Author Archives: expressyourself4him

From Shallow to Saved

Posted on March 28, 2022 by expressyourself4him

Shallow people often exhibit a superficial nature due to emptiness, ignorance, and or a tendency to be self-absorbed. Looking back at my adolescence, my bout with stuttering and stammering severely stunted my ability to communicate with my peers. Subsequently, I withdrew from society and hid my pain, so I didn’t embarrass myself in public. Meanwhile, I suppressed my feelings by focusing solely on sports which I began to excel at as I entered high school.

And as He was going into one village, He was met by ten lepers, who stood at a distance. 13 And they raised up their voices and called, Jesus, Master, take pity and have mercy on us! – Luke 17:12-13

Following the decree in Leviticus 13:43-46, the ten lepers in today’s passage were forced into quarantine, banned from entering their village until their leprosy was healed. Whenever a healthy person approached, the Jewish law called for each man to proclaim, “I am unclean.” Jesus didn’t come to judge these lepers, but to free them from their contagious disease. Upon hearing the good news of being healed, perhaps the other 9 lepers were too shallow to thank Jesus for this new lease on life.

Then Jesus asked, Were not [all] ten cleansed? Where are the nine? 18 Was there no one found to return and to [d]recognize and give thanks and praise to God except this alien? 19 And He said to him, Get up and go on your way. Your faith (your trust and confidence that spring from your belief in God) has restored you to health, Luke 17:17-19

When I was in high school, I acted like the 9 lepers who failed to give thanks and praise to God. I was so consumed by what I wanted to do and where I wanted to go that I neglected the Lord. Rather than open my eyes to all the blessings in my life, my shallow nature prevented me from appreciating the obvious. Yet, when I made the decision to make Jesus my Lord and Savior in college, Romans 10:9-11, I was transformed from shallow to saved. A few years later, God completely healed me of my stuttering like the ten lepers who experienced their own miraculous healing.

by Jay Mankus

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S.A.N.S. Episode 55: What Would Jesus Do?

Posted on March 27, 2022 by expressyourself4him

Today’s song comes from the Cyndi Lauper of Christian music. Similar to Cyndi’s hit song Girls Just Want To Have Fun, Julie Miller has a joy for life that she places into each song. A former Rolling Stones article revealed Julie’s battle with fibromyalgia, a disorder that causes chronic pain in the muscles and bones as well as fatigue and mood issues. This is the context that sets the tone for What Would Jesus Do?

Therefore be imitators of God [copy Him and follow His example], as well-beloved children [imitate their father]. 2 And walk in love, [esteeming and delighting in one another] as Christ loved us and gave Himself up for us, a [a]slain offering and sacrifice to God [for you, so that it became] a sweet fragrance, Ephesians 5:1-2.

Julie uses the opening of the Parable of the Lost Sheep in Luke 15 to ask the question: what would Jesus do? While Julie has a distinct voice that you won’t find in many grown-ups, the lyrics of What Would Jesus Do stirs my heart and brings a tear to my eyes each time I listen. Julie sings about the need for Christians to exercise a labor of love. May this song inspire you to be the hands and feet of Christ.

by Jay Mankus

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When a Step of Faith Results in Healing

Posted on March 27, 2022 by expressyourself4him

The author of the Gospel of Luke writes with a Greek style. Based upon first century historians, Luke was a physician who accompanied the apostle Paul on several missionary trips. It’s unclear if Luke served as Paul’s personal doctor like a modern-day nurse, but he does notice and reflect upon Jesus’ unusual healing methods. On two different occasions, a step of faith results in miraculous healings.

And they raised up their voices and called, Jesus, Master, take pity and have mercy on us! 14 And when He saw them, He said to them, Go [at once] and show yourselves to the priests. And as they went, they were cured and made clean, Luke 17:13-14.

Modern self-help gurus often refer to the power of human minds. This is where you can go down a slippery slope theologically where some use faith as a force to bring about healing. This is not what Luke is referring to based upon the teaching of Jesus in Matthew 21:20-22. When people in desperate need of a miracle exchange their doubts with belief in the God of miracles, a step of faith can result in healing.

And Jesus went with them. But when He was not far from the house, the centurion sent [some] friends to Him, saying, Lord, do not trouble [Yourself], for I am not [a]sufficiently worthy to have You come under my roof; 7 Neither did I consider myself worthy to come to You. But [just] speak a word, and my servant boy will be healed. 8 For I also am a man [daily] subject to authority, with soldiers under me. And I say to one, Go, and he goes; and to another, Come, and he comes; and to my bond servant, Do this, and he does it. 9 Now when Jesus heard this, He marveled at him, and He turned and said to the crowd that followed Him, I tell you, not even in [all] Israel have I found such great faith [as this], Luke 7:6-9.

An event that takes place earlier in the gospel of Luke proves this point. The centurion in biblical times is a non-com officer in the Roman Army who oversaw 100 men. Using his experience with the chain of command, the centurion didn’t want to waste Jesus’ precious time. All this man needed was for Jesus to give a command, to say the word. When belief replaces doubt, a step of faith results in healing.

by Jay Mankus

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S.A.N.S. Episode 54: Delicate Fade

Posted on March 26, 2022 by expressyourself4him

Today’s featured song comes from the group Common Children. Perhaps using a play on words, children make plenty of mistakes, especially early in life. Subsequently, the lyrics of Delicate Fade refer to the stains of time. From a spiritual perspective, stains come from sin, producing dirty laundry that darkens human souls. The first step toward maturity is recognizing that you can’t live life on your own.

For I do not understand my own actions [I am baffled, bewildered]. I do not practice or accomplish what I wish, but I do the very thing that I loathe [[b]which my moral instinct condemns]. 16 Now if I do [habitually] what is contrary to my desire, [that means that] I acknowledge and agree that the Law is good (morally excellent) and that I take sides with it. 17 However, it is no longer I who do the deed, but the sin [principle] which is at home in me and has possession of me, Romans 7:15-17.

Of all the Christian groups that I listen to, Common Children has one of the best classic rock sounds. While the lyrics on their albums aren’t that inspirational, the musicians and singing keep me coming back for more. As for Delicate Fade, the lyrics talks about the scars that occur throughout life. Some of these scars are external while others remain inside our hearts. As you deal with these scars, may you turn to Jesus to find comfort for your soul.

by Jay Mankus

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You Can Only Serve One Lord Faithfully

Posted on March 26, 2022 by expressyourself4him

Between telling stories of parables, teaching at local synagogues and preaching to the masses, Jesus visually connected with his audience. While Jesus never told anyone the answers outside of his disciples, illustrations were shared in public to make people think. This style of teaching created a spiritual hunger deep inside of many of Jesus’ followers. During the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus made it clear that you can only serve one master faithfully. Depending upon what you treasure dictates your final decision.

For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also. 22 The eye is the lamp of the body. So if your eye is sound, your entire body will be full of light, Matthew 6:21-22.

Unfortunately, theology (the science of God) is used by some modern-day preachers to speak down to members of their congregation. This is not consistent with Jesus’ first century teachings. Your eyes are designed by God to be the lamp of your body. However, if your eyes start to deteriorate, darkness will enter your life. If this darkness is not addressed, you might find yourself trying to serve God and money.

But if your eye is unsound, your whole body will be full of darkness. If then the very light in you [your [r]conscience] is darkened, how dense is that darkness! No one can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will stand by and be devoted to the one and despise and be [s]against the other. You cannot serve God and mammon ([t]deceitful riches, money, possessions, or [u]whatever is trusted in), Matthew 6:23-24.

At some point over the past 50 years, the fire and brimstone preaching of the 1970’s has become water downed with positive and politically correct sermons. Instead of focusing on hard-hitting messages that confront darkness living inside of Christians, mainline churches prefer themes that promote increased giving. While the apostle Paul is clear that no one is perfect, Romans 3:9-12, your priorities and time dictate who you’re serving, Matthew 6:33-34. Who and what you seek first will determine who you will serve in the future.

by Jay Mankus

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S.A.N.S. Episode 53: Purify

Posted on March 25, 2022 by expressyourself4him

During my first summer as a full-time youth director in Indiana, my church hosted 30 students from the Netherlands. One of my responsibilities was to give these teens a tour of downtown Columbus when their group first arrived. While playing tour guide for a day; I met a teenager who was desperately missing his European Techo Music. Today’s feature song comes from the group 65dBA who I discovered in a Christian bookstore on my quest to share Jesus with these Netherlanders.

And everyone who has this hope [resting] on Him cleanses (purifies) himself just as He is pure (chaste, undefiled, guiltless), 1 John 3:3.

One of my favorite pastimes in high school was going dancing. I first learned to dance at a Concord High School Homecoming with my cross-country teammates. Once I developed as a dancer, I went to a local disco night club called Pulsations. When I first listened to today’s song Purify by 65dBA, I felt like I was at a college nightclub. While today’s song may not be for everyone, if you appreciate modern dance, disco or techno music, this song is for you.

by Jay Mankus

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The Second Glance, Sex, and Murder

Posted on March 25, 2022 by expressyourself4him

One of my most viewed blogs over the past decade is The Second Glance. Yet, this is only the beginning of the demise of King David. According to 2 Samuel 11, David’s second glance at a naked women led to sexual relations with a married woman. When Israel’s king wasn’t able to cover up Bathsheba’s pregnancy as he initially planned, David gave orders to for Uriah to go off on a suicide mission resulting in his death.

In the spring, when kings go forth to battle, David sent Joab with his servants and all Israel, and they ravaged the Ammonites [country] and besieged Rabbah. But David remained in Jerusalem. 2 One evening David arose from his couch and was walking on the roof of the king’s house, when from there he saw a woman bathing; and she was very lovely to behold, 2 Samuel 11:1-2.

When I was a member of the Spiritual Life Committee at Red Lion Christian Academy, I took a group of senior high students to an annual retreat. During one of these conferences, the keynote messages was based upon the consequences of sin. Using Romans 7 as a reference, the speaker claimed that sin will cost you more than you ever expected, sin will captivate your attention longer than you planned, and sin will make you stay beyond the time you intended. This is exactly what happened to King David.

David sent and inquired about the woman. One said, Is not this Bathsheba, the daughter of Eliam and the wife of Uriah the Hittite? 4 And David sent messengers and took her. And she came in to him, and he lay with her—for she was purified from her uncleanness. Then she returned to her house, 2 Samuel 11:3-4.

Christian artist Kenny Marks sings about a similar fall from grace in his 1986 hit The Party’s Over. Kenny writes about a rendezvous that two students have at a high school party. Like the start of any romance, infatuation leads to lust, lust triggers passion, and uninhibited passion leads a young woman to give her virginity away. Like David and Bathsheba, this one stand conceived a child placed into a no-win situation.

In the morning David wrote a letter to Joab and sent it with Uriah. 15 And he wrote in the letter, Put Uriah in the front line of the heaviest fighting and withdraw from him, that he may be struck down and die, 2 Samuel 11:14-15.

Sin turns a curious child into a rebellious prodigal. If you don’t have anyone to hold you accountable for your actions, you’ll end up like a wayward son or daughter on the highway to hell, Matthew 7:13-14. When sin becomes full blown, James 1:15, Christians end up like the apostle Paul in Romans 7:15-16, under the influence of sinful addictions. Before this gets out of hand like David’s situation, confess your sins and turn back to Jesus today, James 5:16. Go now and leave your life of sin before it ruins your life.

by Jay Mankus

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S.A.N.S. Episode 52: Keep My Mind

Posted on March 24, 2022 by expressyourself4him

When I lived in Columbus, Indiana a friend invited me to a Margaret Becker concert in Cincinnati, Ohio. Following the concert, I volunteered to help break down the stage and pack Margaret’s bus for her next concert. The interactions that I had with Margaret and her team that night made me a fan for life. In an age filled with compromise, Margaret has remained true to her faith and music ministry.

If then you have been raised with Christ [to a new life, thus sharing His resurrection from the dead], aim at and seek the [rich, eternal treasures] that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. 2 And set your minds and keep them set on what is above (the higher things), not on the things that are on the earth. 3 For [as far as this world is concerned] you have died, and your [new, real] life is hidden with Christ in God, Colossians 3:1-3.

The lyrics of today’s song Keep My Mind reminds me of one of the apostle Paul’s epistles. Depending upon the mindset that you hold will dictate the attitude and behavior that you display in life. When my heart and mind is set on Jesus, I feel my better about the present and my future. Yet, when I tend to be more selfish, I feel empty inside. As you listen to Keep My Mind, follows Paul’s advice listed above.

by Jay Mankus

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A Gratitude Adjustment

Posted on March 24, 2022 by expressyourself4him

In this age of the Coronavirus, inflation and war with Russia invading Ukraine, gratitude has been pushed to the back of the line. When the world you are living in is literally falling apart, it’s hard to acknowledge the positive aspects of life. Watching breaking news stories on cable only makes me even more depressed. Before any sense of appreciation disappears completely in 2022, a gratitude adjustment is essential to keep hope alive.

Then one of them, upon seeing that he was cured, turned back, [c]recognizing and thanking and praising God with a loud voice; 16 And he fell prostrate at Jesus’ feet, thanking Him [over and over]. And he was a Samaritan, Luke 17:15-16.

Today’s passage comes from a first century physician. Instead of giving medical details of how these ten lepers were healed, Luke appears to be baffled. Based upon the end of verse 14, “as they went, they were cured and made clean,” the anticipation in the minds of these ten men played a crucial role. While nine walked faster and faster as if racing to see who could get to the priest first, one leper stopped, looked down and realized that he was miraculously healed.

Then Jesus asked, Were not [all] ten cleansed? Where are the nine? 18 Was there no one found to return and to [d]recognize and give thanks and praise to God except this alien? – Luke 17:17-18

Perhaps the other nine men were so eager to resume a normal life that they forgot to thank Jesus. Meanwhile, the Samaritan leper, who already understood what it felt like to be under appreciated in life was moved by God. Jesus was sent to call the Jews back to repentance, not the Samaritans. However, like the Samaritan woman at a well in John 4, a spirit of gratitude filled each of their hearts. When you slow down enough in life to see where you’ve been and what God has done, gratitude is the first step toward healing and happiness.

by Jay Mankus

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S.A.N.S. Episode 51: Worlds Away

Posted on March 23, 2022 by expressyourself4him

Today’s song comes from the Simon and Garfunkel of Christian music. Crumbächer and Duke or otherwise displayed as Crumbächer-Duke joined their musical talents in the 1980’s. While not as mellow as Simon and Garfunkel, Crumbächer and Duke mix pop with synthetic dance. When you combine this style with several ballads, Crumbächer and Duke provide a soothing sound for background music.

For the wages which sin pays is death, but the [bountiful] free gift of God is eternal life through (in union with) Jesus Christ our Lord, Romans 6:23.

The lyrics of Worlds Away refer to hearing God’s still small voice on earth. Yet, the distractions that exist on earth make God feel worlds away. Whether you’re suffering from depression like Elijah in 1 Kings 19:11-13, seeing the presence of the Lord is rare. However, if you can tune out all of the noise, you may be pleasantly surprised by the power of the Holy Spirit, 2 Peter 1:3-4. I hope you enjoy Worlds Away.

by Jay Mankus

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