Tag Archives: faith

Video of the Day: Clip from the television series “Castle”

Bible Verse of the Day:

It is impossible for those who have once been enlightened, who have tasted the heavenly gift, who have shared in the Holy Spirit, ⁵ who have tasted the goodness of the word of God and the powers of the coming age ⁶ and who have fallen^[c] away, to be brought back to repentance. To their loss they are crucifying the Son of God all over again and subjecting him to public disgrace. ⁷ Land that drinks in the rain often falling on it and that produces a crop useful to those for whom it is farmed receives the blessing of God. ⁸ But land that produces thorns and thistles is worthless and is in danger of being cursed. In the end it will be burned, Hebrews 6:4-8.

Biblical Connection:

The ABC television drama Castle ran for 8 seasons featuring detective Kate Beckett and novelist Richard Castle. Castle is introduced to the NYPD when a copycat killer lives out murders in Richard’s books. While Beckett and Castle relationship is on and off again the last 4 seasons, Richard attempts to protect Kate until she is unwilling to change her ways.

The author of Hebrews appears to reference Jesus’ Parable of the Sower. Back in Matthew 13:1-23, Jesus talks about different obstacles farmers face prior to planting seeds. Since not every soil is ideal, Jesus breaks down what each of these specific barriers represent. Since Kate’s heart has become hardened, Richard has reached a point in their relationship where there is nothing else, he can do. Until individuals are willing to change, you have to let them go until they are ready for help.

Closing Song:

Strong willed individuals are often the hardest to help. Richard Castle stuck around for 4 years hoping to make a difference in Kate’s life. Yet, when you find yourself under the ruins of a broken relationship, prayer and time are your available options until those whom you love realize they have a problem and are open for assistance.

by Jay Mankus

Video of the Day: Clip from the 1998 movie “The Truman Show”

Bible Verse of the Day:

“Suppose one of you wants to build a tower. Won’t you first sit down and estimate the cost to see if you have enough money to complete it? ²⁹ For if you lay the foundation and are not able to finish it, everyone who sees it will ridicule you, ³⁰ saying, ‘This person began to build and wasn’t able to finish.’ ³¹ “Or suppose a king is about to go to war against another king. Won’t he first sit down and consider whether he is able with ten thousand men to oppose the one coming against him with twenty thousand? ³² If he is not able, he will send a delegation while the other is still a long way off and will ask for terms of peace. ³³ In the same way, those of you who do not give up everything you have cannot be my disciples, Luke 14:28-33.

Biblical Connection:

While the Truman Show is about a man stuck inside of a reality television show, he reaches a point in life where many individuals find themselves. Truman feels trapped, stuck behind a desk job that he no longer is excited about. Instead, Truman’s mind is fixated on his dream trip of a lifetime to Fiji. The only problem is that traveling to Fiji will time take and plan and money to be saved.

I spent 3 years of my life living in the Bible belt of South Carolina. The people were nice; all my neighbors waved at me when I passed, and I felt the warmth of their genuine care. Yet, one thing was missing, a consistent genuine passion for Jesus Christ. This did exist in a few church leaders that I met, but most Christians lived a carefree faith, picking and choosing when to follow Jesus.

Closing Song:

This was the first century message Jesus gave to Christian leaders who regularly displayed an inconsistent faith. Since faith is a lifelong marathon, make sure that you’re planning for the future. We all have bad days where our faith fails. Yet, when you work out your salvation daily, Philippians 2:12, you’ll stay in touch with God’s will for your life, Romans 12:1-2. This is what Jesus expects of modern-day disciples.

by Jay Mankus

Video of the Day: Clip from the 1997 movie “Volcano”

Bible Verse of the Day:

I appeal to you, brothers and sisters,^[a] in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree with one another in what you say and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be perfectly united in mind and thought. ¹¹ My brothers and sisters, some from Chloe’s household have informed me that there are quarrels among you. ¹² What I mean is this: One of you says, “I follow Paul”; another, “I follow Apollos”; another, “I follow Cephas^[b]”; still another, “I follow Christ,” 1 Corinthians 1:10-12.

Biblical Connection:

When an ancient volcano rises from the bottom of tar pits in Los Angeles, the city is put in alert. Using the subway system, steams of lava follow through this concrete chasm until it ends underneath a new hospital. To release the pressure from this massive flow of lava, this building is blown up to divert the lava into the Pacific Ocean. When a little boy is separated from his family during this explosion, a police officer tries to help him become reunited.

The apostle Paul addresses the topic of hero worship going on in the Church of Corinth. Instead of being united as a follower of Jesus, church leaders were being elevated to Christ-like status. Instead of reminding these new converts of embracing the body of Christ, a popularity contest began to divide members of this church. When ash covers the faces of the residents of Los Angeles, everyone looked the same. In the same way, Christians should be unified in following Jesus.

Closing Song:

When arrogance, power hungry Christians and pride is allowed to reside within a church, similar divisions that the apostle Paul confronted will arise. To avoid a similar fate, we need to seek harmony and unity within the body of Christ by remaining a humble servant playing your part.

by Jay Mankus

Video of the Day: Clip from the 1989 movie “Born of the Fourth of July” (Language Warning)

Bible Verse of the Day:

They went across the lake to the region of the Gerasenes.^[a] 2 When Jesus got out of the boat, a man with an impure spirit came from the tombs to meet him. ³ This man lived in the tombs, and no one could bind him anymore, not even with a chain. ⁴ For he had often been chained hand and foot, but he tore the chains apart and broke the irons on his feet. No one was strong enough to subdue him. ⁵ Night and day among the tombs and in the hills he would cry out and cut himself with stones, Mark 5:1-4.

Biblical Connection:

Ron Kovic is a 10-year-old boy who was born on the Fourth of July. After attending an Independence Day parade on his birthday weekend, a desire to serve his country is conceived within Ron. This boy’s dream turns into a nightmare as Ron’s first battle ends up taking his ability to walk. Now confined to a wheelchair, Ron shares with a friend of his desire to be made whole again.

In the first century, Jesus meets another man who wants healing from his current condition. According to Mark, a man had lost total control of his body. This condition influenced by a demonic spirit led this man to move out of his house to avoid hurting anyone. This real-life demonic possession opens the door for Jesus’ visit and miraculous healing to be made whole again.

Closing Song:

Every human being is like an onion. The more layers that you unpeel via engaging questions, you get to know their life story of the good, bad and ugly. Subsequently, when certain life events and trials occur on or near a holiday, special days life the Fourth of July have a dark side. Therefore, be careful when you enter deep conversations as you may uncover the beautifully broken.

by Jay Mankus

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

Bible Verse of the Day:

Flee from sexual immorality. All other sins a person commits are outside the body, but whoever sins sexually, sins against their own body. ¹⁹ Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; ²⁰ you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your bodies, 1 Corinthians 6:18-20.

Biblical Connection:

Superfire contains an earlier scene that illustrates the Law of Human Nature described by C.S. Lewis in the first book of Mere Christianity. The lead tanker pilot whose job it is to release the chemicals to put out forest fires was blamed for the deaths of fire jumpers from a past super fire. This one failed event defined James Merrick’s reputation before his meeting his new team. Sometimes one act, brash decision or careless choice leads individuals to become trapped by sin.

While addressing a serious situation in the Church at Corinth, the apostle Paul warns Christians about sinning sexuality. Paul makes a distinction between breaking one of God’s commands and sinning against your own body. While Paul doesn’t use the word addiction, he alludes to the words of Jesus in the Sermon on the Mount, Matthew 5:27-30. The point Jesus is making centers around hearts and mind set on sin. Thinking about sin often leads to becoming trapped by sin.

Closing Song:

May the words of today’s song serve as a prayer to help you the next time you feel trapped by sin. Following the advice of Jesus by laying these burdens down at the feet of God.

by Jay Mankus

Video of the Day: Clip from the 2005 movie “Man of the House”

Bible Verse of the Day:

Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says. ²³ Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like someone who looks at his face in a mirror ²⁴ and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like. ²⁵ But whoever looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues in it—not forgetting what they have heard, but doing it—they will be blessed in what they do, James 1:22-25.

Biblical Connection:

A Texas Ranger is assigned a cheerleading squad after one of the girls witnesses a murder. Rather than try to get to know these women, Roland Sharp keeps his focus on protecting the members of the University of Texas squad. During two different encounters, ordering pizza for dinner, the girls discover Roland is divorced and has a daughter. This is what happens when you listen.

The earthly brother of Jesus addresses the difference between listening and applying what you learn. As God fearing Jews began to follow the teaching of Jesus, these new converts had to let go of their legalistic traditions. Jesus didn’t want first century Christians to just listen to the words of the Sermon on the Mount. Rather, Jesus urged those in attendance to put His words into practice.

Closing Song:

As the Man of the House continued,Roland begins to open up to some of the cheerleaders. As Roland begins to listen, he takes steps in restoring his relationship with his daughter. When you have opportunities to meet new people this summer, you’ll be surprised by what you learn when you become an active listener.

by Jay Mankus

Video of the Day: Clip from the 2002 movie “Men in Black II”

Bible Verse of the Day:

So then, dear friends, since you are looking forward to this, make every effort to be found spotless, blameless and at peace with him. ¹⁵ Bear in mind that our Lord’s patience means salvation, just as our dear brother Paul also wrote you with the wisdom that God gave him. ¹⁶ He writes the same way in all his letters, speaking in them of these matters. His letters contain some things that are hard to understand, which ignorant and unstable people distort, as they do the other Scriptures, to their own destruction, 2 Peter 3:14-16.

Biblical Connection:

Agent K asks to leave the agency at the end of Men in Black I, returning to his former life. Yet, when the world is in danger of an alien attack, Agent J finds K working in a post office. Searching for the Light of Zartha, Agent K’s memory begins to return. Getting emotionally involved with the Queen of Zartha, K realized he comprised his agent’s status by not following the rules set by the agency.

Peter writes to first century Christians to confront the topic of false teachers inside the church. This issue continues today as leaders have a tendency to add, alter or subtract from the commands of the Bible to excuse their actions, Deuteronomy 4:2. Subsequently, Peter call believers to be found blameless and spotless. This is a call to follow the commands set by God in the Bible.

Closing Song:

I joined 2 different accountability groups when I was in college. While one was more of a sharing group, the other challenged me to put my faith into action. When one of these individuals caught me in an inappropriate relationship, I was convicted like agent K with a sense of urgency to follow the rules established for life and at work.

by Jay Mankus