Tag Archives: Gene Hackman

The Cost of Sacrifice

Posted on October 13, 2022 by expressyourself4him

Prior to taking a walk with his disciples, Jesus rebukes James and John for their worldly mindset in Luke 9:54-56. This verbal admonishment appears to have gotten all of the disciple’s attention. Rather than say something stupid, the disciples listened intently to Jesus’ interactions with three individuals who were eager to become one of Jesus’ disciples. What they all heard was the cost of sacrifice.

And it occurred that as they were going along the road, a man said to Him, Lord, I will follow You wherever You go. 58 And Jesus told him, Foxes have lurking holes and the birds of the air have roosts and nests, but the Son of Man has no place to lay His head. 59 And He said to another, [v]Become My disciple, side with My party, and accompany Me! But he replied, Lord, permit me first to go and bury ([w]await the death of) my father. 60 But Jesus said to him, Allow the dead to bury their own dead; but as for you, go and publish abroad [x]throughout all regions the kingdom of God, Luke 9:57-60.

Jesus wasn’t being rude to these young Christians hoping to join His ministry team. Rather, Jesus was like a spiritual drill sergeant trying to expose the flaws and weaknesses of their faith. In the classic film Hoosiers, Gene Hackman tells parents of his basketball team that his players have to be stripped down before he can build them back up the right way. This is what Jesus was doing in today’s passage.

Another also said, I will follow You, Lord, and become Your disciple and side with Your party; but let me first say good-bye to those at my home. 62 Jesus said to him, No one who puts his hand to the plow and looks back [to the things behind] is fit for the kingdom of God, Luke 9:61-62.

I’ve spent the last decade of my life in a comfortable place. My move to South Carolina this summer taught me about the cost of sacrifice. While I gave up a great paying job that was an ideal fit for my talents, family is more important than making money. Sure, good paying jobs provide luxuries in life. In the end, you have to solely trust in the Lord to provide, Matthew 6:33. May today’s blog help remind you of the cost of sacrifice.

by Jay Mankus

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A Personal Example to Follow

Posted on February 18, 2022 by expressyourself4him

Every success organization has advisers, counselor, instructors, mentors and teachers to show new people the ropes of how things are done. These staff members educate and train newcomers so that no one is confused, gets lost or simply doesn’t know what to do. Jesus gathered together a group of twelve men, spent three years living with them and demonstrated a godly personal example to follow.

For even to this were you called [it is inseparable from your vocation]. For Christ also suffered for you, leaving you [His personal] example, so that you should follow in His footsteps. 22 He was guilty of no sin, neither was deceit (guile) ever found on His lips, 1 Peter 2:21-22.

One of the hardest aspects of becoming a Bible believing Christian is changing bad habits. As Jesus started traveling with these handpicked men, there were plenty of areas for improvement. The four Gospels are filled with accounts of Jesus addressing and confronting ungodly beliefs picked up by disciples over the course of their lives. Like Gene Hackman in Hoosiers, you have to break down your players before you build them back up.

When He was reviled and insulted, He did not revile or offer insult in return; [when] He was abused and suffered, He made no threats [of vengeance]; but he trusted [Himself and everything] to Him Who judges fairly. 24 He personally bore our sins in His [own] body on the tree [g][as on an altar and offered Himself on it], that we might die (cease to exist) to sin and live to righteousness. By His wounds you have been healed, 1 Peter 2:23-24.

Jesus wasn’t like modern day politicians who talk a good game. Rather, Jesus was the real deal who lived out the principles that he introduced to these 12 men. As the Passion Week began, Jesus began to open up about the suffering that He was about to face. Despite being falsely accused to a crime He didn’t commit, Jesus became obedient to death on a cross. Through the good, bad and ugly circumstances in life, Jesus provided a personal example to follow.

by Jay Mankus

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Somebody’s Watching You

Posted on April 14, 2018 by expressyourself4him

Hollywood was been warning individuals for years through movies that somebody is watching you.  In 1995 Sandra Bullock starred in The Net, illustrating computer security concerns of the world wide net in this cyber murder mystery.  Three years later Will Smith, Gene Hackman and Jon Voight took this concept further in Enemy of the State highlighting how satellites and technological advances can be used to spy on American citizens.  Twenty years later, Google, Facebook and tracking devices have made this fear a reality, using cell phones and tablets to actually track where you are and what you’re saying if certain features aren’t turned off.  While the popularity of social media continues to climb, many have become distracted, unaware that somebody is watching you.

The eyes of the Lord are in every place, keeping watch on the evil and the good, Proverbs 15:3.

From a spiritual sense, the somebody who is watching your every move is the Creator of the heavens and earth.  The biblical term for this supernatural ability is omnipresence.  According to various authors who have written books describing judgment day, this data is collected over the course of each life.  After you die, every deed is made into a movie reel as your entire life flashes before your eyes.  Following this presentation, God separates the sheep, followers of Jesus from goats, those who rejected God by their actions, behavior and deeds.  If this process does occur, this serves as a warning for the world to shape up by giving your life to Jesus before your hourglass of time runs out on earth.

Can a man hide himself in secret places so that I cannot see him? declares the Lord. Do I not fill heaven and earth? declares the Lord, Jeremiah 23:24.

After wandering away from the Lord during my first semester of college, I came to my senses feeling empty by what the world had to offer.  Through Christian groups on the University of Delaware campus, I went through what I call my spiritual rehab.  On one occasion I was introduced to the word integrity.  A friend illustrated this in terms of doing what’s right when nobody is looking.  This image should be the mindset for all modern day Christians.  For some reason, human nature makes people believe darkness or secrecy can hide sins from God.  However, the Old Testament prophet Jeremiah exposes this false notion.  In view of this truth, may the Holy Spirit fill you with integrity so that as God watches your deeds will be pleasing in His sight.

by Jay Mankus

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What Good is that Doing Anyone?

Posted on June 22, 2016 by expressyourself4him

After failing to show the attitude necessary for being a good team mate, our coaching staff benched one of our starters last week.  The only problem is by doing so, this decision left us with only 8 players on the ball field.  However, sometimes you have to take a stand, hold your ground and send a message to a specific individual.

A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones, Proverbs 17:22.

In the film Hoosiers, Gene Hackman plays legendary coach Norm Dale.  Based upon a true story, this former college basketball coach running from a tainted past, tries to send a message to his new high school team.  As parents try to sway his coaching style, Dale disciplines a student who begins to play outside of his system.  When Hickory’s last remaining bench player fouls out, Dale decides to play the rest of the game with 4 players.

And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him, Colossians 3:17.

When one person becomes bigger than their group or team, people notice this.  However, in an age starving for leadership, few have the guts to sacrifice today for a better tomorrow.  This might explain why certain college programs are either under investigation or on probation for ethics violations, doing whatever it takes to win.  What good is this doing anyone unless truth prevails.  There is something far superior than instant gratification.  May the conviction of the Holy Spirit lead you to make the right decisions in the future.

by Jay Mankus

 

 

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