Author Archives: expressyourself4him

Intense and Unfailing Love

Posted on March 18, 2022 by expressyourself4him

My parents took me to see Rocky I in the theaters in 1976. When Rocky III debuted 6 years later, this coincided with an inner desire to become a great athlete. The theme song Eye of the Tiger was a daily goal, striving to possess the same intensity of a prized fighter in each of my sports competitions. Two years later, I became a running machine while training for cross country just like Sylvester Stallone in Rocky IV. Unfortunately, my high school years were full of intensity but lacked love and understanding.

Above all things have intense and unfailing love for one another, for love covers a multitude of sins [forgives and [e]disregards the offenses of others], 1 Peter 4:8.

Intense refers to an extreme degree, force, or strength in which you pursue something. While intense is often associated with competitions, Peter urges first century Christians to pursue their spiritual lives with the same passion. In the passage above, Peter appears to reference Jesus’ words in the Sermon on the Mount, Matthew 6:14-15. At the end of the Lord’s Prayer, forgiving and loving others is essential for being forgiven by God. This is the purpose and reason for pursuing intense and unfailing love.

You have granted me life and favor, and Your providence has preserved my spirit. 13 Yet these [the present evils] have You hid in Your heart [for me since my creation]; I know that this was with You [in Your purpose and thought], Job 10:12-13.

Whether I like it or not, I have become more like my father as I grow older. My passion for sports has faded, put on hold to become a better father and spiritual life coach for my children. While I am far from the earthly father that God wants me to be, the missing ingredient is an unfailing love like Jesus. Regardless of what has happened in life, all bitterness, grudges, and pain must be released and let go of for good. If I can exchange my intensity for sports and replace it with God’s unfailing love, forgiveness and reconciliation will become a reality on earth.

by Jay Mankus

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S.A.N.S. Episode 42: On Fire

Posted on March 17, 2022 by expressyourself4him

I was introduced to Switchfoot through a Christian movie entitled The Ultimate Gift. While teaching at Red Lion, parents would occasionally buy me Christmas presents. One of the last gifts I received was The Ultimate Gift. For some unknown reason, this DVD sat on a shelf, collecting dust for a number of years. Yet, when I finally opened this and watched the movie, I was overwhelmed by the story and touched by the music.

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.

There are plenty of films where the money from a will changes an individual’s life. Yet, when James Garner leaves his grandson a series of tests that lead to an ultimate gift, I was intrigued to figure out how this was going to end for Jason Stevens played by Drew Filler. One of these tests involves leaving the country alone, without his new girl friend. This decision montage uses On Fire to highlight Jason’s final choice. While Switchfoot has plenty of great songs, I hope you enjoy On Fire.

by Jay Mankus

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What a Baptism Can Do for You?

Posted on March 17, 2022 by expressyourself4him

A baptism is an outward display of an inner faith. Today, churches across the country perform infant baptisms and child dedications where this decision is made by parents. However, the baptisms performed by John and Baptist and Jesus in the Bible were based upon personal convictions. While I was baptized as a child, I felt convicted in college to get baptized publicly. What my baptism did for me was to take my faith more serious by becoming a man of God.

[The souls of those] who long before in the days of Noah had been disobedient, when God’s patience waited during the building of the ark in which a few [people], actually eight in number, were saved through water, 1 Peter 3:20.

In the passage above, Peter compares baptism to the flood sent by God to cleanse the world from sin. According to oral tradition, the days of Noah was filled with worldwide disobedience. Perhaps not to the extent of the days of the Judges 21:25 where human nature influenced people to do what’s right in their own eyes. Nonetheless, baptism provides Christians with a do over, a fresh start to begin again. You may not feel clean, but the body of Christ serves as an accountability partner to keep you out of trouble.

And baptism, which is a figure [of their deliverance], does now also save you [from inward questionings and fears], not by the removing of outward body filth [bathing], but by [providing you with] the answer of a good and clear conscience (inward cleanness and peace) before God [because you are demonstrating what you believe to be yours] through the resurrection of Jesus Christ, 1 Peter 3:21.

Peter provides a broader explanation of what the act of baptism can do for you in the above passage. The issue that Jews like Peter had to overcome was a spiritual superiority complex that existed among first century religious leaders. Pharisees became so obsessed with their outward appearance that hearts were neglected. Following baptisms in the book of Acts, believers had immediate access to the Holy Spirit. As Christians learn to keep in step with God’s Sprit, Galatians 5:25, consciences are cleansed and purified. May this blog inspire you to pursue an adult baptism if you haven’t yet done so.

by Jay Mankus

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S.A.N.S. Episode 41: This is a Call

Posted on March 16, 2022 by expressyourself4him

During my last couple years of teaching at Red Lion Christian Academy, the school started an Activity Period so that athletes wouldn’t miss as much class time for away competitions. One of the most popular activities was Ultimate Frisbee. When the weather was too cold or raining, my class met inside the gym. When the weather was nice, the school had a turf field where we had several memorable games. One of the students in this class introduced me to Thousand Foot Krutch who sings today’s featured song.

 You will show me the path of life; in Your presence is fullness of joy, at Your right hand there are pleasures forevermore, Psalm 16:11.

My favorite Thousand Foot Krutch album is The End is Where We Begin. The majority of the songs on this album are upbeat with a couple of ballads. Yet, the Thousand Foot Krutch song that touched my heart the most comes from the 2003 Phenomenon album. This is a Call contains a series of trials that people are going through. The lyrics begin with a girl whose mother is battling cancer. If you can’t relate to this, there are two other scenarios that may stir your soul. I hope you enjoy This is a Call.

by Jay Mankus

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A Reason to Change

Posted on March 16, 2022 by expressyourself4him

A defining moment is very brief portion of time, an instant, where you have to decide in a moment. If you’re too slow to react, this moment will define your life in the form of disappointment, failure, and shame. This old French expression is now nearly 1000 years old since it first appeared in literature. Whether you just experienced the agony of defeat or thrill of victory, defining moments provide an opportunity to change.

For the time that is past already suffices for doing what the Gentiles like to do—living [as you have done] in shameless, insolent wantonness, in lustful desires, drunkenness, reveling, drinking bouts and abominable, lawless idolatries, 1 Peter 4:3.

If anyone had a reason to change, it was one of Jesus’ disciples. John 21:15-21 details Peter’s first interaction with Jesus following his public denial. Jesus asked Peter, “do you love me” three times as if remind Peter of his failure to acknowledge his friendship with Jesus three times. Hearing these words likely pierced Peter’s heart, creating an intense desire to never deny his faith again.

They are astonished and think it very queer that you do not now run hand in hand with them in the same excesses of dissipation, and they abuse [you]. 5 But they will have to give an account to Him Who is ready to judge and pass sentence on the living and the dead, 1 Peter 4:4-5.

When I was a new Christian in high school, I really didn’t know what it meant to be a follower of Jesus. Attending spiritual retreats in college pushed me in the right direction to the point where I had to decide if I wanted Jesus to take the wheel of my life? This is what the Bible refers to as the lordship of Christ, Philippians 2:9-11. Over the course of your life, you’ll likely receive bad information and instructions. Becoming a Christian doesn’t make problems go away. Rather, Jesus has a dumping station where you can unload excess weight, Matthew 11:28-30. This is the reason I changed, Romans 10:9-11.

by Jay Mankus

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S.A.N.S. Episode 40: Back to the Start

Posted on March 15, 2022 by expressyourself4him

Today’s song came from a $1 bin that I discovered at a local Christian Bookstore before it went out of business. While the name Esterlyn didn’t impress me, the album cover and several inspiring songs got my attention. Back when making music mixes on CD’s was popular, I created a soft rock collection. After rediscovering this CD while cleaning last weekend, I put 3 songs from Esterlyn on this special mix.

Therefore if any person is [ingrafted] in Christ (the Messiah) he is a new creation (a new creature altogether); the old [previous moral and spiritual condition] has passed away. Behold, the fresh and new has come! – 2 Corinthians 5:17

While the songs on Esterlyn’s Lamp album are relatively short, each contains a quality sound with solid biblical lyrics. The featured song Back to the Start is my favorite Esterlyn tune. Everyone reaches a point in life where you have to start over. In the film City Slickers, Billy Crystal goes away with his two best friends on a cattle ranch. Billy’s character Mitch refers to this trip as a do-over, a chance for a fresh start. As you listen to Back to the Start, may you be inspired to begin again with Jesus.

by Jay Mankus

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Demonstrating What You Believe

Posted on March 15, 2022 by expressyourself4him

As a former Bible teacher, you have to demonstrate what you believe before any student will take you seriously. You can be prepared and know exactly what you are going to teach, but if you are not walking the walk as a Christian, your words will fall upon deaf ears. It doesn’t take long to spot a hypocrite so unless you demonstrate what you believe your audience will continue to shrink.

And baptism, which is a figure [of their deliverance], does now also save you [from inward questionings and fears], not by the removing of outward body filth [bathing], but by [providing you with] the answer of a good and clear conscience (inward cleanness and peace) before God [because you are demonstrating what you believe to be yours] through the resurrection of Jesus Christ, 1 Peter 3:21.

One of my favorite passages in the Bible comes from John 8:10-11. One day Jesus approaches a town where and man and woman are caught in the act of adultery. As members of the community begin to pick up stones to fulfill Leviticus 20:10, Jesus starts writing in the sand. Although no one is sure what was written, some scholars have suggested Jesus began to write down secret sins of those with stones. After a call for inner reflection, Jesus keeps writing until everyone in the crowd had left and gone home.

But without faith it is impossible to please and be satisfactory to Him. For whoever would come near to God must [necessarily] believe that God exists and that He is the rewarder of those who earnestly and diligently seek Him [out]. 7 [Prompted] by faith Noah, being forewarned by God concerning events of which as yet there was no visible sign, took heed and diligently and reverently constructed and prepared an ark for the deliverance of his own family. By this [his faith which relied on God] he passed judgment and sentence on the world’s unbelief and became an heir and possessor of righteousness ([c]that relation of being right into which God puts the person who has faith), Hebrews 11:6-7.

Jesus could had said a number of things before leaving town. Yet, Jesus turns to this adulterous woman and declares, “go now and leave your life of sin.” The apostle Paul devotes Romans 8:1-13 to demonstrating what you believe. After sharing his own personal failures and struggles in Romans 7, Paul reveals how to leave your life of sin. Demonstrating what you believe is based upon leaving your former desires for sin and replace this with a craving for the Holy Spirit. When your life begins to reflect the acts of the Spirit and not the flesh, Galatians 5:16-25, you’re on your way toward demonstrating faith.

by Jay Mankus

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S.A.N.S. Episode 39: Supernatural

Posted on March 14, 2022 by expressyourself4him

While attending my first spiritual retreat in college, a couple of students stepped up on top of a cafeteria table and began to rap. Later that night a friend informed me that these students were from Liberty University and referred to themselves as DC Talk. This strange encounter didn’t win me over to rap music, but the Supernatural album made me a fan of DC Talk.

Jesus said to him, “Away from me, Satan! For it is written: ‘Worship the Lord your God, and serve him only,” Matthew 4:10.

When I first purchased this album, I drove a couple of students from Red Lion to a leadership conference in the Pocono Mountains. No one in my car objected to replaying this CD once the final song came to an end. While the song Red Letters moved me due to the inspiration lyrics, Supernatural in my mind is by far the best overall song. I hope that Supernatural touches you like it did for me two decades ago.

by Jay Mankus

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Do You Want to Enjoy Life and See Good Days?

Posted on March 14, 2022 by expressyourself4him

I tend to be outspoken about issues that affect or impact my life. While teaching high school Bible for a decade, I lost my cool a couple of times. On one occasion I wrote a letter to the administration which got me in hot water with other teachers. Following this escapade, my good friend Spencer provided words of wisdom: “loose lips sink ships.” According to one of Jesus’ disciples, this is crucial to enjoying life and seeing good days ahead.

For let him who wants to enjoy life and see good days [good—whether apparent or not] keep his tongue free from evil and his lips from guile (treachery, deceit), 1 Peter 3:10.

My grandmother Joana always greeted me with the same corny phrase, “you’re such a good religious boy.” As a children raised in the Roman Catholic Church, I was taught to pursue the holy sacraments. From my first communion, years of CCD (Sunday School for Catholics), and completing the Confirmation process, I thought I was well on my way toward enjoying life and seeing good days. Boy was I wrong as if God was whispering, “not so fast.”

Even so the tongue is a little member, and it can boast of great things. See how much wood or how great a forest a tiny spark can set ablaze! 6 And the tongue is a fire. [The tongue is a] world of wickedness set among our members, contaminating and depraving the whole body and setting on fire the wheel of birth (the cycle of man’s nature), being itself ignited by hell (Gehenna), James 3:5-6.

While I knew all the right religious answers, my life was void of a personal relationship with God, Romans 10:9-10. Subsequently, I struggled through my first two years of high school with many unanswered questions. Thanks to a Fellowship of Christian Athletes group at Concord High and a local Methodist youth group, I started to run the race of faith, Hebrews 12:1-2. Although I’m nowhere near graduating from this spiritual adventure, I’m on the right path to clearing up my speech. As Christian’s mature, enjoying life and good days are slices of heaven on earth before the real party in the sky commences.

by Jay Mankus

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S.A.N.S. Episode 38: Go and Sin No More

Posted on March 13, 2022 by expressyourself4him

Back in the 1980’s, the Christian bookstores that I shopped at had a series of items positioned on the counter. The impulse buyer in me was a sucker for music samplers, individual songs from new albums that were set to be released sometime in the year. As I went through my closest this winter to prepare to move this summer, I was astonished by all the sampler CD’s that I have accumulated. Yet, if it wasn’t for these CD’s, I might not have heard of the group Liaison.

When Jesus raised Himself up, He said to her, Woman, where are your accusers? Has no man condemned you? 11 She answered, No one, Lord! And Jesus said, I do not condemn you either. Go on your way and from now on sin no more, John 8:10-11.

Go and Sin No More was one of the featured songs that introduced me to Liaison. While in college, a special radio program on Saturday night highlighted new and unknown Christian rock bands. As for today’s featured song, it comes right out of the Bible as Jesus addresses a woman who was spared from being stoned to death. Instead of falling into bad habits of your past life, Jesus leaves this woman with a simple message: go and sin no more. I hope you enjoy this classic ballad.

by Jay Mankus

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