Author Archives: expressyourself4him

Time After Time… God Forgives

Posted on July 3, 2014 by expressyourself4him

On June 9th, 1984, Time After Time, the second single released from Cindi Lauper’s “She’s So Unusual” album hit #1 on the Billboard Top 100 Charts. Thirty years later, these lyrics still speaks to individuals searching for forgiveness, patience or mercy. Whether you’re a parent like me, a friend struggling to understand a wayward soul or reminiscing about brighter days, these words provide hope.

One day, a music director began to experience flash backs, like a scene from Back to the Future. However, in this case, God was reminding Asaph about Israel’s days in Egypt. Based upon the length of Psalm 78, this vivid vision brought understanding to 400 years of slavery. Upon reaching freedom, Israel became like a misguided child unable to break bad habits, falling prey to the same sins time after time. Despite their actions, God withheld his wrath, forgiving, time after time, Psalm 78:36-38.

Today, an unforgiving world, constantly reminding you of past transgressions makes it difficult to believe that an unseen Creator can actually wipe your slate clean. Despite how many times you’ve failed in life, the Lord demonstrates unconditional love, Psalm 103:11-12. In view of this truth, don’t let this opportunity slip away. Rather, practice James 5:16 daily so that like Cindi Lauper’s song, God will forgive time after time.

by Jay Mankus

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Posted in truth and tagged an unforgiving world, Back to the Future the movie, bad habits, believe, Billboard Top 100 Charts, Cindi Lauper, Creator, Egypt, experience, faliing from grace, forgiveness, freedom, God's forgiveness, hope, lyrics of Time after Time, mercy, misguided, music, music director, parenting, patience, prey, reminiscing, She's So Unusual, soul, struggling, temptation, Time After Time the song, transgressions, truth, unconditional love, vision, wrath. Bookmark the permalink.

Captivated or Captured?

Posted on July 2, 2014 by expressyourself4him

Growing up in the 1980’s, arcades, malls and skating rinks were places teenagers congregated for social interaction. Subsequently, I developed a soft spot in my heart for video games, longing to master the pattern for Pac-Man, flip Space Invaders from 999,999 back to zero on my Atari and complete every stage of Dragon’s Lair, one of the first games in 3D. Looking back, I wonder if I was merely captivated by this new form of entertainment or was I captured by the devil, 2 Corinthians 4:4?

Compromise doesn’t happen over night. Rather, the father of lies places subtle thoughts into your mind, hoping you will bite, James 1:13-15. For the first 14 years of my life, I was hooked, spending countless hours on my Atari seeking to enter the hall of fame for each game I owned, taking a picture with a polaroid camera of my score or time. However, with each accomplishment, excitement soon passed, creating a void in my heart that video games did not fulfill. Breaking this habit was difficult, needing assistance from a higher power.

By the middle of my sophomore year of high school, I was ready, captivated by a man in wheelchair, claiming to be a famous athlete. After receiving over 1,000 full scholarships in 4 different sports, a water skiing accident left Skip Wilkins paralyzed from the waist down. Despite his humbling disposition, there was something different about him. Whatever Skip had inside of him, I wanted. Thus, when an altar call was offered, I was one of the first to come down, captivated by a godly witness and now captured by a forgiving Savior, Romans 10:9-10.

by Jay Mankus

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Posted in truth and tagged a higher power, altar call, arcades, Atari, Breaking bad habit, Captivated, Captured, captured by the devil, compromise, dangers of temptation, disposition, Dragon's Lair, entertainment, excitement, father of lies, fishing, forgiving, godly, Hall of Fame, heart, hope, how to dedicate your life to God, humble, lies, malls, meeting places, mind, Pac-Man, paralyzed, polaroid camera, skating, Skip Wilkins, social interaction, Space Invaders, the pattern for Pac-Man, video games, void in my heart. Bookmark the permalink.

Guard Rails: Real Life Bumper Bowling

Posted on July 1, 2014 by expressyourself4him

Its not uncommon for youth to embrace their parents’ hobbies. A one time opportunity for me soon became a weekly obsession. While some of my peers were out partying on Friday night, I spent 3 years bowling, filling in as a sub for a league. Before the days of bumpers, there was nothing to keep loose shots from entering the gutter.

Outside of bowling lanes, Guard rails were designed to keep vehicles from straying into dangerous areas while driving. Unfortunately, not every street contains such a guide. On country, desolate or rural roads, poor counties can not afford, support or justify spending that much money. However, when someone dies in a car accident, their life is priceless.

From a spiritual perspective, the Bible is like bumpers, a guide to keep you from falling of course, Matthew 7:13-14. The life lessons, principles and truth inside of God’s Word serves as a light source, Psalm 119:105, to help you see down the road. Although invisible, conviction, gut feelings or promptings from the Holy Spirit, Galatians 5:25, can lead souls through the darkness in life. May the words of this book provide you with the direction you are searching for today.

by Jay Mankus

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Posted in truth and tagged bowling, bumpers, car accident, car accident deaths, conviction, dangerous, darkness, desolate, direction, embrace, falling of course, Guard rails, guide, gut feelings, gutter, hobbies, Holy Spirit, invisible, life lessons, obsession, opportunity, partying, priceless, principles, promptings, serves, souls, spiritual, straying off course, The Bible, truth, uncommon. Bookmark the permalink.

Afflictions Eclipsed by Glory

Posted on June 30, 2014 by expressyourself4him

Usually, I have a tendency to ask God, “why me” when troubles arise. Yet, as I was worshiping the Lord in song this morning, I received a brief reply. Like a snap shot or vision, my afflictions of the past and present occur so that these trials can be eclipsed by God’s glory.

The first major affliction I endured arrived on graduation day, when one of my best friends from high school was diagnosed with cancer. When her cancer went into remission 1 year later, I breathed a deep sigh of relief until it returned to take Maureen’s life abruptly. Without experiencing this hardship, I probably would have become a golf course architect, my concentration in college, instead of entering youth ministry.

My second malady was self inflicted, on a golf course while attempting to earn my players card to become a certified P.G.A. professional. I hit 26 out of 36 greens in regulation, 22 out of 28 fairways and played the hardest hole 1 under par through 2 rounds. Somewhere in the spiritual realm, strange acts of nature kept by ball from going in the hole, especially when I 3 and 4 putted the same hole, missing my card by 2 shots. Yet, this epic failure prompted me to become a high school Bible teacher for a decade.

Finally, losing my teaching position in 2012 was a tough blow to my confidence and ego. However, from the ashes of despair, God carried me until I was ready for my next assignment. As I start this new adventure on Tuesday with Amazon, I don’t know what the future holds. Nonetheless, whether, good, bad or indifferent, any afflictions I suffer will surely be eclipsed by God’s glory.

by Jay Mankus

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Posted in truth and tagged afflictions, Amazon, bad or indifferent, blaming God, cancer, confidence, coping with death, coping with trouble, despair, eclipsed, ego, enduring hardships, epic failures, God's glory, golf, golf course architect, good, malady, P.G.A. professiona, prompting, Questioning God, self inflicted, sing, snap shot, spiritual realm, strange acts of nature, suffer, tendency, The David Crowder Band, vision, Worship, youth ministry. Bookmark the permalink.

Why the World is Falling Apart

Posted on June 29, 2014 by expressyourself4him

Gone are the days of Wilbur Wilberforce, when politicians did the right thing without taking a poll, trying to get re-elected or win public approval. In an attempt to get ahead, integrity has been swept under the rug, trampled by greed, power and souls seeking victory whatever the cost. Lurking in the darkness, the reason for this decline lies in John 8:34.

Slavery, a grave reminder of the past, is alive and well inside the heart’s of human beings. Although mankind think they are in control, sin is large and in charge, holding individuals captive, Romans 7:14-20. Perhaps this truth led the apostle Paul, one of the godliest men to ever live to claim he was one of the greatest sinners ever, 1 Timothy 1:15. If you had to diagnosis why the world is falling apart, sin is a prime suspect.

Discipline, good intentions and self-control may appear to be full proof, but in the end its like fool’s gold. Subsequently, the grasp of sin prevents countless from doing the right thing, Romans 8:5-8, something Paul knew from personal experience. Until people acknowledge the reality of their soul, a sinner in desperate need of a Savior, John 3:3-5, the world will continue its downward spiral. May the Lord help put people back together, one soul at a time, Luke 15:7.

by Jay Mankus

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Posted in truth and tagged Amazing Grace, being born again, captive, claim, control, cost, darkness, decline, desperate, diagnosis, discipline, falling apart, good intentions, grasp of sin, greed, heart, integrity, past, politicians, power, reality, self-control, sin, slavery, souls, the Lord, trampled, truth, Victory, Wilbur Wilberforce, win. Bookmark the permalink.

So That’s Where It Comes From

Posted on June 28, 2014 by expressyourself4him

Adults have different styles of communication, producing a wide range of reactions, even within their own children. The authoritarian will claim, “this is the way its always been so there is no highway option.” Meanwhile the laissez faire, who are often soft spoken will allow flexibility, offering little resistance to correction. This broad spectrum of coaching, parenting and or teaching leaves a gap, with many blanks to fill in between to properly convey crucial information.

As I child, I remember hearing daily pleas such as “wash your hands, brush your teeth and think before you speak.” Maybe I was naive, but I never questioned or wondered why these things were so important. I simply assumed by father knew best so I tried my best to follow directions. While reading the Old Testament last week, I stumbled upon the source of my dad’s first command, Leviticus 15:11.

Before the invention of microscopes, God understood how germs spread. Thus, to combat this concern, the Lord told Moses to tell the Israelites to wash their hands after going to the bathroom or before eating. Although Obsessive Compulsive Disorder has influenced many to go to extremes, washing your hands is a simple way to remain healthy. As Paul Harvey says in his famous radio deliveries, “Now you know, the rest of the story!”

What commands do you recall from your childhood?

by Jay Mankus

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Posted in truth and tagged authoritarian, brush your teeth, children, coaching, combat, communication, concern, convey, correction, Father Knows Best, flexibility, follow directions, germs, invention, Israelites, laissez faire, microscopes, Moses, naive, obsessive compulsive disorder, Old Testament, parenting, Paul Harvey, questioning authority, radio, reactions, resistance, soft spoken, spectrum, stumble, styles of communication, teaching, the Lord, think before you speak, wash your hands, wonder. Bookmark the permalink.

Periods of Lull

Posted on June 27, 2014 by expressyourself4him

Unless you are a prophet or have a direct line to heaven, you won’t be able to foresee the swings, twists and turns life will take you on. Despite what you are currently experiencing, sooner or later you will come across periods of lull. Like the eye of a hurricane, a pause in the action will allow you to catch your breathe. This spiritual intermission serves as a hiatus, a time of reflection before the pace of life speeds up again.

According to Psalm 77:7, a period of lull enabled Asaph to return to his spiritual senses. Although the storm which just passed ruffled his feathers, Asaph did not forget the true nature of God. While the Lord’s favor might not have been obvious during the trial he endured, Asaph knew God’s promises to Israel. Therefore, despite feelings of doubt, a break through refreshed his soul, Psalm 77:10-15.

Since losing my teaching position back in 2012, periods of lull have kept me from drowning, creating a shallow end of the pool, allowing me to stand before the next flood approaches. As individuals begin to practice Psalm 46:10, setting time aside to take a break from the world, a spiritual rhythm develops. Whether its early in the morning or late at night, Mark 1:35 provides an ideal setting to reconnect with God. May you make the most of your periods of lull, Ephesians 5:16, seizing the moment to recharge your spiritual batteries.

by Jay Mankus

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Posted in truth and tagged action, breathe, catch, coping with storms, direct line, doubt, drowning, favor, floods, foresee, God's promises, heaven, hiatus, hurricane, intermission, periods of lull, prophet, reconnect with God, Reflection, refresh, rhythm, seizing the moment, senses, soul, swings, the nature of God, twists. Bookmark the permalink.

Taking Your Phone for a Walk…

Posted on June 26, 2014 by expressyourself4him

Huh? What a preposterous concept. That’s what I thought until I spent 2 hours on Main Street in Newark observing people. Call it a psychology experiment or an unusual way to pass time on a boring summer day, yet technology has altered the way individuals communicate.

Instead of bringing a plastic bag along with you to pick poop, dogs are being replaced with iphones and smartphones. Seeking immediate feedback, emails, texts and tweets are trending in the right direction, at least that’s what the masses think. Listening to downloaded music on their stylish new buds, many are so consumed by the devise attached to their hands and or ears that they oblivious to the world around them.

Since language barriers were first established in Babel, Genesis 11:5-8, there have always been periods of division, misunderstandings and silence. However, the evolution of cell phones has perverted social ethics. Disinterest, disrespect and ignorance is on the rise, reaching epidemic proportions. Thus, as blinded citizens continue to take their phones for a walk, its time for bystanders to help their neighbors break out of this spell, Galatians 3:1, until its too late.

What do you think about today’s cell phone manners?

by Jay Mankus

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Posted in truth and tagged cell phones, concept, coping with boredom, Delaware, Disinterest, disrespect, division, downloaded music, emails, epidemics, evolution, ignorance, immediate, iphones, language barriers, manners, misunderstandings, neighbors, Newark, observe, pervert, preposterous, psychology, psychology experiments, Silence, smartphones, social ethics, spells, summer day, technology, texts, trending, Tweets. Bookmark the permalink.

Vanishing Point

Posted on June 25, 2014 by expressyourself4him

In a world fueled by controversy, negativity and pessimism, its easy to lose sight of the positive. Affirmations, encouragement and uplifting words often vanish from memories, erased by daily criticism that wound hearts. This isn’t the only thing to recede, disappearing like the tide going out to sea.

Despite this harsh reality, there is one truth that never vanishes. According to Psalm 139:13-16, you were knit together in your mother’s womb. In fact, Jesus takes this one step further, reminding Nicodemus of God’s perfect plan. According to John 3:16, the expression “so loved” in the Greek refers to from vanishing point to vanishing point. In other words, before you were born and until your death, God’s love extends throughout time.

When idividuals become aware of this aspect of God’s nature, revival can begin. Unfortunately, an invisible enemy has blinded the minds of unbelievers, 2 Corinthians 4:4. All the while, believers are under a difficult kind of attack, pulled in different directions by the world, Galatians 5:16-18. If this wasn’t enough, the devil is busy stealing, killing and destroying souls. As the sun sets on another day, don’t allow your thoughts to forget the promises within God’s word, Joshua 1:8, from vanishing point to vanishing point.

by Jay Mankus

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Posted in truth and tagged Affirmations, attack, blinded, born, busy, controversy, Criticism, death, devil, disappearing, encouragement, extends, God's nature, God's perfect plan, Greek, harsh, heart, invisible, killing, lose sight, love, memories, minds, negativity, Nicodemus, pessimism, positive, promises, recede, revival, souls, stealing, uplifting words, vanish, vanishing point, wound hearts. Bookmark the permalink.

Chef: Minus the Bleeps… Its a Snapshot of the American Dream

Posted on June 24, 2014 by expressyourself4him

From 1999 to early 2002, I was a golf critic, writing travel reviews for upscale golf facilities from Florida to the Jersey Shore. During Major League Baseball’s Spring Training in Florida or on vacation with my family, I sought to lead visitors toward golf destinations which matched their income as well as enhance their stay. Beyond the course, I wanted to help people have a good time without going broke. In the process, I may have hurt the feelings of owners whose imperfections were exposed in the pieces I wrote.

Over the weekend, I had flashbacks to these days while watching the movie Chef with my oldest son James, a high school junior concentrating on Culinary Arts. Before agreeing to take him, I watched the trailer on you tube to see if it was worth my time and money. Concerned by the rating, I warned my son going in to expect some bad language. Instead, I felt like I was in the presence of a few co-workers over lunch, listening to one unedited bleep after the other. Unfortunately, this has become the norm in many cultures, an accurate depiction of how people think out loud without any filter.

For those who can withstand the urge to tune out early or cover their ears, the last hour of Chef is a snapshot of the American Dream. When a popular chef receives 2 stars by the most famous restaurant critic in America, his life is turned upside down. Feeling suffocated by a controlling owner, Chef Carl Casper (played by Jon Favreau) quits, confronts his critic and humbles himself by becoming a nanny until he gets back on his feet. If you’re not satisfied by the life you are currently living, watching Chef may prompt you to quit your job, do what you love and hopefully achieve the American Dream. This film provides a blueprint of how maximizing technology can generate business for future entrepreneurs. Minus the bleeps and beyond the laughter, Chef challenges individuals to re-examine who they are, where they excel and what job will provide for you the most joy in life, John 10:10.

Please share your thoughts on this film.

by Jay Mankus

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Posted in truth and tagged an accurate depiction, bad language, Chef Carl Casper, critic, Culinary Arts, do what you love, entrepreneurs, expose, Florida, going broke, golf, golf destinations, havng a good time, humble, imperfections, Jersey Shore, Jon Favreau, living the American Dream, love, Major League Baseball, maximizing technology, satisifaction, Spring Training, Spring Training in Florida, the movie Chef, time and money, upscale golf facilities, you tube. Bookmark the permalink.

ExpressYourself4Him

Author Archives: expressyourself4him

Time After Time… God Forgives

Guard Rails: Real Life Bumper Bowling

Afflictions Eclipsed by Glory

Why the World is Falling Apart

So That’s Where It Comes From

Periods of Lull

Vanishing Point

Chef: Minus the Bleeps… Its a Snapshot of the American Dream

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