Author Archives: expressyourself4him

The Waters of Life

Posted on August 1, 2022 by expressyourself4him

According to Abraham Maslow’s hierarchy of needs, water is among one of the most basic elements for human survival. God created human beings in such a way where completeness isn’t achieved until all five levels are reached, John 10:10. The physiological need of water is mentioned by a Psalmist. Yet, the passage below appears to be referring to Jesus’ words in John 4:13-15.

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 1:2-3.

This living water is described by the apostle Paul in Colossians 2:6-7, building upon the words in the passage above. The concept is similar to the words of one of the forefathers of Israel in Joshua 1:8. As Christians mediate on God’s Word, day and night, this is equivalent to studying the Bible daily. The biblical truths that Christians extract from the Bible is like the waters of life mention below.

They shall hunger no more, neither thirst any more; neither shall the sun smite them, nor any [d]scorching heat. 17 For the Lamb Who is in the midst of the throne will be their Shepherd, and He will guide them to the springs of the waters of life; and God will wipe away every tear from their eyes, Revelation 7:16-17.

Jesus spoke to Pharisees at the house of Levi in Matthew 9:11-13. The ideal goal of a Christian is to become solely reliant on the Word of God for answers in life. While the power of the Holy Spirit is detailed in 2 Peter 1:3-4, investing time reading the Bible is like bathing in the springs of living water. Anyone who exercises this spiritual discipline will be refreshed like the woman at the well in Samaria.

by Jay Mankus

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S.A.N.S. Episode 180: Never Be the Same

Posted on July 31, 2022 by expressyourself4him

A Catholic friend in high school introduced me to Tony Melendez. Unless you see someone born without arms play a guitar with his toes, it’s truly an amazing feat. Tony received national attention for an unforgettable moment on September 15, 1987, playing his guitar for Pope John Paul II in Los Angeles. Tony chose to play Never Be the Same, today’s featured song.

And all of us, as with unveiled face, [because we] continued to behold [in the Word of God] as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are constantly being transfigured into His very own image in ever increasing splendor and from one degree of glory to another; [for this comes] from the Lord [Who is] the Spirit, 2 Corinthians 3:18.

Tony could have blamed God for his unfortunate condition. Yet, Tony decided that he was going to learn to play a guitar whatever the cost. After years of discipline and hard work, Tony realized his dream to become a musician. When you add this passion to a man with a talented voice, Tony Melendez is a living example that God can do anything through Christians fueled by Jesus, Philippians 4:13.

by Jay Mankus

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So Be It

Posted on July 31, 2022 by expressyourself4him

Charles Spurgeon preached about John’s first doxology on September 2nd, 1883. A doxology is a liturgical formula of praise to God. The disciple whom Jesus loved writes his first doxology which can be found in Revelation 1:5-6. Meanwhile, the word Amen comes from ancient Hebrew which when translated into English means so be it. Perhaps, this is a way to express that no matter what happens, God is in control.

For from Him and through Him and to Him are all things. [For all things originate with Him and come from Him; all things live through Him, and all things center in and tend to consummate and to end in Him.] To Him be glory forever! Amen (so be it), Romans 11:36.

The apostle Paul devotes an entire chapter in his letter to the Church at Rome to a doxology. If you have ever attended a traditional Roman Catholic Church, the above passage is spoken by the priest during a traditional mass. One of the churches I attended in Maine, the priest sang these words at the end of each service. While modern worship is more emotionally based, Paul’s doxology confirms what Christians believe.

Amen! (So be it!) they cried. Blessing and glory and majesty and splendor and wisdom and thanks and honor and power and might [be ascribed] to our God to the ages and ages (forever and ever, throughout the eternities of the eternities)! Amen! (So be it!) – Revelation 7:12

Another one of John’s doxologies is listed above. The context of this doxology is based upon angels who are overwhelmed by the holiness of God. All those present fell prostate before the Lord, moved by the Holy Spirit to honor the God of eternity. When you have an opportunity to experience the presence of God on earth, somebody say Amen, so be it.

by Jay Mankus

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S.A.N.S. Episode 179: Freedom

Posted on July 30, 2022 by expressyourself4him

In their prime, Mylon & Broken Heart had a little bit of Elvis Pressley in their music, dress and hairdo included. Mylon R. LeFevre was one of the pioneers in Christian music which likely explains his induction into the Gospel Music Hall of Fame. As a teenager in the 1980’s Mylon & Broken Heart served as a good transitional band to go from listening to secular music to Christian artists.

In [this] freedom Christ has made us free [and completely liberated us]; stand fast then, and do not be hampered and held ensnared and submit again to a yoke of slavery [which you have once put off], Galatians 5:1.

The attached video is from an old concert where Mylon speaks from his heart about freedom that comes from entering into a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. While some of Mylon’s classic tunes haven’t aged well, the biblically based lyrics still speak to my heart. I could have chosen from a dozen songs to share, but freedom in Christ is life altering that everyone needs to experience.

by Jay Mankus

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You Ain’t Seen Nothing Yet

Posted on July 30, 2022 by expressyourself4him

The expression “You Ain’t Seen Nothing Yet” comes from a song by Canadian rock band Bachman–Turner Overdrive. The phrase “you ain’t heard nothing yet” first appeared in the title of a 1919 song written by Al Jolson and Gus Kahn with the music created by Bud De Sylva. When I recently read the passage below, high gas prices and record inflation is nothing compared to the 7 tribulations that await the earth.

And the stars of the sky dropped to the earth like a fig tree shedding its unripe fruit out of season when shaken by a strong wind. 14 And the [c]sky rolled up like a scroll and vanished, and every mountain and island was dislodged from its place, Revelation 6:13-14.

When I was a child, there was no cable to distract Americans from reality. Rather, most families tuned into the nightly news at 6 and 11pm. When the Home Box Office expanded your viewing options from 5 or 6 channels depending upon your antenna to nearly 1oo in the 1980’s, ratings on the three major networks began to decline. Subsequently, new casts began to shock viewers with extremes and violence.

Then the kings of the earth and their noblemen and their magnates and their military chiefs and the wealthy and the strong and [everyone, whether] slave or free hid themselves in the caves and among the rocks of the mountains, 16 And they called to the mountains and the rocks, Fall on (before) us and hide us from the face of Him Who sits on the throne and from the [d]deep-seated indignation and wrath of the Lamb, Revelation 6:15-16.

When I read the above passage last week, I was stunned by the details in John’s vision. Unlike catastrophe and disaster films that often overdramatize a specific event, John writes about something that will happen in the future. This contains Armageddon with Independence Day and the Day After Tomorrow. According to John, those that survive will seek higher ground, finding shelter within mountain caves. If you study the Bible enough, you ain’t seen nothing yet.

by Jay Mankus

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Staying Optimistic While Living in a Woke Culture

Posted on July 29, 2022 by expressyourself4him

As I try to keep up to date with current events, I often find myself shaking my head pondering, “how did we get here?” Gender identity, pronouns and progressive ideology have replaced traditional Judeo-Christian values as the social norm. Since watching cable news makes me depressed, I’m trying to stay optimistic while living in a woke culture.

For the time is coming when [people] will not tolerate (endure) sound and wholesome instruction, but, having ears itching [for something pleasing and gratifying], they will gather to themselves one teacher after another to a considerable number, chosen to satisfy their own liking and to foster the errors they hold, 4 And will turn aside from hearing the truth and wander off into myths and man-made fictions, 2 Timothy 4:3-4.

The apostle Paul provided similar advice to a teenage pastor in the first century. Paul was trying to prepare this spiritual leader for potential scenarios that might pop up from time to time. Whether through a vision of the future or divine insight, Paul warns of a time when human nature will influence society. When people wander away from the truth, the climate for a woke culture is made possible.

As for you, be calm and cool and steady, accept and suffer unflinchingly every hardship, do the work of an evangelist, fully perform all the duties of your ministry, 2 Timothy 4:5.

When you combine the passage above with Philippians 4:8-9, the best advice is to stay positive. Rather than react immediately to calls for you to be cancelled, stay calm, cool and collective. Additionally, take on the mindset of Jesus’ disciples, 1 Peter 3:17. As Christians mature by becoming willing to suffer for doing what’s right and true, you’ll stay optimistic while living in a woke culture.

by Jay Mankus

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S.A.N.S. Episode 178: Feel Invincible

Posted on July 29, 2022 by expressyourself4him

Since all three on my children attended a technical high school, concentrating on Culinary Arts, when I think of a skillet its’ another way to cook dinner. However, the Christian Rock band Skillet formed in Memphis, Tennessee, in 1996. While Skillet has a similar sound to Thousand Foot Krutch, they are a little more brash and, in your face, singing with conviction and passion.

Do not give that which is holy (the sacred thing) to the dogs, and do not throw your pearls before hogs, lest they trample upon them with their feet and turn and tear you in pieces, Matthew 7:6.

Human nature has a way of convincing young people that they are invincible. Meanwhile, when a freshman completes their first year of college, many come home for the summer believing that they are smarter than their parents. When you add pride to this equation, feeling invincible is a daily occurrence until God brings humility into your life. May today’s song rock your world toward trusting in the Lord.

by Jay Mankus

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S.A.N.S. Episode 177: Dance

Posted on July 28, 2022 by expressyourself4him

Today’s song reminds me of the classic film Footloose. Yet, Hoi Polloi’s music is alternative and more modern than the1980’s soundtrack Hoi Polloi was formed in New Zealand by vocalist Jenny Gullen and her husband. Jenny’s voice provides the feel of the Indigo Girls, but with creative lyrics and style that gives Hoi Polloi their distinct sound.

A time to weep and a time to laugh, a time to mourn and a time to dance, Ecclesiastes 3:4.

Dancing was one of my favorite pastimes in high school and college. While I started out like Kenneth Wormald’s character in Footloose, I ended up developing into a smooth dancer. Songs like Dance remind me of my college days where I went clubbing with friends every summer in Cleveland, Ohio. When you play today’s you tube, I hope you’re inspired to put on your dancing shoes.

by Jay Mankus

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Get Out of Here

Posted on July 28, 2022 by expressyourself4him

When I was in grade school, you would hear someone yell “get out of here” in the lunchroom weekly. As students gathered around a table to talk about what’s going in life, students would exaggerate or say something outrageous. This would trigger one or more students to exclaim, “get out of here.” As times have changed, get out of here is now used as a warning to leave as a means as escaping quickly.

Then the seven angels who had the seven trumpets prepared to sound them, Revelation 8:6.

Meanwhile, the sounding of a trumpet in the Bible is often symbolic of considerable consequences. This may be to signify an alarm of war, a call to assemble, or a command to march. During a series of visions in the Book of Revelation, John sees 7 angels who each have a trumpet. In the passage above, lips are puckered, ready and prepared to sound their trumpet.

The first angel blew [his] trumpet, and there was a storm of hail and fire mingled with blood cast upon the earth. And a third part of the earth was burned up and a third of the trees was burned up and all the green grass was burned up, Revelation 8:7.

As someone who has experienced a number of hailstorms over the years, “get out of here” is a call to seek shelter immediately. While playing hide and go seek on summer vacation in Maine, everyone made a beeline to a our cabin, holding our hands over our hands as hail fell from heaven. Whenever the skies above reveal a future storm on the horizon, get out of there (outside) and into the safety of God’s shelter.

by Jay Mankus

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S.A.N.S. Episode 176: Heaven is Calling Your Name

Posted on July 27, 2022 by expressyourself4him

Two or More is one of those obscure bands that had a good run of albums with the most notable Life in the Diamonds. Since there wasn’t much information online about this group, it appears their music was influenced by 4Him. Produced by John and Dino Elefante, Two or More had a couple of songs which received national attention. One of those is today’s featured song Heaven is Calling Your Name.

Again I tell you, if two of you on earth agree (harmonize together, make a symphony together) about whatever [anything and [g]everything] they may ask, it will come to pass and be done for them by My Father in heaven. 20 For wherever two or three are gathered (drawn together as My followers) in (into) My name, there I Am in the midst of them, Matthew 18:19-20.

The name Two or More was likely inspired by the passage above. While I was in college, this verse was regularly quoted in prayer. The context of this passage refers to church discipline, a form of accountability as there is power in numbers. Nonetheless, every Christian experiences a moment in life where you hear heaven call your name like Saul on the Road to Damascos.

by Jay Mankus

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