Author Archives: expressyourself4him

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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Understanding the Times

Posted on September 13, 2012 by expressyourself4him

Realists will say you can’t really know for certain.  Pagans will say eat, drink and indulge yourself while there is still time.  As I look around at the events of this past year, we need people like the days of Issachar in the Old Testament who understood the times.

If you follow talk tadio, listen to the nightly news or tune into cable news shows, opinions vary.  Some have said we are just going through a rough patch, others reply were are on the verge of becoming the next Greece and the disillusioned proclaim, “things are improving!”  In my mind, this 2012 election will determine the worldview our country will reflect for future generations.

The one thing people can do is follow the footsteps of Nehemiah.  He wept upon hearing the desperation of his country, Israel, Nehemiah 1:3-4.  This led Nehemiah to fast and pray for a solution.  After 3 months, God revealed the answer in the form of a vision to rebuild the walls surrounding Jerusalem.  Therefore, as this next election approaches, fast and pray for America so that you can understand the times we are living or follow the direction God is calling you!

by Jay Mankus

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9.11

Posted on September 12, 2012 by expressyourself4him

Eleven years ago today, I was a successful independent contractor making close to $40,000 per year.  My wife and I were home schooling our first child tag team style; I took the mornings and she spent time with him each afternoon.  Life appeared to be going great until early Tuesday morning.

After receiving a package from UPS, I was informed to turn on my television.  As I spent the next hour glued to the aftermath, worked called to tell me not to come in.  Since I had a contract with a bank across the street from the Liberty Bell, the entire block was shut down.  Every site I visited daily closed their doors by noon, leaving me time to ponder what  on earth just happened.  While over 2,000 people lost their lives, I lost several contracts overnight leading me to pursue a career in teaching.

The Sunday after 9/11/01 inspired many people to seek God.  More Americans attended church on September 16th, 2001 than any other day in the history of our country.  Each Sunday since, church attendance has gradually declined.  Does America need another 9/11 to wake them up again?  I am afraid America is suffering from complacency like the Laodiceans in Revelation 3:14-18.  God continues to knock on the door of our hearts, Revelation 3:19-20, yet you and I must let Jesus in.  The choice is yours.

By Jay Mankus

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Recreate

Posted on September 11, 2012 by expressyourself4him

After failing in my first attempt to become a screen writer, I have mustered enough confidence to risk rejection again by entering another contest.  However, before I press send, I must recreate Express Yourself.  Like Nicodemus during his famous conversation in John 3, this script must be born again.

If you are a confident person, you likely don’t have to worry about asking people what they think.  Because in your mind, you are correct.  Although, if what you have been doing is unsuccessful or you hit a rough patch in life, you need to gather as much information as possible.  Once you feel you have uncovered the missing ingredient or ingredients, you can take baby steps back toward your desired destination.  During this process, sometimes you can work too hard, not taking care of your own needs, Philippians 2:4.

In the drama Joan of Arcadia, season 1, God calls Joan to throw a party at her house while her parents are away celebrating their anniversary.  Entitled Recreation, this episode examines the term recreation; meaning to recreate your soul, usually through things that bring you pleasure.  In the end, God uses the party to call the cops to Joan’s house, who are saved from an explosion which would have killed them if Joan had not had her party.  When God recreates our souls, He does things that we often don’t see right away or ever see.  Nonetheless, we need to be faithful to God’s Word by becoming born again, spiritually, so that the old will pass as the new shines through, Colossians 3:1-4!

by Jay Mankus

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Road Trip

Posted on September 10, 2012 by expressyourself4him

A road trip during the first century has a different meaning than it does today.  Road trips did not include watching movies on the built in DVD player in your vehicle.  Nor did a road trip consist of spending time playing plug in plays, Ipod touches or DS game systems.  In the days of Jesus, road trips did not have air conditions.  Rather, road trips were people investing their time traveling by foot, walking from place to place up and down unpaved roads.

Back in the beginning of 1993, I left Delaware for the mid-west to pursue a calling in youth ministry.  During a going away party on New Year’s Eve 1992, Delaware was in the middle of an Indian Summer, call it a heat wave, with temperatures reaching the 60’s and 70’s daily.  Shortly after the ball dropped, a small group of us began taking our own little road trip, lasting well over 2 hours, covering several miles into the wee hours of the morning.  Our walk began in shorts, about 60 degrees at the start.  A few hours later, the temperature dropped 30 degrees, causing us to shiver and huddle together to stay warm.  Just like the movie RV, walks can be some of the most memorable road trips you will ever take on earth, bringing people closer than they have ever been before.

Although I ran cross country competitively for 4 years, the hundreds of miles I have spent walking with friends have been some of the best conversations  I have ever been apart of.  For example, I spent one evening walking 15 miles with a college friend who become the best man in my wedding and I returned the favor in his wedding a few years later.  Another conversation on a mission trip turned out to be several hours of confessing secret sins to one another, dark scars from each of our pasts which served as a source of healing and forgiveness.  Finally, I once took a walk around the entire city of Neenah, Wisconsin with my girl friend, Leanne, who is now my wife.  God put it on my heart to share everything I had ever done so that they would be no surprises in our marriage.

While you may never experience anything like the disciples did on their Walk to Emmaus in Luke 24:13-35, Jesus can appear today in the form of the Holt Spirit, John 14:15-18.  Road trips don’t have to cost money filling up your car or planning a long list of what to do.  Instead, road trips can happen every day in your neighborhood as you begin to take that first step to see what the Spirit has in store, Galatians 5:25.

by Jay Mankus

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Footbaal

Posted on September 9, 2012 by expressyourself4him

Today, millions of people will be sitting down in front of their television to watch week 1 of the National Football League.  At the same time, hundreds of thousands of sports fans will be skipping church so that they can tailgate before entering one of 13 football stadiums scattered across the United States of America.  Meanwhile, tens of millions of anxious cell phones, computers and televisions with the NFL Network Package from Direct TV will be constantly flicking, refreshing and scanned to see if they win their first fantasy football game which will end well past midnight into Tuesday morning on the East Coast.

So I have a question: is there anything unusual or wrong with this?  I was introduced to the term footbaal while attending a Monday night Bible study in Cleveland, Ohio during my college internship in golf course design and maintenance.  This study lasted from 7:00-8:30 pm, with the leader often seeing impatience in the eyes of many men once 8:30 approached.  Thus, the term footbaal was coined, used nearly early week in our closing prayer as many rushed to their cars to make it home in time for the 9:00 pm kickoff, Eastern Standard Time.

As I read the 10 commandments in Exodus 20, the first 2 stick out like a sore thumb.  Beginning in verse 3 thru 4, “you shall have no other gods before me.  You shall not make yourself an idol in the form of anything in heaven above or on the earth beneath or in the waters below.”  Since everything covers everything, my former Bible study leader was correct in his description of the term footbaal.  If this is true, now what?

For the past 12 years, I have been one of those people tuned into see if I won my fantasy game.  Back when I had savings, I would lay down some coin to attend an Eagles game each year, sometimes even 2 games.  However, with the truth right in front of me, its hard not to throw it all away and begin again.  Peter’s advice in 1 Peter 2:11-12 is to live in the world, but not of the world.  I am not sure what I am going to do, yet to start with I have to abstain from those things which are warring against my soul.  Be careful today as you watch footbaal or you too may be breaking the first and second commandments.

by Jay Mankus

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How about them Apples?

Posted on September 8, 2012 by expressyourself4him

A classic line from the movie Good Will Hunting starring Matt Damon and Robin Williams.  While this title has nothing to do with today’s blog, the scene featuring the words, “how about them apples” refers  to taking chances, risking embarrassment to achieve a desired result or destination.  The story line of this movie is a juvenile, bouncing around several homes as an orphan, eventually realizing an amazing talent as a math genius.  Will, played by Matt Damon, gets a job as a janitor at M.I.T. so he can begin to activate this gift.

One of the college professors at M.I.T. places a problem on a white board outside his classroom, Applied Mathematics.  When Will finishes the problem during one of his shifts, the professor is dumbfounded that no one in his class completed it.  Will’s girlfriend asks him why he loves organic chemistry as they enjoy a meal together.  Not sure how to explain his gift, Will uses an analogy like a great musician, “I’m not sure how, but when it comes to math, I can just play.”

I believe each person is blessed with an unique gift, 1 Corinthians 12:4-7.  Some have yet to discover this gift, others are not sure how to apply it and there are those like Will, who are afraid to use their gift initially.  Although math is not my gift, I can relate to Will’s analogy in his explanation of his special gift.  My gift is writing; it flows out of me, from my soul, through my mind and onto a piece of paper or computer screen naturally.  God has unveiled another world through the power of the Holy Spirit which oozes ideas out of me daily.

My dilemma is how can writing provide for the needs of me and my family.  What arena, avenue or resource do I need to unleash this gift?  I have poems, short stories, a musical, games, songs and 2 movies, yet I need the Lord’s help to open one or more of these doors.  So now I need to find that job like Will, which places me into direct access with the right people who can help me realize my full potential.  Go and do likewise!

by Jay Mankus

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Fighting Through Adversity

Posted on September 7, 2012 by expressyourself4him

Sometimes things don’t go your way.  Call it bad luck, a series of tough breaks or a lingering period of heart ache.  Yet, life goes on with or without you.  Therefore, when you experience an extended trial, you must find the strength to fight through adversity.

According to Hebrews 12, a great cloud of witnesses, whom fought the good fight, 1 Timothy 6:12, have left a legacy to follow.  Each one faced different battles, but endured by throwing off the distractions, hindrances and temptations in life, Hebrews 12:1-2.  Faith was the road map that these spiritual warriors left behind, Hebrews 11:1-6, to help us fight through adversity.

As bad as I think the last 8 months have been, I still have so much more than billions of people living in third world nations.  While the economy is unstable, the American Dream is a possibility with the Lord’s help, Luke 1:37.  Just as Israel thought their suffering would never end during their captivity, Lamentations 3:43-54, prayer helped the Jews fight through adversity.  When they thought they would be cut off,  the Lord arrived on the scene, Lamentations 3:55-57.

In your own daily grind, remember God’s words, “do not fear!”  If you’ve been knocked down by life’s curve balls, dust yourself off and get back up.  As for me, I’m still standing!

by Jay Mankus

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Help Me Shine

Posted on September 6, 2012 by expressyourself4him

During my first semester of teaching in 1993, I kept a journal of what I felt the Lord was teaching me.  After a few weeks of reflection, I began to write a series of songs which eventually led to the creation of my first and only album, A Simple Confession.  Today, while I was singing a few songs in my head, a new song filled my mind entitled, Help Me Shine.

Below are the lyrics of this song.  I hope to make a U-Tube once I finalize the melody.

I’ve lost my way

I can’t explain

Things just aren’t going that well

My future seems bleak

As my hope is fading

I need something to happen today

Chorus:

You shine, like a blazing star above us

Lighting up your path for me to find

You shine, healing and restoring

Opening up the eyes of the blind; help me shine

I see a storm approaching

As dark clouds encompass me

I guess another trial is in store for my family

I am tired and I am broken

From these devastating winds

Another obstacle which has brought me to my knees

Chorus:

You shine, like a blazing star above us

Lighting up your path for me to find

You shine, healing and restoring

Opening up the eyes of the blind; help me shine

Refrain:

The light deep inside is getting dangerously dim

I need God’s grace to lift me above the pit of sin

My vision’s blurred by a cloud of uncertainty

Lord infuse my soul with a spiritual awakening

Chorus:

You shine, like a blazing star above us

Lighting up your path for me to find

You shine, healing and restoring

Opening up the eyes of the blind; help me shine

(c) Jay Mankus, 2012

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Take the Plunge

Posted on September 5, 2012 by expressyourself4him

Commercials have always been entertaining, even in the 80’s.  The one I remember the most growing up was trying to sell Nestle Ice Tea.  Their slogan was take the plunge, into a swimming pool of ice tea, to cool off from the summer heat.

From a spiritual perspective, the heat is on every day, but this attack is unseen by the human eye.  According to Ephesians 6:16, the evil one, Satan, is regularly shooting flaming arrows.  To protect yourself from these flames, you need the shield of faith.  Therefore, take the plunge with a leap of faith that the Lord will keep you safe and secure.

The older I get, the less I like to take chances.  Instead, I have been going through the motions of life, missing out on adventures God has in store for me.  Like the Big Tent Revival song, Letting Go, I recognize that I need to follow the lyrics, to let go of control and place my wholehearted trust in the Lord.  Like the commercial I saw over and over again as a child, its time to take the plunge!

by Jay Mankus

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