Tag Archives: humorous

Family Drama

In this age of social media, thoughts are shared daily in the form of blogs, pictures, posts, tweets, and videos. While I don’t recommend it, dirty language is shared daily which adds fuel to family drama. Before concluding the events of Isaac’s life, Moses highlights one dramatic scene in today’s featured passage. After being duped by Rebekah and Jacob, Isaac is on the verge of having a heart attacked, shocked and stunned.

And Isaac his father said to him, Who are you? And he replied, I am your son, your firstborn, Esau. 33 Then Isaac trembled and shook violently, and he said, Who? Where is he who has hunted game and brought it to me, and I ate of it all before you came and I have blessed him? Yes, and he shall be blessed, Genesis 27:32-33.

Depending upon your mood or mental state, you may overreact. If someone says the wrong thing at the wrong time, you might explode, going off on family members who push you over the edge. In this age of cellphones, videos may go viral whether you like it or not. While some You Tubes may be humorous, others are downright embarrassing, resulting in more family drama. Subsequently, the next family outing will be dicey with many on edge.

When Esau heard the words of his father, he cried out with a great and bitter cry and said to his father, Bless me, even me also, O my father! 35 [Isaac] said, Your brother came with crafty cunning and treacherous deceit and has taken your blessing. 36 [Esau] replied, Is he not rightly named Jacob [the supplanter]? For he has supplanted me these two times: he took away my birthright, and now he has taken away my blessing! Have you not still a blessing reserved for me? – Genesis 27:34-36

The apostle Paul told the Church at Galatia, “you reap what you sow,” Galatians 6:7-8. Although Jacob received the blessing that he desired, payback will come in the form of Laban. Just as Jacob deceived his father, Laban would do the same to Jacob. The rock group Ratt sings about this in Round and Round, “What comes around goes around.” To avoid family drama in the future, start sowing fruits of the Spirit, Galatians 6:22-23.

by Jay Mankus

The Sons of Thunder

Nick names provide a window into a person’s soul.  Although some may be based upon an embarrassing moment, humorous personality or sarcasm, nicknames serve as terms of endearment, sobriquet or a tag that sticks.  If you allow yourself to become vulnerable in a social setting, sooner or later you too will receive one.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3iBcE_l7pWQ

In the first century, two young fisherman were given an unusual nickname in Mark 3:17, known as the sons of thunder.  Growing up on their father’s boat, James and John likely passed on fishing stories to the disciples.  The origin of this label has 3 possible explanations.  First, since fisherman like to go out in the rain, perhaps whenever the boys went along with dad, it began to thunder.  On the other hand, thunder can also represent someone with a bad temper, wearing emotions on your sleeves.  Finally, since voices echo on water, each might have possessed a loud voice, bouncing off the water like thunder.  Whatever the source, people are watching to see who you really are.

Most of the nicknames I accrued over time occurred in either high school or college.  Blue Jay, Mank the Tank and Praying Mantis are just a few of the ones that come to mind.  While reflecting on this topic, I began to wonder, how will people remember me?  Was I a hypocrite, jerk or pain in the butt?  I’m sure some of my former students have strong opinions either way.  Though people will continue to dole out nicknames, make sure the one’s you earn glorify God.

Feel free to share your favorite nick name and the context in which it was coined.

by Jay Mankus