Tag Archives: John Lennon

Whatever You Imagine is Possible?

The United Negro College Fund used the expression “the mind is a terrible thing to waste” as their education slogan. While I agree with this statement, an active and vivid imagination is just as important for children and adults who are about to give up on life. Imagination inspired John Lennon to write a song. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. imagined a country where people would no longer be judged by the color of their skin, but by the content of their character. Whatever you imagine is possible to a certain extent.

And the Lord said, Behold, they are one people and they have [a]all one language; and this is only the beginning of what they will do, and now nothing they have imagined they can do will be impossible for them, Genesis 11:6.

Moses writes about a mighty hunter named Nimrod who imagined the first suburbs. in between the cities of Babel and Calneh. While the architect of the City of Babel and its mighty tower is not named, this idea came from the imagination of Nimrod who wasn’t afraid to dream big. Based upon the passage above, God believed that mankind could accomplish anything that they imagined if there was only one language on earth.

Again I tell you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to go into the kingdom of heaven. 25 When the disciples heard this, they were utterly puzzled (astonished, bewildered), saying, Who then can be saved [[g]from eternal death]? 26 But Jesus looked at them and said, With men this is impossible, but all things are possible with God, Matthew 19:24-26.

Fast forward to the New Testament as Jesus shares an analogy about the struggles rich people will have in regard to eternity. Based upon the emotional reaction of Jesus’ disciples, they were deflated. Jesus’ expression of a camel going through the eye of a needle, where they are tied up outside the city gates, seems impossible on the surface. However, with God anything is possible. Therefore, if you’re not afraid of imagining great things for your future, you have a chance if this dream aligns with God’s will. Only time will tell upon bended knees in prayer.

by Jay Mankus

What Love Can Do for You

From a musical point of view, the Beatles were one of the most influential bands of all time. Despite being from England, the sound of the Beatles was embraced by Americans and idolized as their popularity grew. From a spiritual perspective, there isn’t much that John Lennon, Paul McCartney and I agree upon. However, there was one project released as a non-album single in July 1967 that I believe in. The title “All You Need is You” said all you need to say.

For I have derived great joy and comfort and encouragement from your love, because the hearts of the saints [who are your fellow Christians] have been cheered and refreshed through you, [my] brother. Therefore, though I have abundant boldness in Christ to charge you to do what is fitting and required and your duty to do, Philemon 1:7-8.

One of the apostle Paul’s first century letters highlight what love can do for your life. Paul is reminded by comfort, encouragement and joy derived from the love of Jesus poured out upon him from fellow believers. When the hearts of a saint are full of the Holy Spirit, love bubbles over as a form of spiritual refreshment. Paul’s advice to one of the servants on his ministry team is to do what it fitting and required as a child of God.

Be alert and on your guard; stand firm in your faith ([b]your conviction respecting man’s relationship to God and divine things, keeping the trust and holy fervor born of faith and a part of it). Act like men and be courageous; grow in strength! 14 Let everything you do be done in love (true love to God and man as inspired by God’s love for us), 1 Corinthians 16:13-14.

Paul takes a different direction in a letter to the Church at Corinth. Love doesn’t come naturally. Rather, you need to be alert daily, regularly on your guard and stand firm in your faith. As Christians maintain their conviction and devotion for God, love can keep you going even when you don’t have the strength to carry on. According to Paul, love should be your motivation for everything you do, loving others as Christ loved the church.

by Jay Mankus