Author Archives: expressyourself4him

An interview with the 1976 decathlon gold medalist Bruce Jenner aired today on XM Radio, Channel 209.  Bruce Jenner was asked about the events which led him toward competing in the decathlon.  Jenner began contemplating the decathlon in 1970, 2 years prior to the 1972 Summer Olympics in Mexico City.  During the 1972 America Trials, Jenner was not even in the top 10 after 3 of the 10 events, yet he kept fighting to see where he would finish.

As the interview continued, Jenner discusses just how close he came to not making the 1972 Olympic Team.  With 4 events remaining, Jenner reached the top 10.  However, with just the 1500 meter race remaining, Jenner was in 5th place.  To make the team, he had to beat the runner in 3rd place by 18 seconds.  During this race, Jenner talked about digging down deep into his soul.  In this time of desperation, Jenner found a gear he never knew he had, besting his career time by 8 seconds, beating the person in 3rd place by 21 seconds to qualify for the third and final spot.

In the 1972 decathlon, Bruce Jenner finished 10th overall.  However, it was during the gold medal ceremony which spurred Jenner to reach another level.  Observing from a distance, a thought came to Jenner, ” what if I dedicate the next 4 years of my life to the decathlon?”  This moment sparkled a fire in Jenner’s heart which burned all the way to the medal stand in Montreal, Canada.

As listened to this interview on my way home from the beach, I was inspired to carry on with the rest of my life.  All I need is a vision like Jenner.  Once I receive this vision, I will need to put in the hard work, sweat and tears to make this a reality.  As for now, I will be eagerly listening to discern what’s next for me and my family.

by Jay Mankus

This evening I received an email I had been waiting for since March.  Before opening it, I said one final prayer hoping for the best.  However, as I found out, only 360 of over 7000 scripts were selected to continue in this screen writers contest.  Unfortunately, my movie was not chosen, like a shot in the dark, my current dream has hit another road block.

I feel like the Israelites in Ezekiel 37.  The prophet describes Israel’s spiritual state using the phrase dry bones.  I am in need of the breath of God, the Holy Spirit, to breathe on me like Ezekiel 37:9-10.  While known as the Holy Ghost in the King James Version, the Holy Spirit is the invisible force, a mighty counselor left behind by Jesus.  Therefore, despite the darkness which surrounds me, the Holy Spirit is ever present.

However, right now God is silent or I just can’t hear the direction of His calling.  Trials come and trials go, with lessons learned and humility served.  Where to go or where to stay is like a jigsaw puzzle fresh out of its box.  As for now its hard to say, but someday soon I’ll find my way.  When the lights go off for this day, a shot in the dark is all I can say until the morning light leads me with a ray of hope.

by Jay Mankus

From age 5 to 17, my family made an annual trek to Maine, spending a few weeks there each August.  While we lived in New Jersey the first couple of years, most of our family vacations began in Delaware, a 9 hour trip by car from Wilmington to Lake Thompson in Maine.  As an impatient child, I asked my parents every hour or so, “are we there yet?”

I can’t image being in a chariot, riding on the back of a donkey or walking from Egypt to the promised land.  The Exodus out of Egypt was suppose to be a relatively short journey, 2-3 weeks on foot.  However, a little complaining here, disobedience there and a whole lot of faithlessness turned a joyful journey into a real life nightmare.  Not 1, not 2, not 3, but it took Israel 40 years to finally arrive to their cherished destination.  I don’t know for sure, but many children likely shared a similar question in Hebrew, “are we there yet?”

I have been asking this same question to God since January, once I found out I would be losing my job at the end of the first semester.  I can’t fathom the agony the children of Israel experienced on their way to Jericho.  At the same time, the emotional toll the last 7 months has taken on my body, mind and spirit has been draining.  I can’t much much more uncertainty.  As I cry out to the Lord, “I am there yet,” my prayer is that God will reply, “not much longer, only a little while to go!”

by Jay Mankus

Last night I had a flashback to the sitcom Different Strokes.  During almost every episode Gary Coleman would respond to his older brother in a classic tone, with the same facial expression and the words, “What you talking about Willis?”  As I was reading a chapter on words, this chapter had such a profound impact on me that I could picture Gary Coleman saying his famous punchline.  However, I was speaking to God, trying to figure out why its taken me so long to discover the biblical truths from James 3.

The chapter which got my attention was called The Voice, chapter 8 of Dutch Sheets’ book Authority in Prayer.  Prior to discussing James 3, Sheets does an exegesis of Job 6:25, “How forcible are right words!”  Job uses the Hebrew word morat, meaning to press.  The context of this passage is referring to a king pressing his seal of authority onto a decree, an official edict made by the king.  To finalize his decision, a king will press his signet ring onto this decree making this the law of the land.

When you visualize this passage and begin to examine James 3 in this light, words become more powerful.  This is why James declares that with one positive word people can be blessed and with one harsh word people can be cursed.  Its no wonder that James gives the imagery of a forest fire, triggered by just one word.  Therefore, the next time you get angry, frustrated or tempted to spit fire at someone, think about James’ words in chapter 3.  If you fail to adhere to this message, someone will likely respond to you just like Gary Coleman, “what’s you talking about Willis?”

by Jay Mankus