Author Archives: expressyourself4him

Ordinary People; Desperate Times

Posted on November 2, 2012 by expressyourself4him

Still of Timothy Hutton and Mary Tyler Moore in Ordinary People

The 1980 film Ordinary People starred Mary Tyler Moore, Donald Sutherland and Judd Hirsch.   This film which won 4 Oscars, highlighted the breakdown of an upper class family when the accidental death of the oldest son creates a wide communication divide.  While our culture, music and style has changed, ordinary people continue to struggle to build a loving, stable and  supportive home for children to live.

If this wasn’t enough, men, women and recent college graduates are fighting to find employment which can pay their bills or keep them afloat until a higher paying job opens up.  From my own experience over the last 9 months, words like loyalty, pensions and savings accounts are becoming extinct for many.  When hundreds of people show up to an employment center and wait in line for 7 hours for an interview, you know we are living in desperate times.

Despite the nature of our current economy, Jesus has left Matthew 6:25-34 for such a time as this to restore hope to Americans and the world.  As most people are daily focusing on their external problems, God is at work internally, providing for birds, flowers and grass, Matthew 6:25-30.  Therefore, do not let worry suck the life out of you!  Rather, make seeking God and His righteousness your main priority.  Though, we are all ordinary people living in desperate times, there is an extraordinary God who has prepared in advance good works for you to do so that your needs will be met, Ephesians 2:10.

by Jay Mankus

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A Mother’s Prayer

Posted on November 1, 2012 by expressyourself4him


Several years ago I attended the funeral of one of my former students.  She was popular, athletic, yet quiet so I never knew what if any impact I had on her life as a Bible teacher.  Unfortunately, when you have 30 students in a class, its hard to get to know individuals well and follow the set curriculum.

Anyway, there was a public viewing before the ceremony, full of former classmates, current students and teachers.  The line zig-zagged back and forth several times before you reached the chapel area.  This room was filled with instrumental music, tears and sighs.  I almost gave up after standing in line for 2 hours, but I am thankful I remained.

As I approached her mother, I reminded her who I was, especially with the masses who already paid their last respects to her daughter.  When I reached to embrace her with a hug to keep the line going, she whispered the following words into my ear.  “I pray that the words from the Bible you shared with her class were etched upon her heart!”

While I stood in line selfishly thinking about myself, this woman of God was ministering to each person who greeted her family.  Not sure of her daughter’s eternal future, this woman held fast to the teaching Nikki received from me.  I was blown away by this responsibility which I often took for granted.  From that day on, until my last day teaching, I was radically transformed by a mother’s prayer.

by Jay Mankus

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Hitting the Reset Button

Posted on October 31, 2012 by expressyourself4him

     When the sun arose along the Atlantic Coast this morning, the landscape has been transformed by the wind and waves of Hurricane Sandy.  Piers like the caption above have disappeared into a few mangled pieces of debris scattered across sand dunes, at least what’s left of them.  Meanwhile, home owners, local businesses and nearby residents are left to pick up the pieces of their properties, trying to salvage as many things as possible.  In a sense, these families affected will be hitting the reset button today, forced to start over from scratch.
     Every month or so, my old laptop will freeze.  Sometimes, I will walk away for a few minutes and return to a normal screen.  Unfortunately, most of the time, I am forced to hit ctrl, alt delete.  While I may lose what I was working on, at least I have the option of hitting the reset button, to reboot my computer.  Although not life threatening, for a writer, computer failures are more of an annoyance than anything else.
     In the early first century, Jewish leaders struggled to grasp the message Jesus communicated daily.  One night, one of the Pharisees, secretly met with Jesus, afraid of what his peers might think.  During their conversation, John 3:1-21, Nicodemus asks a few questions to comprehend Jesus’ mindset.  Sarcastic at first, Nicodemus leaves Jesus dumbfounded.  However, the words of John 3:16-17 stuck with Nicodemus.  Based upon the accounts of John 7:50-52 and John 19:38-42, Nicodemus hit the reset button in his mind, becoming born again, John 3:5.
     According to Matthew 6:19-24, despite the material possessions and wealth people accumulate, these things will pass.  Storms will erode our homes, possessions will decay overtime and life will run out.  Therefore, before its too late, don’t miss out on your chance to hit the reset button on your life spiritually, Acts 8:30-38.  The one whom Jesus loved leaves you with the promise of eternal security, 1 John 5:13.  Follow the words of Jesus in Matthew 6:20-21, reboot your mind spiritually and you will off to a good start!
by Jay Mankus

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Did God Really Say vs. It Is Written

Posted on October 30, 2012 by expressyourself4him

Until God gave Moses the 10 Commandments in Exodus 20, any command, decree or law was passed on by word of mouth from generation to generation.  In the book of Genesis, God spoke directly to people like Adam, Noah, Abraham, Jacob and Joseph informing each of His will and plan for their life.  Therefore, when a serpent began to speak with Eve in the garden of Eden, she knew the boundaries God established in Genesis 2:16-17.  Thus, the battle between did God really say and it is written began.

Using the same main strategy of deception that worked in the garden, Satan meets his toughest opponent in a desert east of the Jordan River, Matthew 4:1.  Jesus prepares for this battle for the masses with 40 days of prayer and fasting, enabling Him to be spiritually in tune with God the Father.  Hungry but not weak of mind, Jesus reminds Satan of his rules violation at the beginning of this conflict, Matthew 4:4.  Not deterred, Satan pushes on with plan B.

Conforming to his challenger’s playbook, Satan quotes the Bible hoping to place Jesus into a corner, forcing Him to act.  Alert and confident in the Spirit’s leading, Jesus squashes Satan’s efforts by correcting the words of scripture taken out of context, Matthew 4:7.  In one last desperate move, Satan offers Jesus the authority Adam lost in the Garden of Eden, a consequence of original sin.  Cool as a cucumber, Jesus knocks Satan out of the arena with a jab using the right scriptural response, Matthew 4:10.

Unfortunately, this battle rages on today in public education, on college campuses and in the liberal media.  Satan has persuaded historians to rewrite the events of this battle, confusing the minds of countless, convincing the uninformed that Did God really say has won.  If you want to set the record straight, you must test everything, 1 Thessalonians 5:21-22, cling to what is good and boldly proclaim it is written as the victor, Acts 4:29.

by Jay Mankus

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Stupid Is As Stupid Does

Posted on October 29, 2012 by expressyourself4him

When a mother gives birth to a child, their baby becomes an extension of them.  Thus, in the fictional story of Forrest Gump, his mother does everything in her power to protect Forrest.  Mrs. Gump uses analogies, stories and words of wisdom to prepare Forrest for life’s trials.  Therefore, as Forrest is ridiculed in the movie for his low IQ, he responds with nuggets like “stupid is as stupid does” or “life is like a box of chocolates, you never know what you are going to get.”

During Jesus’ ministry on earth, he was a masterful story teller, using parables to clearly communicate God’s message to people.  In John 10:14-18, Jesus refers to himself as a shepherd.  This is quite astonishing since sheep as considered one of the dumbest animals on earth.  If one sheep falls off a cliff to their death, the one right behind it would meet the same fate unless their shepherd intervenes.  Forrest was right, “stupid is as stupid does!”

While every new mother initially thinks their child is perfect, the truth of the matter is everyone born is imperfect, Romans 3:9-10.  In fact, human beings often resemble lost sheep, wandering alone in a desert of isolation, separated from God, Luke 15:3-4.  However, sheep can process words, specifically the voice of their shepherd.  Likewise, a true believer is able to discern the voice of Jesus.  Although Christians can act stupidly, Romans 7:19, they have a great shepherd who can rescue them from their earthly bodies, Romans 7:24-25.  Lean on God’s mercy as you try to walk with God daily, Ephesians 2:8-10.

by Jay Mankus

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Deeply Rooted

Posted on October 28, 2012 by expressyourself4him

As I was preparing my backyard for Hurricane Sandy’s arrival, I noticed something unusual.  One of the remains of a tomato plant was nearly 9 feet tall from the roots to the top stem.  When I tried to take the whole plant out of my garden, a large portion of the soil came with it.  The success of this plant was clear, it was deeply rooted into rich soil.

According to the apostle Paul, the same principle holds true with Christianity.  The moment you enter into a relationship with Jesus, God wants you to continue to stay connected, rooted and built up in the power and promises of God’s Word, Colossians 2:6-7.  Developing a strong spiritual root system prevents you from being taken captive by hollow and deceptive philosophies in our world.

Over the past month, God has been teaching me about my mind, especially how fragile it is, susceptible to the devil’s schemes, Ephesians 6:11.  Our minds are like sponges, absorbing lyrics to songs, pictures to movies and emotional connections to everything we experience.  In a sense, God has created our minds to be like a living DVR.  If my tomato plant clung to its soil, then our mind is going to crave the content attached to our natural surroundings.  Therefore, if you truly desire to seek God, Matthew 6:33-34, you must heed the words of Colossians 2:13-15, preparing the ground for a vibrant spiritual harvest.  Stay connected to the vine, who is Christ, as you prove yourself through your fruits to be a true disciple of Christ, John 15:8.

by Jay Mankus

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Breaking Down

Posted on October 27, 2012 by expressyourself4him

Arden McMath and Meghan Vogel

As homecoming festivities commence on high school and college campuses across the country, I was reminded of a nightmarish event this morning.  During my sophomore year of high school, I gathered up enough courage to ask one of my cross country teammates to our upcoming Homecoming Dance.  However, there was a problem, I didn’t know how to dance and I wasn’t old enough to drive.  Since I really liked her, I didn’t have the foresight to consider any of the obstacles until I received an answer.

Unfortunately, I received 3 different answers over a 4 day period.  I felt like a ping pong, still up in the air, but ready to be hit back and forth.  I went from a maybe to a I’ll meet you there to a gut wrenching “I’m going with someone else from school.”  Running 8 miles for practice is hard enough, yet when you add this devastating news to my mind, I became emotionally unstable.  After running 5 miles along the Brandywine River, with my thoughts racing back and forth, I finally crashed in the form of an anxiety attack.

This emotional breakdown, while frustrating at the time, was a turning point in my life.  Up to this moment, I was trusting in myself.  Although I owned a Bible, I never used it unless I was in church listening to a priest read from the Old and New Testament.  A few weeks following this incident, I finally accepted an invite to attend a Fellowship of Christian Athlete’s Bible Study, rejecting offers for the first 15 months of high school.  Then, on December 3rd, 1983, I publicly professed my faith in Christ, Romans 10:9-10 at another FCA event.  God used this rejection and preceding breakdown to lead me toward heaven’s door, Revelation 3:20.  If you are having one of those days, remember that the storms of life strengthen you, helping you to become mature and complete as a person, James 1:2-4.

by Jay Mankus

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College: The Modern Day Garden of Eden

Posted on October 26, 2012 by expressyourself4him

Most students spend their first 18 years raised by a parent, guardian or in the best case scenario, by both parents.  While they may not be written down, students are taught a set of expectations, morals and values to follow as long as they live in their parents’ home.  As each matures at their own pace, students develop their own worldview which they take with them to college.

Once students enter their college dorm or apartment, they have freewill to behave as they wish, go to class or not, party or study and choose the friends that most reflect their worldview.  Unfortunately, Adam and Eve’s decision to disobey God in the Garden of Eden, Genesis 3, has led humanity down the same path of deception.  Except the apple has been replaced by sex, mood altering drugs, unrestrained fun and material possessions as modern day trees of knowledge.

When students attend class, they face a modern day serpent.  Atheist, Marxist and Socialist professors are challenging the worldviews students bring to college.  Often, these professors single out Christians or assault the Bible and God’s character and nature.  This is done by following the serpent’s strategy in Genesis 3:5.  “Did God really say?  Does the Bible really say?  Or God is holding you back, not wanting you to know both good and evil!”

This is when students have to know how to use the Sword of the Spirit to fight back, Hebrews 4:12.  According to Genesis 3:7, Adam was right there with Eve, listening to the serpent’s deception, failing to demonstrate any leadership to intercede on her behalf, Romans 5:12-14.  Therefore, as you enter college or are already attending, make sure you surround yourself with at least one godly person.  “As iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another, Proverbs 27:17.”  Stay together, stand firm, meditate on God’s word and prayer for divine intervention and protection, Ecclesiastes 4:12.

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Playing Hurt

Posted on October 25, 2012 by expressyourself4him

Jordan

By this time in the NFL season, no player is feeling 100 percent.  Every one is banged up, bruised or nicked on some part of their body.  Or maybe you feel like Michael Jordan during the NBA finals against the Utah Jazz, despite having the flu, he suited up and eventually hit the game winning shot.  If you are not an athlete, sometimes when you are under the weather, you have to play hurt, going to work anyway.

Sickness : Monochromatic image of a young handsome hispanic man worried or having a headache isolated on black Stock Photo

I have spent the last 3 hours laying in bed with a high fever.  Part of me wanted to bag today’s blog, yet the athletic in me wouldn’t let me.  According to Colossians 3:23, whatever you do, you should work at it with all your heart as working for the Lord.  Although illnesses come and go, sometimes in life you have to will yourself through a day, project or a difficult trial.  With the Lord’s help, all things are possible, Philippians 4:13.

As I was finishing up my last project today at work, I nearly passed out.  While the weather was a little warmer than usual, my body was telling me that I had nothing left to give.  There weren’t any cameras around nor did to I have Scottie Pippen to hold me up.  Rather, the Lord raised me up on wings like eagles, Isaiah 40:31, helping to me finish a day playing hurt.

by Jay Mankus

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From Crutches to the Swimming Pool And Back

Posted on October 24, 2012 by expressyourself4him

Unfortunately, it often takes an accident, mishap and or a trip to the emergency room to appreciate a healthy functioning body.  During my junior year of high school, I spent 3 months on crutches.  I went from running cross country to hobbling up and down the hallway, trying not to be late for class.  Attempting to do almost any normal activity was a chore, taking twice as much time and leading me to feel helpless.

Empty swimming pool with lane markers Stock Photo - 3906411

In this state of despair, swim season arrived.  Once my stitches were removed following surgery, I convinced my doctor to allow me to begin rehab by swimming.  Although I had to take my crutches into the pool area, I felt freedom inside the water.  While I could not use the starting blocks or do a flip turn with both legs for a few weeks, swimming for those 2 hours, 5 days a weeks, brought a sense of normalcy back into my life.  In a Hollywood ending, the Lord enabled my 200 Individual Medley Relay to earn a bronze medal, placing 3rd at the state meet held at the University of Delaware.

Broken_foot : human foot ankel and leg xray picture
Like most human beings, I quickly took for granted the blessing of being 100 % healthy.  Four years later, I broke my foot playing sand volleyball just before the beginning of my senior year of college.  Instead of walking up and down hallways, I had to walk a mile on average with crutches, back and forth between each of my classes spread out throughout Newark’s campus.  To add insult to injury, the 5K run I was co-race director for, 5K for Missions, was short course volunteers.  Thus, I was forced to stand in the rain, with a plastic bag over my cast, leaning on soggy crutches until every runner was accounted for.  Therefore, if you ever go from crutches to the swimming pool and back, remember the words of David.  “My soul will boast in the Lord; let the afflicted hear and rejoice,” Psalm 34:2.
by Jay Mankus

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