Author Archives: expressyourself4him

Making Sense of the Pantheistic Worldview

Posted on September 23, 2012 by expressyourself4him

Pantheists believe that all of reality is God.  Often when you hear about pantheists in the media or read about unusual behavior online, you make an assumption that these people are crazy.  While their worldview is skewed, their actions are all inspired by a mindset to save nature from mankind.

Activists at the University of California at Berkley lived in trees for weeks so that the new athletic center on campus would not be built.  Farmers in California lost their jobs because of fish and frogs in a nearby stream were considered endangered species.  The eco-terrorist group, Earth Liberation Front, known simply as ELF, burn down new construction sites, blow up car dealerships and commit other devious acts in the name of pantheism.

What the pantheist worldview is lacking is an understanding of the one true God, Yahweh.  God is transcendent as creator of the heavens and earth and sustainer of all living things.  Due to the Age of Enlightenment,  countless people have been blinded by the god of this age, 2 Corinthians 4:4.  Like Nicodemus in John 3, people stuck in this mindset must become born again, John 3:3-6.  Pray for the power of the Holy Spirit to tear down the obstacles which are preventing Pantheists from becoming born again.

by Jay Mankus

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Trusting God In The Dark

Posted on September 22, 2012 by expressyourself4him

Amber Tamblyn plays Joan Giradi, a high school junior developing an intimate relationship with God in the show Joan of Arcadia. However, there is a slight problem; Joan is afraid to tell anyone. In the finale of season 1, Joan musters up the courage to tell her boyfriend Adam after being diagnosed with Lyme Disease.

Unfortunately, Adam thinks she has been hallucinating, a common symptom for someone in her condition. After talking with her parents in the hospital, Joan begins to think her conversations with God were just a dream. Struggling to come to grips with her diagnosis, Joan is forced to trust God in The Silence, the title of episode 23.

I too contracted Lyme Disease about 12 years ago, the worst I have ever felt before receiving drugs to deaden the pain. Like Joan, I am also learning to trust God in the silence of not knowing where or when I will begin my next full time job. As darkness sets on another day, I am praying that someday soon God will open a new door, give me vision for the future or send me someone with wisdom to pierce through the darkness I am experiencing.

As for now, all I can muster up are the words from Isaiah 6:8. “Here I am Lord, send me” hope as a light to guide me along the narrow path. Or perhaps some popcorn to remind me been there done that! I know there is light at the end of this tunnel, but I hope I am not in the wrong tunnel.

By Jay Mankus

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Spiritually Weeding Out Evil

Posted on September 21, 2012 by expressyourself4him

As an avid gardener, I enjoy picking tomatoes and peppers from my backyard so I can make my special blends of salsa once a week.  After allowing weeds to overrun my garden areas, yesterday I spent a couple of hours ridding the soil from these harmful species.  Since I took several days in the early spring preparing the soil to insure a successful crop, this round of weeding was a breeze compared to a typically year.

In the process of weeding, a passage from Matthew immediately came to mind.  Although most biblical scholars often shy away from commentating on Matthew 12:43-45, I am going to use the context of Matthew 13 to share my heart felt belief.  After a short comment about what it means to be part of God’s family in Matthew 12:46-50, Jesus tells back to back parables on soils and weeds at the beginning of chapter 13.

Soil often symbolizes environments, where we live and whom we allow to enter our lives.  Weeds are like the obstacles that we face in life, things that we can’t control, but we must not allow them to take root, Ephesians 4:27.  If Satan is indeed the ruler of the air, Ephesians 2:2, then evil can attack us in the form of our own flesh, through worldly influences or supernaturally.  Therefore, if you want to be sober, habits, idea, and thoughts must be taken captive, 2 Corinthians 10:3-5.  This daily practice is like spiritual weeding out evil, to protect yourself from demons which roam throughout earth, Job 1:6-7 and Matthew 12:43-45.

by Jay Mankus

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In the Furnace

Posted on September 20, 2012 by expressyourself4him

Today, most cultures are kinder and gentler than previous civilizations.  Except for a few primitive and extreme cultures, gone are the days of public hangings and gas chambers for people who break the law.  In the days of King Nebuchadnezzar, if you didn’t strictly adhere to his commands, you were killed in the furnace.

King Neby made a decree in Daniel 3 which went against the 10 commandments God gave Moses in Exodus 20.  Instead of bowing to an idol to please the king, Shadrech, Meshach and Abendnego refused to compromise their Jewish beliefs.  After being exposed by some astrologers, of all people, these 3 were given one more chance before being ushered off to the furnace.  Holding to their principles, these young men were willing to die rather than deny their God.

While in the furnace, the king notices something unusual, a fourth person inside, Daniel 3:24-25.  According to king Neby, this other person looked like Jesus, the son of God.  In the end, the king gives the word to turn off the furnace, open the door and praise these 3 servants of the most high God.  Unfortunately, Shadrech, Meshach and Abendnego had to endure the furnace so that the king of Babylon could be introduced to the one true God.

According to Daniel 3:27, no one was harmed by the flames, divinely protected by the Lord.  Although I have not been thrown into a furnace, I feel as if my 9 month long trial has left me toasted, charred and well done.  I am not sure if Shadrech, Meshach and Abendnego saw Jesus or talked to Him while in the fire.  Yet, I need to trust God that while my own faith is being refined, Jesus is with me unto the very end, 1 Peter 1:6-7.  For anyone else in a trial, let a mustard seed size of faith keep you calm until the fire is turned off!

by Jay Mankus

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The Disguise

Posted on September 19, 2012 by expressyourself4him

As Halloween stores prepare to provide costumes to people of all ages, hearts are disguised with good intentions.  Innocence is broken by curiosity, compromise or a lack of knowledge about the hidden darkness within this national celebration.  According to the apostle Paul in 2 Corinthians 11:13-15, Satan masquerades as an angel of light making what is wrong seem right.

When I was a kid, I loved Halloween for the candy, walking several miles each night until my pillow sack was completely filled or too heavy to carry anymore.  The protocol after I returned home was to lay out each piece of candy I received for my parents to inspect them.  Any piece that appeared to be tampered with was thrown away before I could eat my favorite chocolates.

Now that I am an adult, I have been exposed to the evil present in our world.  I have met practicing witches, had college roommates interact with a warlord during a mission trip and seen evil forces destroy godly men and women.  If Satan is the ruler of the air until Jesus returns, Ephesians 2:2, people should no longer be surprised by evil.  Therefore, uncover the disguise of evil through reading the Bible, praying and by following the James 4:7-8 principle.

by Jay Mankus

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Facts of Life

Posted on September 18, 2012 by expressyourself4him

If you tuned in to relive the classic sitcom The Facts of Life, I’m sorry for disappointing you.  Facts of Life refers to a new journaling style I adopted today.  Each day I will be creating a list of facts about life that I learn from scripture and the book I am reading, The Spiritual Warfare Handbook by Dr. Ed Murphy.

Today, the greatest fact which stuck out as I read is “Religion represents one of the most dangerous areas of human life.”  When you consider suicide bombers willing to blow themselves up to obtain 70 virgins in heaven, this fact comes to life.  Or gay rights groups willing to verbally crucify the owner of Chick-fila for simply stating a truth from the Bible reveals a harsh reality.  In the name of one’s god, each act is done in obedience to their religious calling.

The movie Chariots of Fire, based on the true of Eric Liddle, illustrates one man’s call to his religion that led him to leave the sports world as an Olympic Champion for the Missionary Fields in China.  Unlike suicide bombers or gay rights activists who seek media attention, Eric Liddle lived the rest of his life in obscurity, dying in China as a true servant of the Lord.  In your quest to follow your religion, be sure that you test everything, 1 Thessalonians 5:21-22, so that you do not die in vain!

by Jay Mankus

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Refueling Station

Posted on September 17, 2012 by expressyourself4him

Like a jet plane, tank or jeep, once the fuel gauge warning comes on, blinks on and off or starts beeping, this is your signal that its time to refuel.  If you ignore this sign, you might crash and burn, get stuck in a desert or have to take the long walk of shame to the nearest gas station.  From a spiritual perspective, there is another fueling station which you can access by faith through God’s grace. Ephesians 2:8.

The first feature of this refueling station is worship.  According to the Psalms, God created us to worship Him, Psalm 150:6  When you enter into God’s courts with thanksgiving in your heart, a spiritual influx of energy enters your body, Psalm 100:4.  This portion of the station takes you to a new level, as your spiritual gauge rises toward full.

The internal portion of this refueling station is like a convenience store full of spiritual products.  The first item on the shelf is peace, surrounded by quietness, seclusion and rest.  In the drink section, there is living water, the Logos, quenching the thirst of all who drink.  Finally, surrounding the station is fasting and prayer, the spiritual powerade to refuel your body daily.  However, without a balanced diet of each byproduct, your engine will sputter.  Therefore, don’t just wait until Sunday to refuel, come to the river of life daily, Revelation 22:1.

by Jay Mankus

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The Spiritual Infection

Posted on September 16, 2012 by expressyourself4him

In their 2012 album, 12 Stones sing about the infection which exists in our world in their song Infected.  According to Saint Augustine. this infection began as a result of the fall of mankind depicted in Genesis 3.  Like a fatal disease, this spiritual infection has worsened with each generation.

God created man to live forever on earth, Genesis 3:3.  Unfortunately, the consequence of original sin initiated this spiritual infection into the flesh of Adam and Eve, Genesis 3:16-19.  Though their lives lasted over 900 years, internally this infection was apparent.  Their first child Cain, killed their second child, Abel due to a spirit of envy and jealousy which consumed Cain until he finally murdered his brother.

As I try to do the right thing daily, this infection attacks me like the apostle Paul describes in Galatians 5:15-18.  While this infection is terminal to our flesh, there is a spiritual cure.  Like a surgeon performing surgery, people must crucify their sinful nature with its passions and desires, Galatians 2:20.  Although doing this does not secure us a worry free life, it does open the door to secure your eternal destiny, 1 John 5:13.  Jesus is the remedy to this spiritual infection, like a chewable tablet of truth found in Colossians 3:15-17.

by Jay Mankus

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Relationships

Posted on September 15, 2012 by expressyourself4him

For the past 8 months, I have spent most of my time thinking about me instead of others.  In my quest to secure full time employment, I neglected valued relationships.  Over the past 48 hours, I have made a conscious effort to invest time reaching out to others.

The term relationship refers to an association, connections, an affiliation, bond and link that you develop with people as you nurture the rapport that you have with them.  From a spiritual perspective, the same principal applies, time is an indicator to your degree of intimacy.  Whether you need to go to a quiet room, secluded area like Jesus in Mark 1:35 or a cave like David in 1 Samuel 22:1-2, an undivided attention spent praying and reading scripture mends your heart in one accord with the Lord.

The key to any relationship is making yourself available like Jesus in John 3, being approachable for Nicodemus to come and talk with late at night.  However, relationship require a lot of tenderness, love and prayer to keep the enemy, the devil, from driving a wedge between you, Ephesians 4:27.  Therefore, even when you watch NFL football, play games or have a bonfire, invite those you love to come back into your life!

by Jay Mankus

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Setting Yourself Up for Disappointment

Posted on September 14, 2012 by expressyourself4him

According to the apostle Paul in Romans 7:14-19, the things you don’t want to do are what you often find yourself practicing.  Whenever you put your hope or faith in things of the world, disappointment usually follows.  Whether it is cheering for your favorite sports team, pouring your heart and soul into a relationship or trusting someone you believe to be godly, don’t be surprised when you set yourself for disappointment.

One of the first things Jesus warned his followers about is found in his Sermon on the Mount, Matthew 6:19-24.  If you place your value and worth in earthly treasures, emptiness will leave your heart void of life.  On the other hand, if your invest your time on earth chasing after heavenly treasures, your heart will be satisfied.  Like Moses said so eloquently in his final address to Israel, the choice is yours, Deuteronomy  30:15-18.

In the frantic rush to find new full time employment, I have missed out on storing up heavenly treasures.  Instead, my life has been like an endless waves crashing upon the beach only to be dragged out to sea again by the ever changing tides.  If you want to avoid setting yourself up for disappointment, heed Paul’s advice in Colossians 3:1-4.  Set your mind on things above so that you can rise above the disappointments that you experience on earth!

by Jay Mankus

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