Tag Archives: Nevada

The Message Behind the Music-August 15

Posted on August 15, 2026 by expressyourself4him

Elvis Presley – Viva Las Vegas (Remastered)

Inspiration Behind Viva Las Vegas:

Viva Las Vegas was written by Doc Pomus and Mort Shuman for the 1964 film Viva Las Vegas. This film followed the story of Lucky Jackson, played by Elvis, competing in Las Vegas’ first ever Grand Prix. Like most films, there is romance between Elvis and Ann-Magaret, with Vegas as the backdrop. The lyrics point to Las Vegas as a symbol of entertainment, nightlife, and showbiz extravagance.

Biblical Application:

Be wise in the way you act toward outsiders; make the most of every opportunity. 6 Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone, Colossians 4:5-6.

Exegesis of Viva Las Vegas:

Bright light city gonna set my soul
Gonna set my soul on fire
Got a whole lot of money that’s ready to burn,
So get those stakes up higher
There’s a thousand pretty women waitin’ out there
And they’re all livin’ devil may care
And I’m just the devil with love to spare
Viva Las Vegas, Viva Las Vegas

The neon and flashy lighting made Elvis excited. He’s in a gambling mood where money isn’t a concern. Beside the rush of gambling, there are plenty of women looking to connect with someone, even if the Devil is behind this desire. Elvis doesn’t mind being used, embracing the atmosphere of Vegas.

How I wish that there were more
Than the twenty-four hours in the day
‘Cause even if there were forty more
I wouldn’t sleep a minute away
Oh, there’s black jack and poker and the roulette wheel
A fortune won and lost on ev’ry deal
All you need’s a strong heart and a nerve of steel
Viva Las Vegas, Viva Las Vegas

There isn’t enough time to do everything that Elvis wants to do. Elvis enjoys the nightlife, not wanting to miss any opportunity that may come along. There are plenty of options for gambling, but only the nerves of steel and a strong heart break even or better. This is Las Vegas.

Viva Las Vegas with you neon flashin’
And your one armbandits crashin’
All those hopes down the drain
Viva Las Vegas turnin’ day into nighttime
Turnin’ night into daytime
If you see it once
You’ll never be the same again

The fancy lights lure you inside, but the house usually wins, crushing the hopes and dreams of countless participants. Since the Casinos never close, you never know if it is night or day.

I’m gonna keep on the run
I’m gonna have me some fun
If it costs me my very last dime
If I wind up broke up well
I’ll always remember that I had a swingin’ time
I’m gonna give it ev’rything I’ve got
Lady luck please let the dice stay hot
Let me shout a seven with ev’ry shot
Viva Las Vegas, Viva Las Vegas,
Viva, Viva Las Vegas

Gambling can be like a shot of adrenaline, creating a rush within someone, even if it means losing everything you have. Living with a go for broke attitude. Hoping and wishing for luck to be on their side. A reference to craps. Inside of Casinos, people lay their fortune and life on the line.

Final Thoughts:

My father would bet me a dollar when NFL football games were on television. Every time I bet, I lost. After college, I stopped betting completely, having no desire to rely on chance to hit it big. Subsequently, while some may enjoy going to casinos, I’d rather be at the beach, boogie boarding in the ocean. That’s how I live on the edge.

by Jay Mankus

Leave a comment

Posted in truth and tagged , , , , . Bookmark the permalink.

Satan’s Pawn Shop

Posted on September 21, 2020 by expressyourself4him

The reality television show Pawn Stars debuted on July 19th, 2009. Hosted by The Gold & Silver Pawn Shop just outside of Las Vegas, Nevada, a cast of characters and unique items have entertained Americans for more than a decade. Like a modern version of the Antique Roadshow, owner Rick Harrison discovers hidden treasures every episode. Yet, this popular show conceals the grim definition of pawn, “holding something hostage.”

For those who are according to the flesh and are controlled by its unholy desires set their minds on and pursue those things which gratify the flesh, but those who are according to the Spirit and are controlled by the desires of the Spirit set their minds on and seek those things which gratify the [Holy] Spirit. 6 Now the mind of the flesh [which is sense and reason without the Holy Spirit] is death [death that comprises all the miseries arising from sin, both here and hereafter]. But the mind of the [Holy] Spirit is life and [soul] peace [both now and forever]. 7 [That is] because the mind of the flesh [with its carnal thoughts and purposes] is hostile to God, for it does not submit itself to God’s Law; indeed it cannot, Romans 8:5-7.

When you adopt and apply the term pawn to the spiritual dimension, Satan’s Pawn Shop includes human bodies held captive by sin. The apostle Paul compares this to a mindset focused on your carnal desires or the Holy Spirit. Natural inclinations lean toward gratifying your own fleshly desires. In the previous chapter, Paul details his own failures to keep his body in check, often doing the opposite of what he wanted to do, Romans 7:17-20.

Do you not know that your body is the temple (the very sanctuary) of the Holy Spirit Who lives within you, Whom you have received [as a Gift] from God? You are not your own, 20 You were bought with a price [purchased with a preciousness and paid for, made His own]. So then, honor God and bring glory to Him in your body, 1 Corinthians 6:19-20.

Despite this dire condition, Paul reveals who came to the rescue, paying the price for those held hostage by Satan. This ransom was purchased when Jesus laid down his own life on a cross, 1 Timothy 2:6. While some may try to intervene on God’s behalf, Jesus is the only one who can redeem lives seized by Satan. As the ruler of the air, Ephesians 2:2, the enemy is watching, eager to pounce upon weak and vulnerable souls. This is a typical day inside of Satan’s Pawn Shop highlighted by 1 Peter 5:8-9.

by Jay Mankus

Leave a comment

Posted in truth and tagged , , , , , , , , , . Bookmark the permalink.