Tag Archives: talk radio

That Which You Gaze Upon… You Will Become

While listening to talk radio today, I was struck by a caller to the Glenn Beck Show.  Beating around the bush, this man ctonfessed to an addiction to pornography.  During this struggle, one thought kept reverberating, “that which you gaze upon, you will become.”

One of Jesus’ 12 disciples recognized a similar pattern near the end of the first century, 1 John 2:15-17.  Inside of each human being, a hunger exists, searching for objects of desire.  Lusts, longings and pride can shift your focus from where it should be to behind the devil’s door, Ephesians 4:26-27.  In other words, be careful what you wish for.

One of Jesus’ best words of wisdom in his Sermon on the Mount can be found in Matthew 6:19-24.  The Lord knew before creation that which individuals gaze upon, they will become.  The cure to prevent addictions is to begin to store up treasures on earth.  The apostle Paul added to this in Colossians 3:1-4, urging readers to meditate on the Lord day and night.  If bad habits have you staring in the wrong direction, fix your eyes on the author and perfecter of life, Hebrews 12:1-3.

by Jay Mankus

Judge, Jury and Executioner

If you follow Twitter, listen to Talk Radio or watch Cable News, then you have a slight inclination on what’s wrong with this country and the world as a whole.  Countless individuals have forgotten the words of Jesus in John 8:6-9, “let him who is without sin throw the first stone.”  Blinded by hypocrisy, ignorance or simply oblivious to their spiritual condition, many are acting as judge, jury and executioner, piling on with stone after stone.

In view of TMZ’s release on their website earlier in the week of Ray Rice striking his soon to be wife in an elevator, the media has stirred the masses into a tizzy.  With one person down, Ray Rice, kicked to the curb on Monday after being release by the Baltimore Ravens, the next victim is Roger Goodell, commissioner of the NFL.  People are lining up in droves to take their shots, putting pressure on Goodell to resign.  As radio and television analysts comment on the hot topic of this week, abused women, there’s an eerie silence for the unborn child, killed every day because the law says its okay.

The only person in the media who has made any sense this week is Steve Smith, veteran wide receiver of the Ravens, formerly a member of the Carolina Panthers.  Steve reminded the press that God is the only true judge.  Although citizens like to pretend to be the judge and part of the jury, God will hold everyone accountable based upon what they have done on earth, Matthew 12:36-37.  Before another human being in thrown under the bus this week, refrain yourself the next time you have an urge to trash someone.  For if you do, you will likely reap what you sow and one day you will be at the mercy of the judge, jury and executioner.

by Jay Mankus

 

Voice of America

In 1981, the progressive rock band Asia came onto the music scene.  Four years and 2 albums later, Asia produced Astra in 1985, releasing the hit song Voice of America.  Known as the official external broadcast of the United States Federal Government, Voice of America is the radio name established back in the early 1940’s.  Based on a 1976 law, this radio program was initially intended to be accurate, objective and comprehensive.  However, like anything in life, time, politics and power have corrupted this once highly esteemed program.

If you read the major newspapers of New York, Chicago and Los Angeles and or watch the major cable news networks you will find 2 common occurrences.  First, the introduction of talking points has caused collusion, with the most politically correct or incorrect stories receiving the most hype, often over blown.  Meanwhile, the human interest or positive stories like guns actually saving someone’s life are swept under the rug, withheld from Americans.  Thus, sites like the Drudge Report, the Blaze or other unbiased online sites provide the whole context of these stories, not just the clips or snippets the media wants you to hear.

Unfortunately, the Voice of America is close to becoming the new moral authority in the nation, replacing the Bible.  Instead of following passages like Ephesians 5:3-5, the government is producing their own politically correct guidelines which appear to override the Bible.  If the Riley Cooper racial slur is any indication, the Voice of America has forgotten about God’s grace, mercy and forgiveness.  Don’t get me wrong, words are powerful, containing venomous poison like a snake bite, James 3:6.  Comments like Riley Cooper’s, any angry parent or someone filled with hatred may take years for a wounded soul to heal.  Yet, the one thing missing from the Voice of America is God.  If “in God we trust” is on our money, why can’t we invite the Lord back onto our public airways.  Welcoming God back into public education might even eliminate the need for medal detectors, drug sniffing dogs and suicide counselors.  Mr. Radio man, if you can hear me, let God back in, Revelation 3:20.

by Jay Mankus

It’s Evil, Not Insanity

Since the terrorist attacks on marathon runners and spectators on April 15th in Boston, media outlets are trying to come to grips with this unfathomable act against humanity.  In my car, talk radio is a buzz, verbalizing opinion after opinion.  Water cooler chats about local sports have been replaced by a more serious topic.  Meanwhile, cable news networks are scanning every nook and cranny of this unfortunate event, searching for credible experts to speak on this matter.

From my perspective, most commentators are missing the mark.  You can’t punish the law abiding citizens for a few people who have lost touch with reality.  Sure, Americans have to be vigilant, proactive about suspicious people in public places.  However, you can’t legislate against insanity and if you do, lawyers will just find another way to excuse their client from taking responsibility.  The world’s problem is not insane terrorists, its evil within the hearts and minds of individuals.

While many things in Hollywood films are fake, the presence of evil in society is a Clear and Present Danger.  Stephen King’s 1994 mini-series entitled The Stand illustrates how evil can change the attitude, behavior and life style of average citizens.  Meanwhile, Andrew Neiderman’s film The Devil’s Advocate uses a combination of embellishment and reality to portray spiritual forces of evil.  Although many have been duped by lies, countless Americans refuse to accept the truth about evil in this world.

The apostle Paul refers to Satan as the ruler of the air in Ephesians 2:2.  One of Jesus’ disciples refers to the devil as a roaring lion, seeking to pounce on and devour unprepared bystanders, 1 Peter 5:8.  Jesus claimed the devil could enter your thoughts, Matthew 16:23 and hearts like Judas Iscariot as detailed in the 4 gospel accounts.  If 3 godly men, pillars of the church testified to this fact, why can’t modern Americans accept evil as the cause of terrorism?  May the words of Romans 10:17 open minds to embrace the shocking reality, “its evil, not insanity!”

by Jay Mankus