Author Archives: expressyourself4him

Make My Heart Like Yours

Posted on January 11, 2016 by expressyourself4him

Music can be similar to relationships.  The more open minded you are, the likelihood of you accepting and embracing someone or something increases.  Unfortunately, stereotypes about an artist, genre or musician cause individuals to give up on a certain sound after a few seconds of listening.  Subsequently, the careers of millions fail, far short of where they hoped, rejected before having a real shot to succeed.

And I will give you a new heart, and a new spirit I will put within you. And I will remove the heart of stone from your flesh and give you a heart of flesh, Ezekiel 36:26.

Such is the case of Linda Elias, wife of Rick whose own career far surpassed hers.  Rick spent a decade as a member of Rich Mullins Ragamuffin band and his music was featured in the 1996 Tom Hanks movie, That Thing You Do.  As for Linda, following in the Belinda Carlisle genre, I thought her 1991 album The Meaning of Life would jump start her career.  However, in Christian music industry, unless you’re Amy Grant, you’re not going to get the attention you deserve.  As a result, you can’t find any of Linda’s songs on Pandora or You Tube.

Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded, James 4:8.

Nonetheless, during my recent fast I have started listening to one hour of inspirational music a day.  While soaking in the lyrics to Make My Heart Like Yours, I was moved, touched by God.  This song is more like a prayer, wishing that one day our hearts will become more like Christ.  In this song, Linda confesses her failures and shortcomings.  Leaning on God’s grace, she yearns to be transformed.  As I am daily reminded of my own sins, I am eager, waiting for God to make my heart like his son’s, Jesus.

by Jay Mankus

Linda’s album the Meaning of Life is available at Amazon.com for those willing to give a promising artist a chance.

 

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Silencing Her Critics

Posted on January 10, 2016 by expressyourself4him

When I think of an Open Mic night, I usually picture amateur comedians or singers trying to get noticed to start their careers.  However, in the ministry, open mic nights often serve as a precursor to the end of an event, conference or retreat.  This time gives individuals a chance to share what’s on their heart or what God taught them.  Touched by this concept on numerous occasions in high school and college, I adopted this practice once a month as a youth pastor in Indiana.

Come and hear, all you who fear God, and I will tell what he has done for my soul, Psalm 66:16.

Several students gave moving testimonies in our chapel, a small prayer room in the church basement which held about 50 people comfortably.  While a member of my student leadership team usually spoke, one month a shy girl volunteered.  She was an outcast, unattractive and not very interesting when she talked.  However, on this particular Sunday evening, she silenced her critics.

“Return to your home, and declare how much God has done for you.” And he went away, proclaiming throughout the whole city how much Jesus had done for him, Luke 8:39.

Opening up about trying to kill herself, brought most of the room to tears.  However, a spirit of boldness entered this rejuvenated soul, thanking those who showed random acts of kindness along the way.  For one shining moment, she was a star sent to give a heavenly message to stir the hearts of her teenage peers.  I’m not sure what has happened to this child of God, losing touch with many of my former students, but I will never forget the night she silenced her critics.

by Jay Mankus

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When You Hate The Person You Have Become

Posted on January 9, 2016 by expressyourself4him

Starting over or beginning from a new point of reference can be scary.  Yet, every New Year’s Day individuals try to become a little better, happier and healthier.  However, if you have ever followed in the footsteps of Frank Sinatra’s song, “I did it my way,” truth is relative.  Since the lyrics of My Way pretty much sums up how I lived in 2015, I became blinded from the person that I had become.

Furthermore, just as they did not think it worthwhile to retain the knowledge of God, so God gave them over to a depraved mind, so that they do what ought not to be done, Romans 1:28.

Unfortunately, when your life is obviously dysfunctional, there’s a temptation to compare yourself to those whom you deem lesser or worse.  In the first century, the apostle Paul sensed this within the hearts and minds of those who attended the church at Rome.  Calling it like he saw it, Paul confronts those who have the mindset, “well at least I’m not like that addict, criminal or prostitute over there.”  The other night at work, I caught myself as I gossiped about a co-worker.  At this very moment, a spirit of conviction consumed me.

You, therefore, have no excuse, you who pass judgment on someone else, for at whatever point you judge another, you are condemning yourself, because you who pass judgment do the same things, Romans 2:1.

During the first week of my current fast, the Holy Spirit has been opening my eyes to a painful reality.  While I currently hate the person I’ve become, confession is the first step to recovery.  Finding the narrow road that leads to life eternal may take more time than I want, but I know the journey back is worth it.  Like Moses in Hebrews 11:24-27, you have to know when to break free from your past, walking by faith until the person you despise becomes the child God desires.  As a youth pastor once told me, “it’s never too late to change!”

by Jay Mankus

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Whatever Happened to Being Normal?

Posted on January 8, 2016 by expressyourself4him

From time to time, part of my job requires me to test videos to determine if there is a defect within a device, episode or scene.  Over the course of a year, I come across a wide variety of genres from action, comedy, drama and horror.  While I should have observed this sooner, extremes are taking over, especially on reality television.  This makes me wonder, whatever happened to being normal?

My times are in your hand; rescue me from the hand of my enemies and from my persecutors! – Psalm 31:15

If you believe Hollywood, bad boys are attracting all the pretty girls, you can have your own movie and series if you’re a jackass and the more outlandish you are, sooner or later the cameras will find you.  Maybe I’m just too old fashioned, but some where along the way entertainment in America has gone off the deep end, forgetting the normal majority who make up most of this country.  While it may be boring, not news worthy and uninteresting, the average man, woman and child fly under the radar, giving their all daily.

Making the best use of the time, because the days are evil, Ephesians 5:16.

One of the most underrated messages comes from the 1999 movie October Sky, based on the life of Homer Hickam.  While his dad is portrayed as a jerk at times in the film, deep down Homer’s real hero is his father.  Although the term normal refers to someone who is average, regular and traditional, these individuals are the backbone of America.  Sure, it would be great to strike it rich, win the lottery or become an instant celebrity.  Yet, normal human beings are dependable, someone you can trust in time of need.  Therefore, don’t get carried away by what you see on television.  Rather, be grateful for those who are normal.

by Jay Mankus

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A Slow Fast

Posted on January 7, 2016 by expressyourself4him

I grew up in a competitive neighborhood, with several talented athletes.  Every summer we had races to see who was the fastest.  Although I did lose to a girl once, most of the time I was a step quicker than everyone else.  This environment led me to become long distance runner, finding my niche in cross country.  Perhaps this may explain why I have become an impatient adult, always in a hurry to get to no where.

“Yet even now,” declares the Lord, “return to me with all your heart, with fasting, with weeping, and with mourning; Joel 2:12.

In recent years, my paths have crossed with several individuals who fast at the beginning of each calendar year.  Since I enjoy eating, this spiritual discipline hasn’t come easy, more painful than beneficial.  Some friends have passed on helpful resources like books written by Jentzeen Franklin to help me get over the proverbial hump.  Yet, my heart hasn’t been ready to commit to this until now.

When I wept and humbled my soul with fasting, it became my reproach, Psalm 69:10.

While my current weight, the heaviest ever is one motivating factor, another reason to begin a fast is to pave a clear path for my future.  After listening to a few sermons in December, I found the easiest fast if there is such a thing is a Daniel Fast, twenty one days of eating fruits, vegetables and forgoing soft drinks for water.  Based upon Daniel’s experience during his captivity in Babylon, at the end of this period Daniel and his friends appeared healthier than those who ate the king’s food.  Thus, as I ease my way into this fast, I wait in eager expectation of the insight and life lessons the Lord will teach me over this 21 day journey.  If the timing is right, you can start as similar fast any time throughout 2016.

by Jay Mankus

 

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Expecting to Find a Place of Prayer

Posted on January 6, 2016 by expressyourself4him

In recent years, cynicism, doubt and hypocrisy have hardened many hearts.  Trying to find real genuine people who aren’t hiding behind a series of lies is tough.  Perhaps this explains why Bible believing churches are vanishing, pressured to confirm by a liberal culture.  Jesus predicted this in the last days where a decaying spiritual climate would develop.

Because of the increase of wickedness, the love of most will grow cold, Matthew 24:12.

At one time in America, churches were the center of cities, towns and rural communities.  If you needed assistance in form of advice, food or shelter, there was usually some place you could go for help.  In the first century, if there weren’t enough men to start synagogues, worship took place outside of towns, usually at the nearest body of water.  Thus, when the apostle Paul traveled to Philippi he expected to find a place of prayer.

On the Sabbath we went outside the city gate to the river, where we expected to find a place of prayer. We sat down and began to speak to the women who had gathered there, Acts 16:13.

One of the cornerstones of the first and second great awakenings were nightly prayer meetings.  Although initial events only brought out a few participants, concerts of prayer spread as a spirit of conviction led people to confess their sins.  Unfortunately, in this day and age, a sin isn’t what it use to be.  Compromise, justifying actions and the elimination of absolutes have breed lukewarm spirits.  Thus, there isn’t a sense of urgency to get right with God.  As a new year begins, may be people will change for the better, developing hearts that expect to find places of prayer.

by Jay Mankus

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Attitude Adjustment

Posted on January 5, 2016 by expressyourself4him

At one point as a high school teacher, I thought teenagers were the ones who needed an attitude adjustment.  Whenever certain students didn’t get their way, a scene would ensue, usually huffing and puffing their way into a tizzy.  Yet, as a coach for nearly two decades now, some parents model bad attitudes which their children often adopt.

After they had been severely flogged, they were thrown into prison, and the jailer was commanded to guard them carefully.  About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the other prisoners were listening to them, Acts 16:23, 25.

In some cases, people have the right to complain.  Especially, for those who have been accused or blamed for an act without a trial to prove their innocence.  However, the apostle Paul teaches those who over-react an important life lesson.  After being imprisoned for freeing a slave from her greedy masters, Paul turns to the only One who can maintain his temper.  In the face of adversity, Paul leaned on prayer and worship to calm his emotions.

For the flesh desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the flesh. They are in conflict with each other, so that you are not to do whatever you want, Galatians 5:17.

Based upon a letter written to the church at Galatia, the apostle Paul dealt with the source behind bad attitudes.  Human nature tends to feed on acts of the flesh which take the form of immoral behavior.  While some are considered worse than others, each of the fruits of this sinful nature can poison the attitudes of good people.  In view of these invisible forces, follow in the footsteps of Paul by turning your heart and minds toward prayer and worship.  By doing this you will be on your way toward completing a spiritual attitude adjustment.

by Jay Mankus

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Victories Don’t Come By Accident

Posted on January 4, 2016 by expressyourself4him

Depending upon the nature of a competition, bystanders may suggest that someone is lucky, getting good breaks along the way.  Eyewitnesses to a sporting event might throw out conspiracy theories, blame biased officials or poor conditions to explain an upset or unlikely champion.  However, in the context of prayer, victory does not come by accident.

Come near to God and he will come near to you. Wash your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded. Grieve, mourn and wail. Change your laughter to mourning and your joy to gloom. Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up, James 4:8-10.

Even those whom drew near to the Lord, walking closely with God during their life experienced moments of doubt.  Job struggled to comprehend the hardships he endured.  Elijah wanted to die after receiving death threat from Queen Jezebel.  Despite being a man after God’s own heart, David wrote against God’s silence in response to his prayers.  Nonetheless, when a persistent prayer enters God’s presence, victory is not far behind.

And will not God bring about justice for his chosen ones, who cry out to him day and night? Will he keep putting them off? I tell you, he will see that they get justice, and quickly. However, when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on the earth? – Luke 18:7-8

At the end of the parable of the persistent widow, Jesus brings up the question of faith.  As the day of Christ’s return approaches, cynicism within this world increases.  The more that bad things happen to relatively good people, human minds wrestle to comprehend God’s logic.  Thus, good results are attributed to coincidence, luck and the yin and yang effect.  However, for those who believe in the power of prayer, victories are not a fluke.  Rather, blessings are a direct correlation to obedience, prayer and submitting to God.

by Jay Mankus

 

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A Wall of Remembrance

Posted on January 3, 2016 by expressyourself4him

The American rock band the Cars once sang, Let the Good Times Roll.  Debuting in 1978 as a single, Good Times Roll is synonymous with joyous occasions in life.  While these moments may not happen that often, those who experience a season of blessings don’t want it to end.  Unfortunately, when the tides change in the form of disappointment, hardships and trials, its important to create a wall of remembrance.

Therefore encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing, 1 Thessalonians 5:11.

In the 2015 film War Room, Miss Clara uses this concept to remind her of all the prayers the Lord has answered.  Whenever discouragement tried to steal her joy in life, Miss Clara found comfort and encouragement from God’s previous faithfulness.  These reflections from your past serve as a point of reference.  Therefore, whenever the good times disappear, dates, letters and pictures of transformed individuals can keep hope alive.

Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him, James 1:12.

During the first mission trips I ever served on, I was introduced to the concept of care cards.  Team members were encouraged to write notes to anyone who said something or did something that was noteworthy over the course of each day.  These cards were placed into individual mail boxes that were only accessible on your trip home.  When I became a youth pastor, I implemented this on two service projects that I oversaw.  When depression caused me to lose faith, I started my own wall of remembrance in my bedroom.  While 2016 is still in its infancy, perhaps its time to start your own wall to remind you of God’s goodness.

by Jay Mankus

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Preparing a Room for the New Year

Posted on January 2, 2016 by expressyourself4him

New Year Eve celebrations vary depending upon your age, number of friends and preparations.  Opting for a smaller crowd this year, I spent a quiet evening with an old friend and his wife.  Instead of playing games, we watched War Room for the first time, a 2015 film which illustrates how prayer or a lack there of influences the life of a family.  Several scenes struck a nerve, convicting me that I need to prepare a room for 2016.

But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you, Matthew 6:6.

An elderly woman reaches out to a real estate agent trying to sell her home.  Seizing the moment, Miss Clara played by Karen Abercrombie introduces Priscilla played by Elizabeth Jordan to the concept of a war room.  This spiritual mentor challenges Priscilla to find a secluded room, without distractions so that an intimate prayer life with God can begin.  However, until the stage is set with a broken heart desperate for change, most war rooms remain powerless, unable to shift the momentum of losing battles within our lives.

Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you, James 4:7.

In the past, prayer didn’t get my attention until I began to see answers to my cries for help.  Yet, this is just the beginning.  War rooms come to life as individuals learn to submit their lives to God and resist the devil.  If you reach this point, your mind will be transformed, resulting in boldness as you reclaim your relationship with God, home and family back from the control of demonic influences.  Although you may not be as successful as Miss Clara, this world is in need of prayer warriors willing to go to battle daily in their war rooms.

by Jay Mankus

 

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