Author Archives: expressyourself4him

The Crossover Connection Week 15: What Could Have Been the Christian Version of the Cars

Posted on May 13, 2023 by expressyourself4him

Just before I graduated from the University of Delaware, I was plugged into the Christian music industry. During this five-year period, I even subscribed to CCM Magazine to stay informed about potential breakout artists. Based upon outspoken musicians like Wes King, many bands were being given bad advice like the group Plankeye. Whether this was their agents, producers or record companies, some lead singers were led astray and did not stay true to who they were and wanted to become. Or song writers fly under the radar, created the most amazing album nobody ever heard of and when forced to write a new one quickly without any inspiration from the Holy Spirit, their second project miserably failed, dropping out of sight and fading from our memories.

Do not judge and criticize and condemn others, so that you may not be judged and criticized and condemned yourselves. 2 For just as you judge and criticize and condemn others, you will be judged and criticized and condemned, and in accordance with the measure you [use to] deal out to others, it will be dealt out again to you. 3 Why do you [a]stare from without at the [b]very small particle that is in your brother’s eye but do not become aware of and consider the beam [c]of timber that is in your own eye? 4 Or how can you say to your brother, Let me get the tiny particle out of your eye, when there is the beam [d]of timber in your own eye? 5 You hypocrite, first get the beam of timber out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take the tiny particle out of your brother’s eye, Matthew 7:1-5.

Every band which plays together for more than a decade tends to evolve with time. Yet, Plankeye wasn’t sure who they wanted to become, touching 4 genres with their first 4 projects: metal, hard rock, pop rock and pop. While Plankeye was raw as a metal band, Spill, their hard rock project Commonwealth revealed their potential. The attached album, the One and Only, possesses that Cars flair which attracted me to Plankeye. Anyone can play armchair quarterback, but if Plankeye was searching for a specific genre to meet a broad audience, the songs on the One and Only album is that crossover sound. Since I’m not privy to what went on behind closed doors, I can only speculate. Nonetheless, if you like the music of the Cars, you’ll enjoy my favorite Plankeye album.

by Jay Mankus

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Fellowshipping All Night Long

Posted on May 13, 2023 by expressyourself4him

As a former youth pastor, something about staying up all night at church with friends seems like a good idea on paper. Of course, the next day, you’ll be napping or sleeping on and off all day. Nonetheless, a church lock-in is the first event I ever attended in high school at St. Paul’s United Methodist Church. Between all the games and group activities, I was introduced to the concept fellowshipping all night long. While new friends came and left, I ended up sticking around as a volunteer throughout college.

Then they ate and drank, he and the men who were with him, and stayed there all night. And in the morning they arose, and he said. Send me away to my master, Genesis 24:54.

Moses tells a story about a dinner feast that lasted all night long as well. Perhaps, this was the first ever rehearsal dinner for a wedding. The only problem is the groom, and his family was not present, just Eliezer, the executive of Abraham’s estate. Prior to eating, Eliezer recounts his journey, prayer and divine meeting, with Rebekah. The tone set by Eliezer opens the door for family members to share accounts of Rebekah’s childhood, life and her relationships with other members of the family.

And on the first day of the week, when we were assembled together to break bread [[a]the Lord’s Supper], Paul discoursed with them, intending to leave the next morning; and he kept on with his message until midnight. 8 Now there were numerous lights in the upper room where we were assembled, 9 And there was a young man named Eutychus sitting in the window. He was borne down with deep sleep as Paul kept on talking still longer, and [finally] completely overcome by sleep, he fell down from the third story and was picked up dead. 10 But Paul went down and bent over him and embraced him, saying, Make no ado; his life is within him. 11 When Paul had gone back upstairs and had broken bread and eaten [with them], and after he had talked confidentially and communed with them for a considerable time—until daybreak [in fact]—he departed, Acts 20:7-11.

If you have ever attended a Christian conference, retreat or spiritual revival, the Holy Spirit tends to draw people close together in a short period of time. This is often expediated as individuals become vulnerable by confessing sins, opening up about something personal or sharing their testimony. During a gathering of Christians at one home, the apostle Paul speaks all night long, causing one teenager to fall asleep. While some daily conversations can be extremely boring, fellowshipping all night long about God ignites a fire in souls that binds believers together in perfect harmony.

by Jay Mankus

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Preparations for Prayer

Posted on May 12, 2023 by expressyourself4him

My first season coaching All Stars was exciting as my oldest son James also was selected for this team. While our team could hit, we only had two solid starting pitchers. As the elimination round began, players spent an hour in the batting cages, eager to keep their season alive. After batting practice ended, players began to warm up their arms. As the head coach and I talked strategy, we both overlooked one crucial element of our pregame routine: stretching. This oversight proved costly as our starting pitching pulled a hamstring warming up.

Abraham said to him, See to it that you do not take my son back there. 7 The Lord, the God of heaven, Who took me from my father’s house, from the land of my family and my birth, Who spoke to me and swore to me, saying, To your offspring I will give this land—He will send His [b]Angel before you, and you will take a wife from there for my son. 8 And if the woman should [c]not be willing to go along after you, then you will be clear from this oath; only you must not take my son back there. 9 So the servant put his hand under the thigh of Abraham his master and swore to him concerning this matter, Genesis 24:6-9.

The purpose of stretching in baseball or any kind of physical activity is to prevent injuries. As a former country runner, my high school team regularly stretched for 15 minutes and sometimes up to a half hour before running. My only major injury over my running career was spraining my ankle after falling into a hole covered by leaves. Other than this freak accident, stretching kept me free from harm for a decade. From a spiritual perspective, prayer is like stretching before a baseball game. This typically limits injuries and prepares your body for sprinting and stopping at the crack of a bat.

And he said, O Lord, God of my master Abraham, I pray You, cause me to meet with good success today, and show kindness to my master Abraham. 13 See, I stand here by the well of water, and the daughters of the men of the city are coming to draw water. 14 And let it so be that the girl to whom I say, I pray you, let down your jar that I may drink, and she replies, Drink, and I will give your camels drink also—let her be the one whom You have selected and appointed and indicated for Your servant Isaac [to be a wife to him]; and by it I shall know that You have shown kindness and faithfulness to my master. 15 Before he had finished speaking, behold, out came Rebekah, who was the daughter of Bethuel son of Milcah, who was the wife of Nahor the brother of Abraham, with her water jar on her shoulder, Genesis 24:12-15.

Depending upon your personality, a detailed planner or laid back, ready to go with the flow, prayer prepares you mentality for the beginning of each new day. If you have an important decision to make, specific prayers can serve as signs to proceed or wait for something else to come along. In the case of Eliezer, Abraham’s trusted servant, he uses prayer to enhance his chances to succeed. While this type of prayer may not fit your personality, make sure you cover yourself and family with prayer. Those who use prayer as a hedge of protection against the spiritual forces of evil in the world, Ephesians 6:10-12, will see answers to prayers like Eliezer over time. This is the proactive approach to prayer.

by Jay Mankus

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When the Spirit of Life is Released

Posted on May 11, 2023 by expressyourself4him

When my mother’s father passed away, my family was right by his side. As my sister Cindy read to my grandfather Psalm 23, his breathing began to decrease. For the first and only time in my life so far, I witnessed the Spirit of Life being released. While the world refers to this process as death, for those who have made reservations for heaven, 1 John 5:12-13, this physical body is replaced with an eternal spirit.

The days of Abraham’s life were 175 years. 8 Then Abraham’s spirit was released, and he died at a good (ample, full) old age, an old man, satisfied and satiated, and [a]was gathered to his people, Genesis 25:7-8.

According to Jesus’ earthly brother, tomorrow isn’t guaranteed, James 4:13-15. If it was up to me, I’ll stick around until my boys have grandchildren and I’ll be there to walk Lydia down the aisle at her wedding, if it’s God’s will for her to be married. Unfortunately, I don’t have the script of my life so I’ll have to take life one day at a time to see what happens next.

Jesus answered him, I assure you, most solemnly I tell you, that unless a person is born again (anew, from above), he cannot ever see (know, be acquainted with, and experience) the kingdom of God. 4 Nicodemus said to Him, How can a man be born when he is old? Can he enter his mother’s womb again and be born? 5 Jesus answered, I assure you, most solemnly I tell you, unless a man is born of water and [[a]even] the Spirit, he cannot [ever] enter the kingdom of God, John 3:3-5.

From a spiritual perspective, Jesus spoke of being born again. One Pharisee thought Jesus was joking so Nicodemus responds with sarcasm. Following this brief exchange, Nicodemus doesn’t say another word, listening to the words of John 3:16-17. John brings this up in another letter, urging first century Christian’s to make your eternal reservations in heaven before your spirit of life is released, 1 John 5:12-13.

by Jay Mankus

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Avoiding Another Hagar Scenario

Posted on May 10, 2023 by expressyourself4him

Forcing the issue usually doesn’t work out well in the end. Perhaps, this is what concerned Abraham about allowing Isaac to accompany Eliezer to find a future wife. Whenever something is not meant to be or not God’s will for your life, there’s a temptation to intervene to alter your destiny. This sense of desperation led Sarah to allow her maidservant Hagar to have a child with Abraham.

Abraham said to him, See to it that you do not take my son back there. 7 The Lord, the God of heaven, Who took me from my father’s house, from the land of my family and my birth, Who spoke to me and swore to me, saying, To your offspring I will give this land—He will send His [b]Angel before you, and you will take a wife from there for my son. 8 And if the woman should [c]not be willing to go along after you, then you will be clear from this oath; only you must not take my son back there, Genesis 24:6-8.

Whether you’re playing the role of an adult, coach, parent or teacher, anytime a child is specifically told not to do something, there’s the temptation to do the exact opposite. The apostle Paul addresses this in Romans 7:13-18. Even when God clearly lays out his expectations in Genesis 2:15-17 to Adam and Eve, the urge to cross this line comes naturally via freewill. Subsequently, Isaac is prevented from taking part in the search of his wife.

Now Sarai, Abram’s wife, had borne him no children. She had an Egyptian maid whose name was Hagar. 2 And Sarai said to Abram, See here, the Lord has restrained me from bearing [children]. I am asking you to have intercourse with my maid; it may be that I can obtain children by her. And Abram listened to and heeded what Sarai said. 3 So Sarai, Abram’s wife, took Hagar her Egyptian maid, after Abram had dwelt ten years in the land of Canaan, and gave her to her husband Abram to be his [secondary] wife. 4 And he had intercourse with Hagar, and she became pregnant; and when she saw that she was with child, she looked with contempt upon her mistress and despised her, Genesis 16:1-4.

Learning lessons from past mistakes may be painful at times, but 1 Corinthians 10:1-6 illustrates why its important to live and learn. Whenever you add desperation to human nature, minds don’t think clearly. Especially, if you’re tempted to seek an alternative solution on your own. May the passage above serve as a warning to avoid going outside of God’s will to achieve something you really want. Let go and let God lead the way.

by Jay Mankus

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Curiosity and Excitement

Posted on May 9, 2023 by expressyourself4him

When my son Daniel got engaged early this Spring, a sense of curiosity and excitement filled my heart. The curiosity was based upon where and when the wedding will take place. This was followed by the excitement of welcoming Anna into our family as well as looking forward to this special weekend in August. Unfortunately, most Christians don’t look at faith from the perspective of curiosity and excitement.

The girl related to her mother’s household what had happened. 29 Now Rebekah had a brother whose name was Laban, and Laban ran out to the man at the well, Genesis 24:28-29.

When Eliezer informed Rebekah’s family that he was searching for a spouse for his master’s son, a spirit of curiosity and excitement filled Rebekah’s house. Who is this Isaac? What does he look like? Where does he work and what does he like to do in his free time? These are just a few questions that family members ask before their relative gets married.

For when he saw the earring or nose ring, and the bracelets on his sister’s arms, and when he heard Rebekah his sister saying, The man said this to me, he went to the man and found him standing by the camels at the well. 31 He cried, Come in, you blessed of the Lord! Why do you stand outside? For I have made the house ready and have prepared a place for the camels, Genesis 24:30-31.

Rather than become curious and excitement for this upcoming weekend, what if Christians faced each day with a new mindset. Instead of going through the motions of a long work week, believers can start embracing each new day with an eager curiosity and passionate excitement. Perhaps, this is what Jesus meant to express in John 10:10. Living an abundant life that Jesus claims and promises to exist could become reality with a daily sense of curiosity and excitement.

by Jay Mankus

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The Lord in Whose Presence I Walk

Posted on May 8, 2023 by expressyourself4him

Children tend to mimic their parents. As babies begin to talk, they will pick up certain words that they hear in songs, listen to in videos or repeat expressions overheard by eavesdropping. The language and words that you speak say something about what’s going on inside your heart and mind. If you don’t agree with me, look at Luke 6:43-45 to see Jesus’ teachings on where words are conceived.

And I said to my master, But suppose the woman will not follow me. 40 And he said to me, The Lord, in Whose presence I walk [habitually], will send His [e]Angel with you and prosper your way, and you will take a wife for my son from my kindred and from my father’s house, Genesis 24:39-40.

If anyone tracked your faith over the years on a flow chart, there will be plenty of highs and lows. The master in the above passage is Abraham who learned faith the hard way. However, near the end of his life, Abraham began to follow in the footsteps of Enoch, walking and talking with God daily. As Eliezer is sent by Abraham to find Isaac a wife, he describes his master as one who walks in the presence of the Lord.

Blessed (happy, fortunate, prosperous, and enviable) is the man who walks and lives not in the counsel of the ungodly [following their advice, their plans and purposes], nor stands [submissive and inactive] in the path where sinners walk, nor sits down [to relax and rest] where the scornful [and the mockers] gather. 2 But his delight and desire are in the law of the Lord, and on His law (the precepts, the instructions, the teachings of God) he habitually meditates (ponders and studies) by day and by night. 3 And he shall be like a tree firmly planted [and tended] by the streams of water, ready to bring forth its fruit in its season; its leaf also shall not fade or wither; and everything he does shall prosper [and come to maturity], Psalm 1:1-3.

The Psalmist uses an analogy to highlight the blessings of walking in the presence of the Lord. In 1896 Reverend Charles Sheldon published In His Steps which went on to become a bestselling book. Sheldon is the first to record and verbalize the expression: What Would Jesus Do? If you want to learn how to walk in the Lord’s presence, this is the mindset you need to adopt. Meanwhile, when individuals begin to meditate upon and habitually study the Bible, you pick up direction, guidance and insights on walking in the Lord’s presence. As Jesus says at the conclusion of the Sermon on the Mount, “put my words into practice.”

by Jay Mankus

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When You Cover Your Day in Prayer

Posted on May 7, 2023 by expressyourself4him

For the first 21 years of my life, I had a tendency to repeat the same mistakes over and over again. While attending the Tentmaker’s Youth Ministry Trade School, I was taught a simple saying that has stuck with me the past 4 decades. “If you fail to plan, you plan to fail.” If you don’t cover your day in prayer, you’re either too busy or trusting in your own abilities to ward off the spiritual forces of evil that exist, Ephesians 6:12.

And the servant took ten of his master’s camels and departed, taking some of all his master’s treasures with him; thus he journeyed to Mesopotamia [between the Tigris and the Euphrates], to the city of Nahor [Abraham’s brother]. 11 And he made his camels to kneel down outside the city by a well of water at the time of the evening when women go out to draw water. 12 And he said, O Lord, God of my master Abraham, I pray You, cause me to meet with good success today, and show kindness to my master Abraham. 13 See, I stand here by the well of water, and the daughters of the men of the city are coming to draw water, Genesis 24:10-13.

Today’s featured passages reveals what can happen when you cover your day in prayer. Eliezer doesn’t trust in his own ability to impress Rebekah with his power and wealth. Rather, Eliezer meditates upon his task, finding a wife for Isaac. Sometime during this reflection, God gives Eliezer specific words to pray for and signs to confirm whether or not he is on the verge of selecting the right woman.

And let it so be that the girl to whom I say, I pray you, let down your jar that I may drink, and she replies, Drink, and I will give your camels drink also—let her be the one whom You have selected and appointed and indicated for Your servant Isaac [to be a wife to him]; and by it I shall know that You have shown kindness and faithfulness to my master. 15 Before he had finished speaking, behold, out came Rebekah, who was the daughter of Bethuel son of Milcah, who was the wife of Nahor the brother of Abraham, with her water jar on her shoulder. 16 And the girl was very beautiful and attractive, chaste and modest, and unmarried. And she went down to the well, filled her water jar, and came up, Genesis 24:14-16.

I must confess that praying is not one of my gifts or strong points. However, when I have covered my day in prayer, I have seen immediate answers to prayer as well as miracles like the healing of my sister Kathie from cancer. If I just took prayer more seriously, God would continue to open doors that I thought were previously locked. May the testimony of Eliezer inspire you to each day on earth in prayer.

by Jay Mankus

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Specific Criteria for Finding a Soul Mate

Posted on May 6, 2023 by expressyourself4him

One of my high school Bible classes contained a chapter on Finding your Future Soul Mate. Rather than take a unit test, students had to create a check list of all the qualities they want in a future spouse. One of my former students, Dallas, who took part in this class, used this to help narrow down the women he eventually married. One of my inspirations for this topic came from Genesis 24.

And Abraham said to the eldest servant of his house [Eliezer of Damascus], who ruled over all that he had, I beg of you, put your hand under my thigh; 3 And you shall swear by the Lord, the God of heaven and earth, that you will not take a wife for my son from the daughters of the Canaanites, among whom I have settled, 4 But you shall go to my country and to my relatives and take [a]a wife for my son Isaac, Genesis 24:2-4.

While modern teenagers will definitely find this portion of the Bible old fashion, Abraham makes an important decision in this chapter. Abraham does not want Isaac to focus on physical appearances and features. Therefore, Abraham refuses to let Isaac go along with Eliezer to avoid any kind of superficial connection. Abraham’s main objective is to find someone who shares common beliefs and core values with his son.

Now the Lord God said, It is not good (sufficient, satisfactory) that the man should be alone; I will make him a helper (suitable, adapted, complementary) for him, Genesis 2:18.

From a practical perspective, one of the best qualities you can find in a future spouse are strengths which compliment your own weaknesses. Perhaps, this is what Moses is alluding to in the passage above. A suitable helper compliments areas which you are deficient in. Subsequently, young people should be searching for these qualities rather than just physical features. May this blog be beneficial in helping find a future soul mate.

by Jay Mankus

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The Crossover Connection Week 14: The Kings of Punk Rock

Posted on May 6, 2023 by expressyourself4him

When I was in eighth grade, certain rock bands possessed a cult following. Tee shirts from the most recent concerts were worn as a badge of honor, an allegiance to their fandom. Debates broke out daily about which band was the G.O.A.T., greatest of all time. As an entry level novice of music at this time, die hearts tried to persuade me with certain songs and classic albums to join their side. Unfortunately, I never really got excited about music until high school, using lyrics, rhythms and tunes to run faster as a cross country runner.

Now there was a certain man among the Pharisees named Nicodemus, a ruler (a leader, an authority) among the Jews,2 Who came to Jesus at night and said to Him, Rabbi, we know and are certain that You have come from God [as] a Teacher; for no one can do these signs (these wonderworks, these miracles—and produce the proofs) that You do unless God is with him, John 3:1-2.

During college, one Christian band spoke to my heart like Jesus spoke to Nicodemus. When one of my college roommates introduced me to the Altar Boys, I was immediately drawn to their Punk Rock. The Altar Boys is like a combination of the Clash and David Bowe with their own unique style. The Altar Boys’ Gut Level Music album made me a fan for life. The attached You Tube provides a good mix of original, classic and hardcore songs from the Altar Boys. As you listen to their music this week, I pray that the lyrics will speak to your heart like Life Begins at the Cross. Enjoy this hang banging band.

by Jay Mankus

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