Tag Archives: Geico Insurance

Revisiting the Pinocchio Meter

Geico’s advertisement campaigns have been masterful using a gecko lizard, cave man and most recently Pinocchio to illustrate a felt need for insurance. While the cave man and gecko have received the most notoriety, the addition of Pinocchio adds an interesting element. This wooden puppet created by Geppetto is synonymous with lying. Whenever Pinocchio failed to tell the truth, his nose immediately grew to expose his latest lie.

Lying lips are an abomination to the Lord, but those who act faithfully are his delight, Proverbs 12:22.

Pinocchio was first interjected by Geico as a flawed motivational speaker. The latest commercials include a blind date and parking ticket. The sight of Pinocchio’s nose growing with each fib still makes me laugh. However, when cable news pundits, newspapers and reporters alter the context of a statement, exaggerate or stretch the truth daily, it’s not funny at all. Yet, this is the state of America’s politics in 2020 with the nastiest likely yet to come.

A false witness will not go unpunished, and he who breathes out lies will perish, Proverbs 19:9.

It’s a shame that the Ten Commandments are broken daily without much outrage. Whether a member of the media bears false witness, dishonors parents and takes the Lord’s name in vain, the foundation for ethics in America is crumbling. Instead justification and rationalization allow lies to be told if it’s against a certain party or hated individual. Until modern day Pinocchio’s are exposed for their dishonesty, lying ways will continue. If only a Pinocchio Meter was available for all to see, ethics and morality would change. Yet, for now it’s in God’s hand, waiting for Judgment Day for the liars to be revealed.

by Jay Mankus

Push It

If if wasn’t for Geico Insurance commercials, this generation probably wouldn’t be familiar with the Salt-N-Pepper song Push It.  Recent ads illustrate actors being pushed around in a couple of scenes while being hearing chorus.  This song was initially released in 1987 on the B-side of the 45 Tramp.  Perhaps, even Salt-N-Pepper underestimated the popularity of this night club hit, re-released a year later as its own single.

Cast your burden on the Lord, and he will sustain you; he will never permit the righteous to be moved, Psalm 55:22.

In the passage above, King David writes about his broken heart.  After being confronted by the prophet Nathan, David’s adultery with Bathsheba was exposed.  Caught in a web of lies that culminated in the death of Uriah, David had no one else to blame.  Filled with anguish, David dropped to his knees, pleading with God to receive forgiveness.  Although this wasn’t done physically, David mentally pushed all of the burdens he was carrying, placing each upon the feet of God.

Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls, Matthew 11:28-29.

In the first century, Jesus takes push it to a new level.  Understanding the human condition, Jesus verbalized the pain which many try to cope with alone.  However, Jesus encourages individuals to take the burdens  bringing you down and place them at the foot of the cross.  Holding on to this baggage will only wear people out over the long haul.  Therefore, don’t put this off any further.  Rather, push it, laying all your burdens upon a God of grace and forgiveness.

by Jay Mankus