Tag Archives: movies

It Started With a Girl

Movie cinemas introduce the masses to memorable scenes.  Once available to viewers On Demand, DVD or through reruns on television, classic lines become part of daily conversations.  Whether its Good Will Hunting’s “How about them apples,” Titanic’s “I’m king of the world” or Remember the Titans “If we don’t come together now as a team, we too will be destroyed,” art often imitates life.  As for me, it started with a girl.

My sophomore year of high school was a turning point for me.  Too worried about pleasing others, my offer to attend a homecoming dance with a girl on the cross country was rejected.  To make matters worse, she ended up going with one of my teammates.  The final straw and knife in the back was when I noticed each of them locking lips on the dance floor.  This week of agony led me to a severe state of depression.  Although, it started with a girl, this trial ended with a faith in Christ, Romans 10:9-10.

From my perspective, God does work in mysterious ways.  In fact, my attraction to church, also started with a girl, who became my high school sweetheart.  My parents didn’t have to force me to attend a local youth group.  Rather, as soon as several attractive girls began to go, my friends and I followed.  In life, you never know what or who the Lord will use to steer you toward His will.  Although it started with a girl for me, God will do what it takes to lead his children back to the fold, John 10:1-6.

by Jay Mankus

 

Quiet Waters

Words like silent, tranquil and undisturbed seem so far away from reality.  While America was sleeping, peace has been replaced by violence, slipped into minds full of mush through video games.  Those who are too busy to care, indulge or play, find their amusement is movies, pop culture and the latest car chase on television.  A life full of distractions, interruptions and noise drowns out the serenity of God’s quiet waters.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9ChADh1zt5I

This promise of Psalm 23:2 may be a flashback from the image portrayed in Psalm 1:1-3.  Those blessed souls who are able to outran the wicked, flee from the presence of careless sinners and avoid joining a crowd full of mockers find their way through the jungle of life.  Beyond the temptations, lies a bubbling brook, full of love, joy and peace.  This living water offered by Jesus in John 4:10 produces conifers, trees that stay green 365 days a year.  Prosperity is like the morning dew, a subtle reminder of God’s presence in this sacred place.

Once you experience this hidden spring, its hard to find enjoyment in the ways of the world.  Sure, temporary pleasures abound, yet nothing satisfies, quickly losing its allure.  The old Southwest Airlines’ commercials have it partially right.  Yes, you’ve got to get away.  However, where you need to arrive is upon the shores of God’s quiet waters.  Like Kokomo, its a mythical destination that only a few find, Matthew 7:13-14.  May the spirit of God, guide you, step by step, until you reach the healing pool, John 5:1-7.  It doesn’t matter why you came or what state you’re in, as long as you believe entering quiet waters will leave you transformed, once and for all.  Get fulfilled today, Matthew 5:6.

by Jay Mankus

From Water Into Wine

As in the movies, every human being, regardless of their super natural powers has a weakness, 1 Corinthians 12:4-7.  Super Man had his kryptonite, the Wicked Witch of the West water and Eve her apple.  When the lights go out on life, sin is the only thing preventing individuals from the miracle of eternal life.

Unfortunately, doubt, first impressions and stereotypes keep most from living the life God intended, Ephesians 2:10.  The doubting Thomas’, Debbie downers and preconceived notions people pick up from their surroundings create a dome, void of any biblical miracles.  Thus, the devil truly does steal your dreams, kill remnants of hope and destroy the desire to fulfill God’s will for your life, John 10:10.

Where O Lord are the days of your miracles?  Why can’t we see another instance of water turned into wine?  If you are like me, desperate for answers, glimpses of progress or hungry for results, you’ve turned to the right place.  Behind the scenes, God is at work, serving as the God of the living, John 11:38-44.  While you don’t hear of many modern day Lazarus’, the Holy Spirit is alive and active, Hebrews 4:12.  The spiritually dead are being revitalized, raised up by the Word of God, John 3:16-17, turning tears of water into everlasting wine, John 4:13-14.  Taste and see how good the Lord is, Psalm 34:8!

by Jay Mankus

The Ghost

Upon hearing the word ghost, movie buffs immediate think of the 1990 classic starring Whoopi Goldberg, Patrick Swayze and Demi Moore.  Modern enthusiasts might also recall The Pacifier starring Vin Diesel, searching for a secret program called the Ghost.  Yet, few people consider the words in Scripture which suggest Jesus’ own disciples believed in ghosts.

When Jesus walked on the water in Matthew 14:22-26, the disciples assumed the figure they saw was a ghost.  Later on, following his resurrection, the 11 remaining disciples once again mistook Jesus for a ghost, Luke 24:36-37.  In his conversation with Peter in John 21:15-19, Jesus indirectly mentions the Holy Ghost.  Based upon the red letters in verse 18, someone else will lead Peter, later on in life.  This Ghost is described by the apostle Paul in Galatians 5:25, a presence Christian’s should strive to follow.

Unless you have faith, seeking out an invisible force seems crazy.  However, if you possess the trust Jesus details in John 20:29, your mind will be open to the Holy Ghost.  Directions have been enclosed within Romans 12:1-2 to start you on your way.  Although many will not understand your decision, 1 Corinthians 2:14, God will reward you for your faithfulness, Matthew 25:23.

by Jay Mankus

The Not-So Ultimate Gift

One of my favorite movies of the last decade is The Ultimate Gift based upon Jim Stovall’s best selling book.  Completed in 2006, this movie centers around Jason Stevens, a pampered rich kid who never had to work a day in his life.  When his grandfather, Red Stevens dies, he is left with a series of 12 tasks called gifts.  Thinking riches are attached, Jason slowly begins to develop motivation to complete these assignments.  What Jason doesn’t realize, this wild goose chase ends up transforming his life from a spoiled brat into a responsible, self reliant man.

Unfortunately, I think I am living out this movie without any cameras, riches or progress.  My first assignment is the gift of unemployment which was bestowed upon me last February.  Inspired to complete a movie God placed in my mind, I spent hundreds of hours, often burning the midnight hour to finish a 90 page script.  A few temporary jobs later, rejection letters galore and daily road blocks, I am back where I started, faced with editing my script, redoing my resume and finding a permanent job.  Like the boy that cried wolf, Bill Murray in Groundhog Day and Jim Carrey in The Truman Show, each day I experience is a not so ultimate gift.

The only thought I can grasp is that maybe all the strange circumstances I have encountered will make a great book one day like Bill Murray’s cross country trek in Larger Than Life with an elephant.  Hollywood can’t make up all of my bizarre happenings I have experienced: an undetective defect in my resume, a demon possessed computer, dead cell phones, false prophet encounters, sure thing leads that don’t materialize and following visions from my dreams without any results.  Despite my complaining, its only been 15 months, a far cry from Israel wandering in the wilderness.  If David had to wait for several years to become king of Israel, I guess I can suck it up until my not-so ultimate gift becomes the gift of work.

by Jay Mankus