Tag Archives: Sports Center

En Fuego

Posted on September 7, 2018 by expressyourself4him

When Sports Center on ESPN was in its prime, at its height in popularity, the term en fuego was adopted to highlight a player who was on fire.  In other words, this individual had an unbelievable game, rarely missing if at all.  The noun fuego is a volcano in south central Guatemala.  When translated from Spanish into English fuego means fire or flame.  Someone on fire can not be hidden as their light magnifies and pierces through any nearby darkness.

Shout joyfully to the Lord, all the earth.  Serve the Lord with gladness and delight; Come before His presence with joyful singing, Psalm 100:1-2.

In the passage above, the Psalmist describes someone who is spiritually on fire.  Heat is displayed by developing a heart for thanksgiving.  As servants of God begin to verbalize all that God has done, joy begins to overflow like a volcano ready to erupt.  When the Holy Spirit ignites souls with gladness, faith bubbles and oozes out of individuals naturally.  This delight moves Christians toward God’s presence; then enter the Lord’s courts with praise 7 days a week.

“You are the light of [Christ to] the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden; 15 nor does anyone light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. 16 Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good deeds and moral excellence, and [recognize and honor and] glorify your Father who is in heaven, Matthew 5:14-16.

During his sermon on the Mount, Jesus uses an analogy to illustrate en fuego Christian life.  Faith is like a candle light, a flame used to expose the darkness around you.  As individuals add fuel to this fire, this light expands to reveal every imperfection in your life.  The closer you get to God, the more God uncovers your flaws.  This reality makes some fearful, overwhelmed by conviction and guilt.  Yet, if you want to be en fuego spiritually, blazing a trail for others to follow, place your trust in Jesus.  When you do, your faith will shine bright like a city on a hill.

by Jay Mankus

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An Accomplice to Sin

Posted on May 6, 2015 by expressyourself4him

If anyone, then, knows the good they ought to do and doesn’t do it, it is sin for them, James 4:17.

Who me?  I didn’t do anything wrong.  No really officer, “I was just following trying to keep pace with traffic.”  Whenever individuals resort to justifying their actions, they are usually an accomplice to sin.

When the woman saw that the fruit of the tree was good for food and pleasing to the eye, and also desirable for gaining wisdom, she took some and ate it. She also gave some to her husband, who was with her, and he ate it, Genesis 3:6.

Although Eve is the main character during the fall known as original sin, she did have a partner in crime.  Hidden from plain view, Adam overheard the serpent tempting his wife without intervening.  Perhaps he was watching Sports Center, checking out his fantasy team or merely pretending to listen to Eve.  Either way, Adam was an accomplice to the first sin on earth.

Therefore, just as sin entered the world through one man, and death through sin, and in this way death came to all people, because all sinned, Romans 5:12.

According to the apostle Paul, Adam is the main culprit on earth’s first scandal.  Since God clearly spelled out the boundaries to Adam in Genesis 2:16-17, it was his responsibility to pass this information on to his wife as uphold this rule.  Today, anyone who has read the Bible, heard the gospel or is introduced to biblical truths can’t claim ignorance.  As one of Jesus’ disciples once wrote, if you know what to do or not to do and don’t heed the Lord’s principles then you too are an accomplice to sin.

by Jay Mankus

 

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Face Time

Posted on January 22, 2014 by expressyourself4him

Mottos like “Go for the Gusto, Just Do It and Seize the Day” have redefined this generation’s thought process.  Instead of an act like you’ve been there and staying humble mindset, people now crave face time, searching for 15 seconds of fame.  The athlete is striving to make Sports Center, the student Jeopardy and those blessed with an amazing personality hope to get their shot on the next hit reality television show.  Just in case, everyone has their cell phone ready, waiting to hear a call or see a text saying, “you’re on television!”

For me, it was just dumb luck, hanging out at a friend’s 21st birthday in a luxury box at Cleveland’s old Municipal Stadium watching a double headers between the Indians and Yankees.  In the early 90’s, both teams were awful, scoring a total of 4 runs combined during a doubleheader.  After an amazing meal, I watched the end of the first game.  Bored by a 1-0 game, I began talking to the girl next to me who brought a bottom of bubbles with her.  When I got up to get another drink, I actually knocked her bottle over, spilling most of what was left.

Feeling bad, I grabbed an extra plastic handle, to make as many bubbles as possible before the liquid evaporated.  Five minutes later, right field was filled with a stream of bubbles.  Cameramen, apparently also bored with the game, located the source of these bubbles, shining their cameras on both of us for about 30 seconds or so.  Once I saw the video monitor to my left, I stood up, hamming up this moment in time, raising my hands up as if I had scored a touchdown.  Before cell phones were common, I received several phone calls at home later that night from friends across the country asking, “we you at an Indians game?”  To my surprise, my accident led to 15 seconds of face time as our picture made Fox Sports, Headline Sports and Sports Center.

As a coach and parent, youth clearly imitate their sports heroes.  While some of the plays I have seen at the youth and high school level are impressive, celebrations during a game are unnecessary, distracting from the concept of sportsmanship.  I’m not saying applause is bad, but showing off and taunting is out of control.  When the Tim Duncan’s of the sports world are overshadowed by flashy players who hog face time, young people need to follow the quiet players who lead by example.  Although those who play games with the right attitude may not receive the praise others get, God is watching and will honor those who do the right thing, 1 Corinthians 9:25.

by Jay Mankus

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Abandon Ship, Abandon Ship

Posted on December 7, 2012 by expressyourself4him

Edward Smith, Captain of the Titanic said, “I never saw a wreck and never have been wrecked, nor was I ever in any predicament that threatened to end in disaster.”  These famous last words illustrate why the apostle Paul warned people about being over confident in 1 Corinthians 10:12.  Unfortunately, Vince Young, former backup quarterback of the Philadelphia Eagles didn’t learn from history calling the 2011 Eagles the next “dream team,” ending in a nightmare at 8-8.  Starting quarterback Michael Vick revised this statement with one of his own, calling the 2012 Eagles “a dynasty.”  After 8 straight loses following a 3-1 start to this NFL season, at 3-9 its time to abandon ship.

The word hype means to advertise, build up, excite and publicly tout.  If a professional athlete wants to get on ESPN, they will celebrate excessively or show boat to draw attention to themselves hoping to make Sports Center.  Meanwhile, if a journalist wants national exposure, he or she will try to write something controversial so that people will talk about their piece around the water cooler at work.  This probably explains why writers of the 1997 film Titanic include a scene with Leonardo DiCaprio standing up on top of the forward bow, yelling, “I’m king of the world!”  Instead of jumping ship, our culture has abandoned humility.

Gone are the days of acting like you have been there, handing the ball to the official after scoring a touchdown in football.  Or simply running around the bases following a home run in baseball.  Meanwhile, narcissists are running rampant in society, likely due to a lack of discipline, parenting and  the rod of correction, Proverbs 13:24.  Either way you slice it, people are abandoning the principles of the Magna Carta.  Europeans came to this country on ships to fulfill the great commission, Mark 16:15-16, by spreading the gospel to the new world.  Today, revisionists are erasing Christ from our history books as we now live in the Common Era.

As the ship called America is sinking, I am optimistic that Captain Jesus can save us from a sea of despair.  However, its not a bad idea to put on the life vest of salvation, 1 Thessalonians 5:8-9.  When the upcoming financial cliff approaches, be prepared for the worst, 1 Peter 1:3-7 so that through this adventure your faith will be refined for the next ice berg.  As for now, slow speed ahead with your eyes on the prize, Philippians 3:20-21!

by Jay Mankus

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Ascribe to the Lord

Posted on May 20, 2012 by expressyourself4him

At the beginning of Psalm 29, David uses the phrase ascribe to the Lord twice.  The word ascribe means to assign, to give credit and to attribute.  While every person is talented in at least one area of life, having certain gifts, pride often leads people to take the credit for their own strengths.

Prior to becoming the king of Israel, people who were eyewitnesses to David’s act of bravery in 1 Samuel 17 began singing a song in 1 Samuel 18:7.  At any moment, David could have said, “look what I have done!”  Rather, this man with a heart after God, followed in the steps of humility, attributing this victory to the Lord.

Unfortunately, we live in a me-first world.  Today’s professional athletes care more about making ESPN‘s Top 10 Plays on Sports Center than their team.  Instead of ascribing to the Lord, they are trying to steal the spotlight by celebrating, to get noticed or build their portfolio for their next contract.  This country and world needs more people Tim Tebow’s and Brain Dawkins, who pause during their victories in life by ascribing to the Lord.

by Jay Mankus

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