Tag Archives: Top Gun

God is not Slow…You are Just Holding Him Up

Posted on December 13, 2019 by expressyourself4him

I am one of those individuals who is always in a hurry, eager to find the most efficient and quickest route to where I need to go. I don’t do slow well, especially when I’m stuck in rush hour traffic. Rather, I follow the motto from Top Gun, “I feel the need; the need for speed!” While I don’t promote reckless driving, I hate wasting time, especially when it comes to making the most of each day.

And you shall eat it thus: [as fully prepared for a journey] your loins girded, your shoes on your feet, and your staff in your hand; and you shall eat it in haste. It is the Lord’s Passover. 12 For I will pass through the land of Egypt this night and will smite all the firstborn in the land of Egypt, both man and beast; and against all the gods of Egypt I will execute judgment [proving their helplessness]. I am the Lord., Exodus 12:11-12.

When God revealed his plan for Israel’s exodus out of Egypt to Moses, the Lord uses the term haste. Haste refers to excessive speed, urgency of movement or action. Basically, God is telling Israel to hurry up, “it’s time to go into the land that I promised you.” Although Israel did flee Egypt, this sense of urgency didn’t last long. A trip that should have taken 35 days, just over one month, ended up lasting for forty years.

Therefore then, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses [who have borne testimony to the Truth], let us strip off and throw aside every encumbrance (unnecessary weight) and that sin which so readily (deftly and cleverly) clings to and entangles us, and let us run with patient endurance and steady and active persistence the appointed course of the race that is set before us, Hebrews 12:1.

Immediately following the chapter known as the Hall of Faith, Hebrews 11, the author warns individuals about getting tripped up. While God desires to pour out blessings upon your life each month, backsliding, detours and getting lost often results in years without producing spiritual fruit. Before you can reach your full speed and potential in life, you have to get untangled from any web of sin currently slowing you down. As you break free, may you begin to see that God is not slow, you’re just holding Him up.

by Jay Mankus

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Lost?

Posted on June 17, 2016 by expressyourself4him

The hit series Lost ran for 6 seasons on ABC beginning in 2004.  When a plane crashes off a mystical island in the South Pacific, passengers hoping to arrive in Los Angeles are forced to struggle to survive.  While many are eager to find a way off this island, others are grateful to have a new leash on life.  Whenever anyone reaches a cross roads in life, you might wonder, “am I lost or merely in uncharted territories?”

“Or suppose a woman has ten silver coins and loses one. Doesn’t she light a lamp, sweep the house and search carefully until she finds it?” – Luke 15:8

Though most people think getting lost is for those directionally challenged, there are two other possibilities.  In the film Top Gun, after Goose dies, Maverick played by Tom Cruise becomes mentally lost, unable to concentrate while trying to fly his fighter jet.  Meanwhile, if anyone has ever endured a painful childhood, you might suffer from soul spirit hurts like Matt Damon in Good Will Hunting, trying the understand why he was abused.

Then the devil left him, and angels came and attended him, Matthew 4:11.

Whether you are physically, mentally or spiritually lost, its essential to receive the support that you need.  After overcoming the Devil’s temptations, angels came to Jesus’ aid.  During a counseling session, Robin Williams playing the role of a psychologist lets Will know, “it’s not your fault.”  Finally, when everyone gave up on Maverick, his Flight Commander Viper provided the boost he needed to tarry on.  In the same way, all believers should extend a helping hand to anyone who looks or seems lost.

by Jay Mankus

 

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Lights of Order

Posted on November 19, 2015 by expressyourself4him

Tom Cruise in Top Gun had a need for speed.  Sammy Hagar sings about not being able to follow the speed limit in “I can’t drive 55.”  You don’t have to be rich or famous to struggle to obey traffic laws.  While not every violator is caught, you may experience flashing sirens in your rear view mirror, yet I call them lights of order.

But all things should be done decently and in order, 1 Corinthians 14:40.

In the last several years, police have been tainted by a few bad cops.  Members of the liberal media have used this reputation to incite class warfare, igniting riots within St. Louis following the death of Michael Brown.  Although not every officer is a model citizen, tension exists within inner cities causing many to believe cops are the problem not the solution.

For God is not a God of confusion but of peace, 1 Corinthians 14:33a.

Despite this perception, its time to view law enforcement as ambassadors for order.  One of the major obstacles to this goal is the decline of morality.  As absolutes vanish, a mentality has conceived, leading people to do what’s right in their own minds.  Subsequently, America is reliving the mistakes of Israel, forgoing truth to justify actions.  Thus, the next time power goes out and lawlessness ensues, citizens will be reminded that while not perfect, police officers are lights of order.

by Jay Mankus

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Losing Your Edge

Posted on June 18, 2015 by expressyourself4him

Staying on top, being the best at any job, skill or trade isn’t easy.  If you are fortunate to reach the summit of a profession, there is always someone new, stronger or younger ready to take your position.  In the film Top Gun, Cougar was the number one fighter pilot in his squadron before a mid-air altercation with a bogey caused him to lose his edge.  Thus, Maverick played by Tom Cruise and Goose, Anthony Edwards, were waiting in the wings to take over.

“Are you so dull?” he asked. “Don’t you see that nothing that enters a person from the outside can defile them?” – Mark 7:18

In  the first century, the twelve disciples were the Cougar among spiritual leaders.  Although Luke 10:1 refers to 72 others, a minor league for training to become elite disciples, these twelve men were chosen to be part of Jesus’ flight school.  Nonetheless, their exposure to Jesus’ miracles, teaching and wisdom caused their hearts to become numb.  Thus, Jesus goes off on their flawed thinking, trying to reprogram their minds set on human traditions.  When Judas Iscariot lost his edge, committing suicide following his betrayal of Jesus, Matthias was selected to take his place in Acts 1:26.

For it is from within, out of a person’s heart, that evil thoughts come—sexual immorality, theft, murder, adultery, greed, malice, deceit, lewdness, envy, slander, arrogance and folly. All these evils come from inside and defile a person.” – Mark 7:21-23.

Today, America’s churches is searching for a new Top Gun, to soar above the sinful nature lurking to attack hearts.  This internal battle has caused many great rising stars to crash and burn before reaching their full potential, 1 Corinthians 10:1-6.  In the skies, there are spiritual bogeys, demons, evil spirits and powers of darkness hoping to shoot you down.  Despite these adversaries, Jesus has equipped his crew with spiritual weapons, 2 Corinthians 10:3-5.  May the leaders of the future be armed, 1 Peter 4:1, with the right stuff to maintain their edge fueled by strength in Christ,  Philippians 4:13.

by Jay Mankus

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Living in the Fastlane as Friendships Passby

Posted on November 12, 2014 by expressyourself4him

Whether I like it or not, I fall into the same category as Maverick and Goose in Top Gun, ” I feel the need, the need for speed!”  Lately, I’ve been the car in the left hand lane that is going too fast, missing my exit.  As a result, my busyness has caused me to lose touch of several friendships, in a hurry to get to no where

Although Ke$ha once sang about your love is my drug, I believe living life in the fast lane possesses dangerous side effects.  Adrenaline breeds anxiety, impatience and a self-centered heart .  As discernment flies by like a blur, this lifestyle can leave you alone, distant and void of meaningful relationships.

Trying to survive on an empty tank, I pulled over to the curb this weekend.  Like a car needing to see a mechanic, my soul is longing for a spiritual diagnostic check up.  Slowing down is the first step to recovery.  Yet, change takes time, especially for anyone who has allowed their life to get out of control.  Just a David went to the Cave at Adullam for healing, 1 Samuel 22:1-5, retreating with friends can mend fences and revitalize lonely and hurting souls.

by Jay Mankus

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