Tag Archives: NBA Playoffs

Something to Talk About

As a former member of the print media for 2 years, I’m familiar with some of the tricks of this trade.  When I was given an assignment for a new piece, I usually started to ask probing questions to uncover someone’s hot button issue.  Once you discover this subject or topic, the best thing you can do is just let them talk.  Unless you were detached from the media, most Americans learned last week that Donald Sterling, owner of the NBA’s Los Angeles Clippers has a history of racism.

Whether his taped conversation was legal in California or not, the more Sterling spoke, the clearer his racist tendencies became.  According to the Bible, the fool does not demonstrate restraint, often thinking out loud.  Meanwhile, the prudent illustrate self control, holding their tongue, Proverbs 17:27-28.  In this age of instant messages, photo bombs and twitter, filters are disappearing as people are wearing emotions on their sleeves.  As members of society open their mouths, bystanders are hearing what it stored up in the hearts of mankind, Luke 6:45.

Despite the School House Rock campaign using Saturday morning advertisements to proclaim this country as, “the great American melting pot” in the 1970’s,  this country was mostly segregated until the 1980’s.  Thus, blacks and whites did not know, understand or want to stand hand and hand unless forced as displayed in Remember the Titans.  However, progress is being made as a generation is growing up, striving to see others by the content of their character, not the color of their skin.  While ambulance chasers in the media continue to kick the Donald Sterling’s in life while they’re down, just listen to their words for they like Sterling will expose who they really are or what they want.  Just let them talk…

by Jay Mankus

 

Moore…ning

In a twinkling of an eye, the landscape of Moore, Oklahoma was forever changed on Monday by a 2 mile wide EF5 tornado.  This suburb of Oklahoma City, located about a 30 minute drive south of the state capital is reeling as it picks up the pieces from a devastating storm system that left a path of destruction over 10 miles long.  When news first broke of one elementary losing the lives of 9 children, a spirit of mourning went out to the families, parents and school faculty.

While members of my little league team was crying over our third consecutive loss tonight, the pictures on television have put life back into its proper perspective.  Houses can be rebuilt and businesses can be put back together, but on this earth we all have just one life to live.  May this tragedy serve as a wake up call to those of us whose priorities are off track.  Though many needs will require financial gifts like those pledged by Kevin Durant on the OKC Thunder, for a simple prayer based around Psalm 34:18 should suffice for now.In times of trials, people are forced to pull together, revealing the true you.  Thus, as neighbors of Moore mourn for those who have passed and frantically search for those still missing, lift up this town in prayer.  The miracles you hear about today or tomorrow may have occurred due to your faithful prayers.  Ask God to send his angels into action to heal the brokenhearted and crushed souls.  As M.C. Hammer once urged Americans to do, “You’ve Got to Pray!”

by Jay Mankus