Monthly Archives: August 2022

S.A.N.S. Episode 196: Note to Self

Posted on August 16, 2022 by expressyourself4him

Today’s artist comes from a man with a profound mission to make music that gives an immediate emotional impact. Following a jet ski accident as a child which left him deaf in one ear, Stephen Stanley uncovered a remarkable gift for music and melody. Just as the apostle Paul dealt with a messenger from Satan in 2 Corinthians 12:7, this trial propelled Steven to become a Christian musician.

Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy-laden and overburdened, and I will cause you to rest. [I will [o]ease and relieve and [p]refresh [q]your souls.] 29 Take My yoke upon you and learn of Me, for I am gentle (meek) and humble (lowly) in heart, and you will find rest ([r]relief and ease and refreshment and [s]recreation and blessed quiet) for your souls, Matthew 11:28-29.

Note to Self is one of those comments adults make while “thinking out loud.” As you go back in time, you can see where you wavered and what you should do differently in the future. Subsequently, the lyrics of Note to Self are like words of wisdom to prevent repeating the same mistakes of your past. As you listen to Stephen’s song, may his testimony give you hope to move mountains in your own life.

by Jay Mankus

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Resonate

Posted on August 16, 2022 by expressyourself4him

The textbook definition of resonate is to produce or be filled with a deep, full, reverberating sound. This may be in the form of a blare, chime or ding that reverberates like a local church bell that you may have in your community. Growing up in a friendly Delaware neighborhood, Mrs. Kerth rang her cowbell every summer night to let us know it was time for dinner. Even when we were playing hide and go seek in nearby woods, the sound of this bell would resonate to get our attention.

My son, attend to my words; consent and submit to my sayings. 21 Let them not depart from your sight; keep them in the center of your heart, Proverbs 4:20-21.

King Solomon wrote the Book of Proverbs to help his children grow up to pursue God’s wisdom. One specific passage resonates with “wisdom from God’s mouth to gain knowledge and understanding.” Solomon relays the connection between your heart and the wellspring to life in today’s passage. After writing about health and healing, Solomon’s command is to guard your heart.

For they are life to those who find them, healing and health to all their flesh. 23 Keep and guard your heart with all vigilance and above all that you guard, for out of it flow the springs of life, Proverbs 4:22-23.

Jesus speaks of this fact in Luke 6:45 as the mouth speaks out of the overflow of your heart. If loose lips sink ships, a heart dwelling on the wrong things will begin to spew venom. Subsequently, as a new generation grows up without any regards to curse words that flow out of potty mouths, four letter words are resonating. May the words of Jesus and Solomon strike a cord with your soul so that wholesome language returns to America.

by Jay Mankus

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S.A.N.S. Episode 195: Nothing Comes Close

Posted on August 15, 2022 by expressyourself4him

Christine D’Clario is a worship leader who ministers to a church with a large Spanish speaking audience. This singer and songwriter from Yonkers, New York first received notoriety in 2005 following the release of her debut album. I discovered Christine’s music recently after a search on You Tube, who started her own You Tube Channel back in 2006.

If I [can] speak in the tongues of men and [even] of angels, but have not love (that reasoning, intentional, spiritual devotion such [a]as is inspired by God’s love for and in us), I am only a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal. 2 And if I have prophetic powers ([b]the gift of interpreting the divine will and purpose), and understand all the secret truths and mysteries and possess all knowledge, and if I have [sufficient] faith so that I can remove mountains, but have not love (God’s love in me) I am nothing (a useless nobody), 1 Corinthians 13:1-2.

The lyrics of Nothing Comes Close reminds me of this passage above. The apostle Paul wrote to the Church at Corinth who were so focused on spiritual gifts that the love of Jesus was overlooked. Therefore, you may be blessed, gifted and talented, but without living out God’s love daily these special qualities are wasted. As you listen to today’s song, remember that nothing comes close to God’s love.

by Jay Mankus

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Responding to the Open Doors in Life

Posted on August 15, 2022 by expressyourself4him

Human nature is on full display in Genesis 3. Back in the Garden of Eden, Genesis 2:15-17, God only gave Adam and Eve one rule. The rest of the garden was free to explore. The story of mankind’s fall from grace was passed down orally until Moses wrote the first five books of the Bible. According to Genesis 3, no timetable is provided on the length of the serpent’s temptation. Sometimes open doors are snare traps set by the Devil. Responding to these open doors require caution, maturity and wisdom.

When angry, do not sin; do not ever let your wrath (your exasperation, your fury or indignation) last until the sun goes down. 27 Leave no [such] room or foothold for the devil [give no opportunity to him]. 28 Let the thief steal no more, but rather let him be industrious, making an honest living with his own hands, so that he may be able to give to those in need, Ephesians 4:26-28.

One chapter after the warning in the passage above, the apostle Paul introduces the concept of keeping in step with the Holy Spirit, Ephesians 5:25. Galatians 5:16-18 details this internal tug of war which Adam and Eve both lost. When a child is told not to do something by their parents, this boundary or restriction elicits a sense of curiosity. Subsequently, the Tree of Knowledge was accessible by exercising free will. Today, there are countless temptations, opens doors that end up trapping the curious into addictions.

Those whom I [dearly and tenderly] love, I tell their faults and convict and convince and reprove and chasten [I discipline and instruct them]. So be enthusiastic and in earnest and burning with zeal and repent [changing your mind and attitude]. 20 Behold, I stand at the door and knock; if anyone hears and listens to and heeds My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and will eat with him, and he [will eat] with Me, Revelation 3:19-20.

One of the most beneficial visions in the Bible is a door which only has one handle. God’s side of this door doesn’t have a handle. John’s vision is symbolic of free will. God will try to get your attention daily by knocking or via a still small voice, 1 Kings 19:12. The door handle is on your side so the only way to access open doors is by exercising freewill. Faith comes into play when you try to open these doors, but some may be locked for a season. May today’s song help you learn how to respond to open doors in life.

by Jay Mankus

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S.A.N.S. Episode 194: One Hell of an Amen

Posted on August 14, 2022 by expressyourself4him

Now that I am a full-time resident of South Carolina, I am surrounded by country music. Earlier this spring I was searching for a song that complimented one of my daily devotionals. After clicking on a few You Tubes, I stumbled upon Brantley Gilbert’s song One Hell of an Amen. The lyrics tell stories of a soldier who died for his country and another adult battling cancer.

Fight the good fight of the faith; lay hold of the eternal life to which you were summoned and [for which] you confessed the good confession [of faith] before many witnesses, 1 Timothy 6:12.

One Hell of an Amen alludes to the words of the apostle Paul in the passage above. Paul is urging a teenage pastor to keep fighting for Jesus by living out your faith. Meanwhile, One Hell of an Amen encourages listeners to live each day like it’s your last before the Lord calls you home to heaven. Since Amen means “so be it,” fight the good fight of faith.

by Jay Mankus

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Placing Your Trust in the Divine

Posted on August 14, 2022 by expressyourself4him

Following my first observation as a teacher, I was told that I didn’t have enough posters in my room. I thought this was a strange critic, but I took this to heart. While on vacation in Williamsburg, Virginia, I visited one of the numerous outlets at this tourist destination. I don’t remember how many Bible posters I bought that day, but one of those was Proverbs 3:5-6.

Put not your trust in princes, in a son of man, in whom there is no help, Psalm 146:3.

When I attended a youth ministry trade school, this verse was one of 26 that I memorized over the course of 7 weeks. The final week of my training was spent at a Wilderness Camp with 24 hours spent in silence. The purpose of this time was to reflect on my past, enjoy the moment and dream about the future. What I learned was to place my trust in the divine.

Lean on, trust in, and be confident in the Lord with all your heart and mind and do not rely on your own insight or understanding. 6 In all your ways know, recognize, and acknowledge Him, and He will direct and make straight and plain your paths, Proverbs 3:5-6.

Unfortunately, human nature has a way of convincing individuals to trust in yourself. Perhaps this is the reason why King Solomon shares the message above to one of his sons. Despite his vast wealth and wisdom, Solomon realized that it was the Lord who was the source behind his blessed life. I pray that this blog will convince someone today to place their sole trust in Jesus.

by Jay Mankus

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S.A.N.S. Episode 193: I Speak Jesus

Posted on August 13, 2022 by expressyourself4him

Today’s artist grew up in Buffalo, New York and was raised in a Christian home. This upbringing propelled Charity Gayle to start her own music ministry in Nashville, Tennessee. Charity got her feet wet as a worship leader in church which has opened the door to emerge as a female Christian artist. Today’s featured song I Speak Jesus is a prayer to call upon God’s higher power to change and transform your life.

And He charged us to preach to the people and to bear solemn testimony that He is the God-appointed and God-ordained Judge of the living and the dead, Acts 10:42.

Acts 2 introduces what Luke refers to as the apostles teaching. This involves acting upon the Great Commission shared with Jesus’ disciples prior to his ascension into heaven, Acts 1:8. Essentially, this biblical teaching makes speaking Jesus a top priority. As you listen to Charity Gayle’s song I Speak Jesus, may you be inspired to emulate the teaching of the apostles.

by Jay Mankus

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When a Shooting Star Falls to Earth

Posted on August 13, 2022 by expressyourself4him

As a teenager, watching for shooting stars was something that you incorporated into a date. Like Inspiration Point on the hit show Happy Days, actual seeing a shooting star illicits an immediate bond between couples. However, the Bible speaks of a shooting star that doesn’t fully burn up. This particular star called Wormwood falls to earth and causes issues with the water supplies worldwide.

The third angel blew [his] trumpet, and a huge star fell from heaven, burning like a torch, and it dropped on a third of the rivers and on the springs of water—Revelation 8:10

Wormwood is a byproduct of the 7 tribulations in the book of Revelation. Based upon John’s vision, the remains of this fallen star polluted 1/3 of the earth’s water supply. In a metaphorical sense based upon Jeremiah 9:15 and Lamentations 3:15, Wormword refers to bitter calamity and sorrow brought upon the earth. John points out that many people died from drinking and or using this contaminated water.

And the name of the star is Wormwood. A third part of the waters was changed into wormwood, and many people died from using the water, because it had become bitter, Revelation 8:11.

This event in the Bible reminds me of words written by Jesus’ earthly brother James. Writing to Christians scattered throughout the world following Nero’s persecution, there is a warning for anyone who is consumed about planning for the future, James 4:13-14. Life is too short to get stressed out about what tomorrow will bring. Therefore, live for today before the events of tomorrow changes your world forever.

by Jay Mankus

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S.A.N.S. Episode 192: In Jesus Name (God of Possible)

Posted on August 12, 2022 by expressyourself4him

Before I start today’s blog, I want to wish Katy Nicole a happy 22nd birthday. During a recent search for young and talented Christian musicians, Katy’s name popped up first. After looking up her bio, the internet revealed that today is her birthday, July 29th. While Katy’s Central Illinois upbringing points to humble beginnings, the lyrics of In Jesus Name suggests a Christian who walks what she sings about.

And Peter answered them, Repent (change your views and purpose to accept the will of God in your inner selves instead of rejecting it) and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of and release from your sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit, Acts 2:38.

First century apostle used the expression “in Jesus name” during prayers and as part of the baptism of new believers. Meanwhile, the lyrics of Katy’s song point to the God of possibilities. Perhaps quoting Luke 1:37 and Matthew 19:26, Katy mixes faith with pray to move any mountain standing in your way. May In Jesus Name inspire you to have faith and not doubt while you pray.

by Jay Mankus

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My Own Personal Story of the Living Years

Posted on August 12, 2022 by expressyourself4him

Mike Rutherford started Mike and the Mechanics as a side project while a member of the group Genesis. This decision opened the door for Mike to leave the spotlight of lead singer Phil Collins to begin his own music legacy. While Mike and the Mechanics released several popular songs, the Living Years was by far their most meaningful hit. I was reminded of this song when my mother-in-law passed away last week.

 For God so greatly loved and dearly prized the world that He [even] gave up His only begotten ([d]unique) Son, so that whoever believes in (trusts in, clings to, relies on) Him shall not perish (come to destruction, be lost) but have eternal (everlasting) life. 17 For God did not send the Son into the world in order to judge (to reject, to condemn, to pass sentence on) the world, but that the world might find salvation and be made safe and sound through Him, John 3:16-17.

In the middle of the Coronavirus Pandemic, my wife and her sister decided to remove Barb from a nursing home in Chicago so that she could stay the remainder of her living years at Laura’s home in South Carolina. This wasn’t an easy decision but was made so that Barb could live as close to a normal life as possible for someone in her weakened condition. While living in Delaware, Leanne made as many trips to Aiken as possible until our families move in June of 2022.

I have been crucified with Christ [in Him I have shared His crucifixion]; it is no longer I who live, but Christ (the Messiah) lives in me; and the life I now live in the body I live by faith in (by adherence to and reliance on and complete trust in) the Son of God, Who loved me and gave Himself up for me, Galatians 2:20.

Barb fought hard, living 22 months in South Carolina, allowing my wife to be there for the final two months. Saying goodbye is never easy, especially when a loved one can’t communicate with you. Yet, Leanne was there for the final 48 hours until Barb went home to be with the Lord on August 4th, 2022. As the Wagner family prepares to say goodbye at the funeral in Chicago, I will always remember the Living Years when Barb was at her best playing with her grandchildren or improving her home. R.I.P.

by Jay Mankus

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