Tag Archives: instant replay

Upon Further Review

Now that most professional sports have incorporated technology into their competitions, instant replay is now used in the MLB, NBA, NHL, and NFL. The National Football League was the first major sport to adopt and use instant replay. This is where I derived today’s title as once a final decision was made on the field, the official would begin his call with the words, “Upon Further Review.”

Then Judah told Onan, Marry your brother’s widow; live with her and raise offspring for your brother. But Onan knew that the family would not be his, so when he cohabited with his brother’s widow, he prevented conception, lest he should raise up a child for his brother. 10 And the thing which he did displeased the Lord; therefore He slew him also, Genesis 38:8-10.

The translation of this passage has one of the more discreet uses of words. More traditional Bible translations specifically says that Onan spilled his semen. In other words, Onan pulled out of Tamar just before he ejaculated. Subsequently, if you have ever done a search of masturbation in the Bible, Genesis 38:9 tends to be the first verse to appear as it indirectly refers to this term.

That each one of you should know how to [c]possess (control, manage) his own [d]body in consecration (purity, separated from things profane) and honor, Not [to be used] in the passion of lust like the heathen, who are ignorant of the true God and have no knowledge of His will, That no man transgress and overreach his brother and defraud him in this matter or defraud his brother in business. For the Lord is an avenger in all these things, as we have already warned you solemnly and [e]told you plainly. For God has not called us to impurity but to consecration [to dedicate ourselves to the most thorough purity], 1 Thessalonians 4:4-7.

If you ever wondered if masturbation was acceptable and pleasing in God’s eyes, the sudden death of Onan should serve as a clear warning. Upon further review of God’s goal and intent for marriage, Genesis 9:1, is to propagate the world by having children. While Onan enjoyed the pleasures of sex, he did not fulfill God’s ultimate desire, Psalm 127:3-5. This is why God prohibits individuals from masturbating despite whatever public education is currently teaching.

by Jay Mankus

Under Further Review

Beginning in 1986, the National Football League adopted a limited instant replay review for close calls made by officials during the course of a game.  The current policy was made permanent in 1999, giving coaches two challenges per game.  If both challenges are won, a third challenge is awarded to this team.  Initially, referees stared into a camera with something like a voting booth curtain for privacy.  Today, officials are given tablets to speed up this process.  Once a determination is reached, the head official begins with the phrase “upon further review.”

Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already arrived at my goal, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me, Philippians 3:12.

This expression can also be applied to evaluating your life.  The end of one year and beginning of new one serves as a great time to take the time to reflect.  You may even ask yourself some of the following questions.  Did I attain any of the dreams, goals or objectives I laid out?  How did the circumstances of the year influence me for the better or worse?  Am I closer to fulfilling my aspirations in life or do I need to change course quickly so that hope does not drown?  While this may not help you initially, it’s a good starting point to see what needs to change in 2018.

For nothing will be impossible with God, Luke 1:37.

At first glance, 2017 was a painful year, saying good bye to my cousin Billy and father in law Jim.  These events led my wife and I to sit down to create a will just in case death comes knocking.  Another setback was receiving a rejection letter from Hollywood for my screen play Express Yourself.  This news crushed my spirits initially, but has led me to begin working on Dragged Behind the Devil’s Door in 2018, a script that was rejected by Hollywood in 2016 but did receive favorable comments by judges.  Perhaps, I am on a wild goose chase, wasting countless hours reflecting, studying and writing.  Yet, as a former professional athlete, I’m swinging for the fences hoping that I will eventually connect.  Right now my batting average is 000, but upon further review I serve a God who makes the impossible possible.

by Jay Mankus