Tag Archives: technology

Taking Your Phone for a Walk…

Huh?  What a preposterous concept.  That’s what I thought until I spent 2 hours on Main Street in Newark observing people.  Call it a psychology experiment or an unusual way to pass time on a boring summer day, yet technology has altered the way individuals communicate.

Instead of bringing a plastic bag along with you to pick poop, dogs are being replaced with iphones and smartphones.  Seeking immediate feedback, emails, texts and tweets are trending in the right direction, at least that’s what the masses think.  Listening to downloaded music on their stylish new buds, many are so consumed by the devise attached to their hands and or ears that they oblivious to the world around them.

Since language barriers were first established in Babel, Genesis 11:5-8, there have always been periods of division, misunderstandings and silence.  However, the evolution of cell phones has perverted social ethics.  Disinterest, disrespect and ignorance is on the rise, reaching epidemic proportions.  Thus, as blinded citizens continue to take their phones for a walk, its time for bystanders to help their neighbors break out of this spell, Galatians 3:1, until its too late.

What do you think about today’s cell phone manners?

by Jay Mankus

Before I Sink Any Further

One of my favorite shows on the Discovery Channel was called Swamp Loggers.  From June 2009-December 2012, Bobby Goodson was the star of a family run business, illustrating how technology could be used to log once unreachable forests.  Through success and failure, this program was as close to real life as a reality show has come.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J5CWGi82N7k

However, in real life, there aren’t any machines who can save us from sinking.  King David often used the analogy of a swamp, which bogs human beings down, sucking each in like a suction cup, Psalm 69:14-15.  Whenever you get stuck, there is only One who can save you, Acts 4:12.  This life guard can walk on water, silence storms and stretch out His hand to lift you up.

Before you sink any further, take David’s advice in Psalm 30:1-3.  Sure, you might be able to get yourself out of a few jams from time to time, but the open arms of the Great I Am is waiting.  Come to your senses now, Luke 15:17, swallow your pride and ask God to relieve you from distress, Psalm 4:1.  Before I sink any further, I surrender all, all to you O Lord.

I encourage everyone to share a time you’ve been saved from the muck and mire in life.

by Jay Mankus

Spirit Led; Not Technology Driven

If any of you are a parent or grand parent, perhaps you shake your head as I do watching teens stare at their game systems and cell phones instead of engage in an actual conversation.  Beside sending your kids outside to play, I’m afraid this generation is being led by the spirit of technology.  Sure, the technology misfits like me need their oldest to get most gadgets around the house to work, but isn’t there something parents can do to develop healthy communication skills?

Before ascending to heaven, Acts 1:9-11, Jesus promised to send a counselor to guide people through life.  While Pentecostals often make the mistake of limiting the Spirit of God to spiritual gifts mentioned in 1 Corinthians 12 and 14, the apostles provide clues to become driven by the Holy Spirit.  Philip kept his head up after hearing the Holy Spirit’s still small voice in Acts 8:29, eventually leading an Egyptian to faith in Christ.  Meanwhile, Paul sensed in his heart to avoid visiting Asia on a missionary journey as God’s Spirit kept him from entering their cities, Acts 16:7.

One of the greatest clues left behind is found in Galatians 5.  Inside each human being, there is a war between good and evil as the acts of the sinful nature, Galatians 5:19-21 battle fruits of the Holy Spirit, Galatians 5:22-23.  As modern technology drives souls to feed their fleshly desires, an invisible forces seeks to intervene, urging individuals to stay on the course of faith.  The key to overcoming today’s technology driven culture is found in Galatians 5:25.  By tuning into God, with eyes and ears alert and open, the apostle Paul suggests you can keep in step with the Holy Spirit.  Therefore, if you emulate this spiritual practice, you will provide a blue print for loved ones to become Spirit led, not technology driven.

by Jay Mankus

What Are You Really Selling?

Last week, I was meandering through aisles when an item got my attention.  As I took a second look, I was confused by the picture, which had nothing to do with the product itself.  Like eye candle trying to draw the attention of others or a modern day apple hanging from the Tree of Knowledge, I paused for a moment thinking, “what are you really selling?”

If you are curious, the product was a new razor, trying to impress consumers with the latest in technology I assume.  However, what appeared on the exterior packaging was a beautiful woman in a skimpy bikini.  Since I am well behind in pop culture, this model is probably some former Cover Girl, but I am perplexed why a famous brand name would lower its marketing standards to sell more razors.

Despite what I believe, I guess I shouldn’t be surprised that sex continues to sell products.  Honest ads have been replaced by embellishment, hoping the allure of their commercial might lead to impulse buying.  When I find a product or razor that actually meets and surpasses what it promises, I will let you know.  Until then, be careful not to fall prey to empty sales pitches.  Rather, hold fast to integrity as you accept the good and the bad things in life, Job 2:7-10.

by Jay Mankus

Where Do We Go Now?

 

In recent years, great advancements have been made in business, medicine and technology.  Self help books, the internet and you tube videos have helped make life a little easier than in previous centuries.  However, these new resources have also crippled the human mind, replacing hard work, research and time with a click of a mouse.  The art of problem solving, trouble shooting and preventative maintenance have been replaced by computer and phone apps, calling on others to do what families once did on their own.

So where do we go from here?  Should culture continue on its current hi-tech / hi-touch path or will common sense take over, clearing hidden paths, left and forgotten by overgrown brush?  If this decision is put off, another crossroad will intersect at some point down the road, offering another choice for change.  In the movie the Patriot starring Mel Gibson, there is a touching scene between father and daughter.  Not wanting to see her father to die like an older brother, Susan begs him to stay.  Unfortunately, there are times one must face battles, giants or wars before you can resume a normal life.

If your life is anything like mine, I often find myself living the movie Castaway, standing at a 4 way stop, not sure where to make the next turn.  Each choice that is made, Deuteronomy 30:15-16, either moves you closer or farther from where you really want to go.  For a while, each will provide flashes of brilliance and possibly pleasure, yet in the end only one road leads to satisfaction, Psalm 34:4-8.  May we find each other there one day.

by Jay Mankus

One On One

 

According to a 2012 article at The Week Magazine, Friedhelm Hillebrand is credited with the initial concept of texting.  In 1984 Hillebrand recognized most of the information he wanted to convey could be condensed to 160 characters, serving as the limit for early text messages.  Eight years later, Neil Papworth sent a good friend the first SMS message to express “Merry Christmas.”  Since this pioneer revolutionized the way people communicate 21 years ago, society has never been the same.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=lkpWk8FJsys

Today, young people prefer to use their fingers than pick up the phone.  In fact, to avoid confrontation, adults now use Facebook, texting or Twitter to replace face to face encounters.  Though texting is a convenient and efficient means of communication, it should be no way replace one on one conversations.  God designed human beings to be relational creatures, interacting with one another.  However, I am afraid that future technology will continue to disconnect individuals from forming permanent meaningful lasting relationships.

Like most Monday mornings, I drove to Star Bucks to meet a close friend and former colleague.  While not every conversation is life altering, there is something special about sharing your burdens, good news and relating past events to current situations.  Pouring out my soul and spilling my guts has established a tight bond of fellowship, rare in the fast paced life style on the East Coast.  If you ever feel like you’re missing something, void of a missing ingredient, its probably because you don’t have enough one on one conversations.  Reach out today to a friend from the past or present, making room on your calender, to connect with another soul one on one.

by Jay Mankus

Shredding the Envelope

The expression “to push the envelope” became a common phrase in English speaking circles following the publication of Tom Wolfe’s book The Right Stuff in 1979.  The context of this term is derived from taking space travel to the next level with technology, pushing the outside of the envelope to reach new heights never experienced before.  Today, innovations take performance beyond previously accepted boundaries through apps, electronic devices and household luxuries.

Unfortunately, these societal advances have created a few negative side affects.  Self indulgence, instant gratification and materialism has placed God on the back burner in life.  Like the days of Babel, Genesis 11:3-4, commercialism is attempting to bring heaven to earth through a mere click of your mouse.  Thus, by leaping ahead, this once pure envelope has experienced a gradual decline, shredding the values of America.

I am not sure where or when this initial tear began, but I don’t think there are enough pieces remaining to restore a nation founded on biblical principles.  Adult bookstores, drugs or immorality are no longer an isolated occurrence.  With roughly one quarter of the internet URL’s pornographic in nature, the world is more than ever surrounded by evil.  Everyone wants to get better as a person, yet are people willing to compromise what they believe?  May God have mercy on this nation, turn wicked hearts toward prayer and mend those who have been shredded by the gravitational pull of sin.

by Jay Mankus

The Eraser

On the surface, a small piece of rubber, either red or white in appearance, seems rather inconspicuous.  Like tiny bread crumbs, these particles are designed to void any mistake made by a lead pencil.  While somewhat flawed, if used properly, the eraser can make imperfections disappear.

As technology continues to improve, the eraser is on the verge of becoming an endangered species.  Since the invention of personal computers led to the extinction of type writers, white out threatens to replace erasers.  With the goal of paperless schools on the horizon, environmentalist seek to save trees, not concerned if or when erasers will be phased out.

From a spiritual sense, there is only One true Eraser.  This eraser is as white as snow, spotless and pure, without any blemishes.  Unlike the typical eraser that darkens with use, this Eraser remains shiny and new year round.  Therefore, if you’re tired of messing up, making mistakes and ruining the body of your paper, keep your head up.  As far as the East is from the West, this is how far God is willing to go to erase the sins from your life, Psalm 103:11-12.

by Jay Mankus