Author Archives: expressyourself4him

Making Sense of Death

Posted on February 29, 2012 by expressyourself4him

For the third time in my life, I have witnessed 3 young students see their lives cut short by cancer.  The first student was one of my best friends in high school, Maureen, who was diagnosed the day before graduation.  Maureen was one of the most encouraging people I have ever met in life, yet to my knowledge never had a personal relationship with Jesus Christ.  After several years of wrestling with God for answers, Maureen’s death served as a catalyst for me to follow a calling into youth ministry.

The second student was one of my high school students at Red Lion who was diagnosed with cancer during the fall of her senior year.  Kaylyn, like Maureen was a wonderful person.  Though quiet in class, Kaylyn was a spiritual warrior, a motivational leader to her classmates.  Most of the student body prayed for a Lazarus like miracle, but God had a different plan.  Thousands of people packed Red Lion’s gymnasium, celebrating Kaylyn’s entrance into heaven.  Through Kaylyn’s testimony displayed during her battle with cancer, by dying she was used by God to lead many to Christ.

This final death is the most difficult one to comprehend.  Joseph Feeley went to be home with the Lord early Monday morning.  Although Joseph is no longer in pain, thousands of people in 19 different nations are beginning the grieving process.  Joseph was an amazing athletic with pro potential in baseball and in golf as a long drive champion.  I played golf with Joseph a week or so before being diagnosed with cancer.  Joseph flew a ball 380 yards in the air, plugging into the fairway.  Joseph also holds the state record for 8th graders, running a 18:30 for 5K.

As great as an athletic Joseph was, he was even a more committed believer.  I had the honor and privilege to see Joseph’s faith blossom in my Biblical Leadership class.  The 17 other students who were blessed by Joseph’s presence will have rich memories to cling to during this tough time.  As for now, all we can do is cry out to God like Habakkuk in 1:2, waiting on the Lord to make sense of yet another death.

by Jay Mankus

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Where it all Began

Posted on February 28, 2012 by expressyourself4him

When you ask people where did the church begin, some will say Antioch.  It was here where the term Christian was first coined due to the believers of this city who emulated the life of Christ and his teachings.  Others will say the church began after Pentecost, specifically in Acts 2:42-47, where Luke, the author of Acts, describes the blue print for the first century church.  Meanwhile, many will suggest the church began with Peter and the 12 disciples, relying on Jesus’ own words in Matthew 16:17-18.  However, after a rhema today, a word of knowledge from God, the church began in Acts 1:14.

Most historians of the first 3 centuries of the church, believe the Gospel of Luke and Acts are one continuous book .  Both are addressed to the same patron, Theophilus, whom was likely responsible for copying and distributing Luke and Acts once they were complete by Luke.  Since the gospel of Luke never mentions the great commission of Jesus, the only synoptic gospel not to mention this vital event, Acts mentions this right away in 1:8.  Except for Luke 24:50-53, the last few verses of Luke, there is a natural progression between Luke’s gospel and Acts.  This leads me to where the first church members are mentioned in Acts 1:14-15.

Luke suggests that there were approximately 120 core believers immediately following Jesus’ ascension into heaven.  The 11 disciples are obvious, followed by Mary the mother of Jesus along with his earthly brothers and the women whom discovered the empty tomb in Luke 24:22-23.  Luke 24:24 suggests companions of the disciples, Luke 10:1 suggests 72 others who were appointed by the Lord and John 19:38-39 suggests Pharisees like Nicodemus and Joseph of Arimathea had become followers of Jesus.  If you add spouses of these men, you begin to get close to 120 people.

The first century church began with the 11 remaining disciples, coming together regularly to pray, joining other followers of Jesus as a corporate body of believers.  According to Acts 1, there were 2 main items on their prayer agenda, raising up a new disciple to replace Judas Iscariot and receiving the power of the Holy Spirit.  Like the parable of the persistent widow, Luke 18:1-8, these men and women continue praying until God answered their prayers.  Pentecost, beginning in Acts 2:1, was not a fluke, happening by a random act of choice.  No!  Pentecost occurred, just like the first and second great awakenings, God’s people came together every day to pray as a corporate body in a concert of united prayer.  This is where it all began, by never giving up and claiming words like Matthew 15:25-28 in prayer.

by Jay Mankus

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Doing the Right Thing

Posted on February 27, 2012 by expressyourself4him

As the morality of our society continues its downward spiral, acts of kindness and people of integrity are becoming like endangered species.  A lack of role models in our culture and on television have influenced this generation to do what’s right in their own eyes.  Since doing the right thing is not regularly practiced in public, envy, jealousy and revenge is often demonstrated as a substitute.

King David, after the death of his dear friend Jonathon, sets a standard that all of us should follow.  In 2 Samuel 9:1-13, David takes responsibility for one of Jonathon’s living descendants, Mephibosheth.  Crippled in both feet, Mephibosheth was a special needs child without modern amenities.  David’s relationship with Jonathon inspired him to do the right thing, treating Mephibosheth like royalty in 2 Samuel 9:13, taking him in as his very own son.

The apostle Paul, in his letter to the church of Galatia, summarizes what he believes to be, the most important act for a Christian.  “The only thing that counts is faith expressing itself in love,” Galatians 5:6.   In an age of diminishing decency, it is important to remember the words of one of Jesus’ disciples.  Peter said something profound in 1 Peter 3:15, “when you share your faith, do it with gentleness and respect.”  Whether you agree or disagree with other people, Christian’s must put aside their differences, practice humility and begin doing the right thing by demonstrating the love of Christ daily.

by Jay Mankus

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Wrestling with the Unknown

Posted on February 26, 2012 by expressyourself4him

Ephesians 6:12 contains a Greek wrestling match known as a pale.  This is the only place in scripture where this word appears.  Like most wrestling matches, the goal is to throw your opponent.  Victory is determined when a wrestler is able to hold his opponent down with his hand upon their neck.  The winner is haled while the loser has both of his eyes gouged out.

The context of this passage is at the beginning of Ephesians 6:12, “For our struggle is not against flesh and blood.”  The actual verse means our pale is not against flesh and blood, meaning our wresting opponent is not human beings, those we interact with on a daily basis.  Rather, our opponent is 4 fold: 2 groups we can see and 2 groups we can sense.

Our spiritual wrestling match begins with rulers of the world Satan uses to accomplish his will.  The second opponent is with existing authorities which attempt to strip away the spiritual freedoms of Christians.  This second group of opponents involve spiritual discernment and prayer to counter attack these forces.  The first unseen opponent are powers of darkness in our world and the second are spiritual forces of evil, demons.

Every day, there is a new wrestling match.  Satan’s goal is to blind us from the real battle, to throw us off the spiritual scent.  This is often accomplished by causing us to get angry, become bitter or hold grudges against other human beings.  Be careful not to be deceived, test everything and hold fast to God’s Word.  When you are wrestling with the unknown, walk by faith, not by sight!

by Jay Mankus


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Walking in the Wilderness

Posted on February 25, 2012 by expressyourself4him

After crossing the Red Sea, the Israelites were eyewitness to one of the most amazing yet horrifying events in all of history.  As the Egyptian army was engulfed by the sea in Exodus 14, one might think Israel’s faith would never waver for the rest of their earthly lives.  However, a trip to the promised land which should have taken a few weeks on foot, ended up lasting 40 years.

At the beginning of 2012, I felt like the Israelites, being an eyewitness to several miracles in my 10 years of Christian Education as an Upper School Bible teacher.  While not perfect, I believed God was using my gifts and talents in the ideal place, according to His will.  One and a half days into this new year, waves of change engulfed me, flipping my world upside down.  Although, I survived this tidal wave of being let go, I have been dazed, mangled and left gasping for air.

For those who know me, I hate getting lost, especially when I receive bad directions from someone who doesn’t have a clue to where I need to go.  In Matthew 7:13-14, Jesus uses the imagery of 2 roads, one which is clear, paved and heavily traveled whereas the other is barren, not always marked and hard to follow at times.  Its hard to argue with the crowd walking on the road to self gratification, but I can’t forget what I have seen on this less traveled road.

As I have spent nearly one month now unemployed, I am entering new ground, a territory I am not familiar with nor do I long to remain.  Walking in the Wilderness without a map isn’t fun.  Nonetheless, somewhere along this road, you have to put aside what you think you know by putting your trust in the only One who knows your future.  Jesus went into the wilderness to prepare Himself for God’s earthly ministry.  My prayer is that I experience this wilderness period, I will walk into my next job as a changed man.

by Jay Mankus

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Picking Up The Pieces

Posted on February 24, 2012 by expressyourself4him

Bad news is like hearing a freight train off in the distance, often there a subtle signs that your world is about to be knocked off its foundation.  Phone calls that awake you from a peaceful night’s sleep, face to face conversations which suddenly turn in an awkward direction or simply a gut feeling which strikes your soul with a heavy burden.  When your house is built upon the sand, Luke 6:46-49, all you can do is pick up the pieces of your life and begin to start over.

When trials bombard your life, James 1:2, denial and isolation often serve as a buffer to protect your broken heart.  Over time, anger follows as reality and pain re-emerges from deep inside your soul.  Once anger fades from the scene, the “If I only” thoughts enter your mind as you try to relive the past, hoping for a different outcome.  As bargaining with God ceases, sadness and depression consume your every moment, like a spell you are unable to break.  Finally, there is only one thing left, to accept the reality, bad things happen to good people.

As I struggle to make sense of my own unemployment and financial woes this morning, I was reminded of Lamentation 3.  The first 19 verses are filled with crushing events, heartbreak, pain and sadness.  However, verse 20 serves as a transition between bad news and hope.  Verses 21-26 are a sign that as the proverbial dust settles, the Lord is ever present.  The next time you feel like your life is falling apart or the walls around you are about to cave in, remember God’s promise in Psalm 34:18, “The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and heals those who are crushed in spirit.”  On your own, its impossible to pick up all the pieces of your life, yet with God all things are possible, Matthew 19:26.

by Jay Mankus

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Silence: Ash Wednesday Reflection

Posted on February 23, 2012 by expressyourself4him

On the cutting edge of societal evolution, one thing is rarely heard, the sound of silence.  Even teachers panic when silence fills the classroom, often breaking it with the sound of their own voice.  Meanwhile, cell phones, ipods, blackberries and text messaging are all just one click away, drowning out the sound of silence.  Unfortunately, reflecting on the days events, mediating on God’s Word and listening for the voice of God in prayer seem so distant today.

An example of this can be found in the meaning of names for cities in the Bible.  The city of Rehobeth means place of rest.  However, traveling on Route 1 in Rehobeth, Delaware creates stress, not rest.  There are a few examples in the Bible which can help us slow down, to think and get in touch with God.  David needed to go to a cave in 1 Samuel 22.  Samuel needed the guidance of Eli to discern God’s voice in 1 Samuel 2.  Elijah needed a break from the action of life in 1 Kings 19:12-13.  Lastly, Jesus needed to go into the wilderness, Matthew 4:1-11, to prepare for his earthly ministry.

Following the indulgences of Mardi Gras, comes Ash Wednesday, a day to ponder Job’s words, “from dust I entered into the world and to dust I will return.”  Every once in a while, we all need a break.  To retreat from the world every so often to refocus our priorities is refreshing and re-energizes our spiritual lives.  Practicing Psalm 46:10 can and will help put our lives into its proper perspective.  In a distant place, like Mark 1:35-39, we will find the sound of silence.  It is in this place, in the stillness of the moment, where we will meet God!

by Jay Mankus

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Turning Up The Heat

Posted on February 22, 2012 by expressyourself4him

There are many metaphors to express the point you are trying to make in life.  In 2 Corinthians 4:7-9, the apostle Paul compares human bodies with jars of clay.  Unlike rich soils, clay is gooey, filled with various imperfections.  However, clay is unique in the sense you can mold it and fashion it into a special image.  Although, without fire your new creation will dry out, eventually breaking into bits and pieces.

Kilns were invented so that your new creations could last a lifetime, unless dropped or not taken care of properly.  If you desire a bisque firing, the kiln is set to 1750 degrees Fahrenheit for 18 hours.  If you want something like pottery glazed, the kiln is turned up to2300 degrees for 18 hours as well.  While the fire in a kiln does not eliminate all of clay’s imperfections, it does refine most of the clay particles causing defects to simply disappear.

If Paul is right about our bodies, then God is our Potter and we are the clay.  Each and every day God is slowly shaping and forming us into His very own image.  Once we reach certain stages in our lives, God turns us the heat, in the form of temptations, trials and tribulations.  If we fail, breaking up in the kilns of life, God starts over with a new lump of clay.  If we succeed, we will be ready for the next phase in life, our next assignment from God.  Regardless of where each of us are on our artistic journey, don’t be surprised the next time God turns up the heat.  Fire is necessary to burn off excess baggage, to test our faith and to reveal how genuine we really are, 1 Peter 1:5-7.

by Jay Mankus

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Broken Wings

Posted on February 21, 2012 by expressyourself4him

In life, sometimes we fall, other times we crash and at times we burn ourselves out.  For me, today was one of those days, battered, beaten and bruised by the unexpected jabs life threw my way.  Like an injured bird unable to fly, I didn’t get very far with my broken wings.

Isaiah 40:31 is a famous passage of the Bible quoted in several movies like Remember the Titans, yet verses 27-30 often get neglected.  The context of this passage talks about Israel, God’s chosen people, complaining that God’s way is hidden from them.  God sends the prophet Isaiah to remind Israel of God’s promises.

God understands that we will become tired, weak, weary and stumble and fall along the way.  However, just as a caterpillar undergoes a chrysalis to become a butterfly, Christian’s must die to self before they can be transformed, finding new life in Christ, Matthew 16:25.  Only then, can we exchange our broken wings for God’s wings like eagles.  My prayer is that God will help you this day to soar above any fall, crash or burn out you experience.  For nothing is impossible with God, Luke 1:37!

by Jay Mankus

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President’s Day Facts: Never Give Up

Posted on February 20, 2012 by expressyourself4him

As media outlets create their latest History Day special to air today, most if not all will forget spiritual leaders whom established America as a Christian nation.  While revisionist historians continue to eliminate Christ and his devoted followers faith from most modern textbooks, facts reveal a different story.  Francis Scott Key was instrumental in establishing Sunday School in local churches.  Noah Webster, created a dictionary to help people better understand the meaning of the Bible with many of the original definitions having a biblical reference.  The founding fathers, well, all they did was create the America Tract Society, to publish religious pamphlets to help people better understand biblical principles.  George Washington, our first president, played a key role in forming this organization.

However, my favorite History Day fact comes from the life of Abraham Lincoln.  The media overemphasizes Lincoln losing his first 6 elections, yet fails to mention his faith which pushed him to never give up.  Today, most people give up on the first, second or third try.  What if Michael Jordan had quit after getting cut from his first basketball team?  What if the Wright brothers decided to stop pursuing airplanes, not happy with their progress?  What Abraham Lincoln taught us is that life is full of failures.  Success is not determined by our failures, but how we respond to and learn from our mistakes.

After the Civil War, America was in financial ruin.  Lincoln’s faith inspired him to call for 4 different national fasts.  Like king Josiah in 2 Kings 22:13, Abraham Lincoln inquired on the Lord.   Leading by example Abraham abstained from food, praying to God, asking for His help and blessings.  This final fast, 1867, resulted in the purchase of Alaska and an eventual surplus for 2 decades.  On this President’s Day, don’t get distracted by commercialism and all the sales, learn from Lincoln to never give up, keep fighting until life’s last breath so that you can hear God say, “Well done, my good and faithful servant,” Matthew 25:21.

by Jay Mankus

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