then the mother of Zebedee’s sons came to Jesus with her sons and, kneeling down, asked a favor of him. ²¹ “What is it you want?” he asked. She said, “Grant that one of these two sons of mine may sit at your right and the other at your left in your kingdom.” ²² “You don’t know what you are asking,” Jesus said to them. “Can you drink the cup I am going to drink?” “We can,” they answered. ²³ Jesus said to them, “You will indeed drink from my cup, but to sit at my right or left is not for me to grant. These places belong to those for whom they have been prepared by my Father.” ²⁴ When the ten heard about this, they were indignant with the two brothers. ²⁵ Jesus called them together and said, “You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their high officials exercise authority over them. ²⁶ Not so with you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, ²⁷ and whoever wants to be first must be your slave— ²⁸ just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many,” Matthew 20:20-28.

Biblical Connection:

Daniel Eugene “Rudy” Ruettiger was a walk on at Notre Dame. At the end of his junior year, the head coach promised Rudy that he would dress one game in his final season. Unfortunately, Coach Ara Parseghian was fired, and new head Coach Devine wasn’t willing to fulfill this promise. This is when the leaders on Notre Dame offered their own spot on the roster so that Rudy could play.

John and James’ mom ask Jesus for a similar promise in private. When the other 10 disciples found out their mother’s request, they are angry. Jesus uses this teachable moment to remind his ministry team of their calling. Becoming a disciple of Jesus isn’t a spiritual achievement that you should brag about. Rather, disciples are servants, putting the needs of others before yourself.

Closing Song:

Rudy was part of the scout team at Notre Dame, trying to emulate the defense schemes of their next opponent week after week. Despite being beaten and crushed by the first-string offense day after day, Rudy would get on any starter who let up on a play. This passion led leaders on the team to respect Rudy as well as offer up their own starting spot so that Rudy could suit up for his first and along game in college.

by Jay Mankus

Video of the Day: Clip from the 2019 movie “Last Christmas”

Bible Verse of Day:

Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we^[a] have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, ² through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. And we^[b] boast in the hope of the glory of God. ³ Not only so, but we^[c] also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; ⁴ perseverance, character; and character, hope. ⁵ And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us. ⁶ You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly. ⁷ Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous person, though for a good person someone might possibly dare to die, Romans 5:1-7.

Biblical Connections:

According to statistics from 2024, 170 million Americans are registered organ donors. This information can be found on a driver’s license as depicted in today’s scene. The History Channel’s show the Unexplained recently aired an episode on how heart transplant recipients experience a connection with their deceased donor. These are the emotions that Kate feels a year later.

The apostle Paul writes to members at the Church in Rome about the hope and peace brought by Jesus. Paul does use a rare situation when a human being would be willing to lay down their life. If heart transplants were available in the first century, perhaps Paul would encourage Christians to donate their organs. However, Jesus laid down His life for everyone, Romans 6:23.

Closing Song:

Instead of buying someone a gift, you could simply add organ to your driver’s license. This selfless act would set the stage for a different kind of Christmas.

by Jay Mankus