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Engaging Our Culture: February 9-Passing on Love to the Next Generation

Posted on February 9, 2025 by expressyourself4him

Video of the Day: Scene from the 1994 film “Forrest Gump”

Bible Verse of the Day:

This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers and sisters. 17 If anyone has material possessions and sees a brother or sister in need but has no pity on them, how can the love of God be in that person? 18 Dear children, let us not love with words or speech but with actions and in truth, 1 John 3:16-18.

Biblical Connection:

Tom Hanks is Forrest Gump, a momma’s boy whose life is woven into historic events. Despite his disabilities and social disfunctions, Forrest spends every moment that he can with his only friend Jenny, Robin Wright. As Jenny leaves Alabama and goes off on her own to find love and peace, Forrest never stops writing. When their paths cross, Forrest always defends and protects the only girl he’s ever known and loved. When Jenny gets sick, she comes back home to spend her final days with Forrest.

Today’s Bible author was given a special nickname by Jesus in Mark 3:17, Boanerges. John was one of the sons of thunder as well as the disciple whom Jesus loved. As John writes letters to first century Christians scattered throughout the world following Nero’s persecution in Rome, today’s passage mirrors Jesus’ words in John 3:16-17. As John writes to correct false teachers about God’s character and nature, genuine love lays down their lives for others. John understood this as he outlived all other disciples, the upcoming generation needed to know the love of Jesus. Just as Forrest prays to his dead wife for direction, Christians must show the love of Jesus to the next generation.

Closing Song:

The only way to pass on God’s love to the next generation is to be personally transformed by the love of Jesus.

by Jay Mankus

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Engaging Our Culture: February 4 – You Complete Me

Posted on February 4, 2025 by expressyourself4him

Video of the Day: Scene from the 1996 film “Jerry Maguire”

Bible Verse of the Day:

The man said, “This is now bone of my bones and flesh of my flesh; she shall be called ‘woman,’ for she was taken out of man.” 24 That is why a man leaves his father and mother and is united to his wife, and they become one flesh. 25 Adam and his wife were both naked, and they felt no shame, Genesis 2:23-25.

Biblical Connection:

Walking out after being fired, Jerry Maguire (Tom Cruise) pleads with co-workers to see if anyone is willing to go into business with him. Dorthy Boyd played by Renee Zellweger is the only one willing to take this risk. After losing the number one pick in the NFL draft, Maguire is down to one client, Rod Tidwell, an aging wide receiver with an attitude. After falling in love, Jerry and Dorthy get married. However, when their little project fails to make any money, Jerry and Dorthy fall on hard times and separate. This is the context of today’s scene.

When God gave Adam authority over the Garden of Eden and all the animals, he searched for a suitable helper. After covering every square each of this majestic place, no soul mate was found. This sets the stage for the creation of Eve, the first woman on earth. Based upon the words of Moses, Adam was blown away when his eyes gazed upon Eve. While many Americans rely on pets to become life companions, this special connection doesn’t complete human beings. If you’re patient, pray and wait long enough, you too may find someone who completes you.

Closing Song:

Go There With You was the first dance Leanne and I shared at our wedding. The lyrics serve as a prayer to walk with the Lord through life, hand and hand until God calls one of us home.

by Jay Mankus

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Engaging Our Culture: January 2-Avoid Repeating the Mistakes of Your Past

Posted on January 2, 2025 by expressyourself4him

Video of the Day: Scene from the 2000 film “Remember the Titans”

Passage of the Day:

Now these things occurred as examples to keep us from setting our hearts on evil things as they did, 1 Corinthians 10:6.

Biblical Connection:

The context of today’s video takes place in dormitories near Gettysburg, Pennsylvania. The T.C. Williams High School football team is the middle of training camp, away from their home in Alexandria, Virginia. This decision was made to avoid the distractions of desegregation taking place in the early 1970’s as T.C. Williams began the integration process. An all-black school and all-white school were consolidated to become one, T.C. Williams High School. As Coach Yoast played by Will Patton is demoted from head to assistant coach, this only increases the racial tension as Denziel Washington, Coach Boone, is elevated to the top position. The early morning jog followed by Denziel’s emotional plea is designed to bring his team together before racial divide tears it apart.

The Biblical connection to this video comes from the apostle Paul who wrote letters to the Church at Corinth. These first century epistles were sent to help new churches grow or get back on track if Paul received news of Christians reverting back to their former way of life prior to entering into a personal relationship with Jesus. The context of 1 Corinthians 10:1-5 is a brief history of past errors, mistakes and sins committed by the nation of Israel. Just as Denziel Washington addresses bigotry, hatred, and stereotypes in his speech, each choice that you make leads to either life or death, Deuteronomy 30:15-18. As 2025 begins its second day, strive to learn from your past mistakes. Don’t continue down a path of self-destruction. Rather, take a lesson from the dead, learn from their past failures so that living the abundant life that Jesus promised is possible this year.

Closing Song:

An interactive blog to engage our culture in 2025 by Jay Mankus.

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The End of Days

Posted on December 6, 2014 by expressyourself4him

Whether you pick up a news paper to read, watch headline news or listen to daily conversations, life is full of opinions.  Each voice filters current events through their own worldview, trying to sway others to embrace their beliefs.  However, some arguments deviate from the truth, based upon emotions rather than the facts.  The only conclusion I have come to recently is we are living in the end of days.p

Jesus first gave initial warning signs in Matthew 24:6-15.  The end of days is compared to a pregnant woman enduring labor pains.  Contractions will begin with false Messiahs, followed by wars and rumors of war.  In addition, earthquakes and famines will bring death, suffering and trials to the ends of the earth.  As these pains intensify, persecution, hatred and wickedness will spread.  One of Jesus’ final statements rings true today, “the love of most will grow cold.”

I’m no prophet nor will I make any predictions.  Yet, as I look to the Bible to try to understand what’s going on in the world, the apostle Paul builds upon Jesus’ words, 2 Thessalonians 2:3-9.  In the last days before Jesus returns, Satan will influence human being to believe lies.  As soon as minds become deceived, lawlessness will reign.  Once a baby is ready to come out, you can’t stop this natural process.  However, if these signs are a precursor to the end of days, prepare your life now or you may be left behind.

by Jay Mankus

 

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