Category Archives: Uncategorized

You Never Know What’s Going On Inside Someone

Posted on May 1, 2023 by expressyourself4him

As a former counselor, teacher and youth pastor, I have two decades of life experiences interacting with teenagers. While certain students wore their emotions on their sleeves, many were hard to read. Subsequently, if I had time to visit with other staff members in the teachers’ lounge, a few questions to the right person often opened my eyes and mind to what is really going on in this person’s life.

But for [a]Cain and his offering He had no respect or regard. So Cain was exceedingly angry and indignant, and he looked sad and depressed. 6 And the Lord said to Cain, Why are you angry? And why do you look sad and depressed and dejected? 7 If you do well, will you not be accepted? And if you do not do well, sin crouches at your door; its desire is for you, but you must master it, Genesis 4:5-7.

A perfect example is my friend Harry from college. Beside his foul mouth and immoral lifestyle, Harry provided comedic relief nearly every day at work. During a day trip to Cedar Point Amusement Park, my friend Eddy and I watched in awe as Harry ran into an old high school friend. Apparently, Harry went to a church youth group. Based upon his daily actions, Eddy and I assumed that Harry had never stepped inside of a church before.

Let no one say when he is tempted, I am tempted from God; for God is incapable of being tempted by [what is] evil and He Himself tempts no one. 14 But every person is tempted when he is drawn away, enticed and baited by his own evil desire (lust, passions). 15 Then the evil desire, when it has conceived, gives birth to sin, and sin, when it is fully matured, brings forth death, James 1:13-15.

This one encounter altered the course of Harry’s life. Over the next few weeks, Harry revealed that the person who led him to Jesus committed suicide and the one adult mentor he had committed adultery and left abruptly to pursue this new relationship. Most adults can’t handle this horrific chain of events, let alone a teenager. Like any prodigal, it takes time to get back on track spiritually. Nonetheless, unless you know what’s going on inside of someone, it’s hard to understand the why’s. If you’re patient enough, you too can unveil these layers, one by one to learn the reason why someone has become who they are for the good or bad.

by Jay Mankus

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Why Blessings are Bestowed by God

Posted on April 30, 2023 by expressyourself4him

I grew up confusing blessings with luck. When one of your best friends in high school is an Irish Catholic and was one of the luckiest people I ever met, I had a good reason to be misled. However, as my knowledge of the Bible has increased, I now understand why blessings are bestowed upon human beings by God. Moses points this out in Deuteronomy 28:1-3 as blessings are a direct byproduct of obedience to God.

But the [d]Angel of the Lord called to him from heaven and said, Abraham, Abraham! He answered, Here I am. 12 And He said, Do not lay your hand on the lad or do anything to him; for now I know that you fear and revere God, since you have not held back from Me or begrudged giving Me your son, your only son, Genesis 22:11-12.

Depending upon where you are spiritually when you read this blog, levels of faith tend to fluctuate. No matter how disciplined you may be, internal feelings play a factor in your degree of faith. Sometimes a bad stretch of circumstances, called tough luck, puts your back to the wall as faith is challenged unlike anything before in your life. In the case of Abraham, this propelled him to fear God, resulting in extreme obedience and blessings.

The Angel of the Lord called to Abraham from heaven a second time 16 And said, I have sworn by Myself, says the Lord, that since you have done this and have not withheld [from Me] or begrudged [giving Me] your son, your only son, 17 In blessing I will bless you and in multiplying I will multiply your descendants like the stars of the heavens and like the sand on the seashore. And your Seed (Heir) will possess the gate of His enemies, Genesis 22:15-17.

Jesus references this in the Lord’s Prayer, also known as the Our Father, Matthew 6:5-15. Jesus places a similar condition on forgiveness. As long as you forgive the trespasses and transgressions of others, God will forgive you. Meanwhile, the apostle Paul compares this to the Sowing Principle in Galatians 6:5-8. Subsequently, as individuals adhere, listen and apply God’s Word, blessings will be bestowed by God. Become a doer of God’s Word and you’ll be surprised by the final outcome.

by Jay Mankus

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The Crossover Connection Week 13: A Spiritual Alternative for Ozzy Osbourne Fans

Posted on April 29, 2023 by expressyourself4him

During my first semester of college, I remember students on the University of Delaware campus blasting the lyrics of the Blizzard of Ozz album. This was Ozzy Osbourne’s first album after his departure from Black Sabbath. Despite being nearly a decade old, there was something about the sound of this album that connected with students. A few years later, I stumbled upon the Last Train album by Holy Soldier. While no artist will ever duplicate Ozzy, Holy Soldier provides a spiritual alternative for Ozzy Osbourne fans.

For the fruit (the effect, the product) of the Light or [c]the Spirit [consists] in every form of kindly goodness, uprightness of heart, and trueness of life. 10 And try to learn [in your experience] what is pleasing to the Lord [let your lives be constant proofs of what is most acceptable to Him]. 11 Take no part in and have no fellowship with the fruitless deeds and enterprises of darkness, but instead [let your lives be so in contrast as to] [d]expose and reprove and convict them. 12 For it is a shame even to speak of or mention the things that [such people] practice in secret, Ephesians 5:9-12.

The one Holy Soldier song that comes close to the Blizzard of Ozz sound is Hallow’s Eve. Anyone who is a fan of heavy metal and hard rock will appreciate this tune. While there are other YouTube collections of greatest hits by Holy Soldier, I believe Last Train is by far their best collection of hits with Virtue or Vice, Crazy, Gimme Shelter and Hallow’s Eve. If the weather is bad this coming week, hopefully Ozzy fans will have time to listen to the attached You Tube to get a feel for Holy Soldier.

by Jay Mankus

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A Spiritual Foreshadowing

Posted on April 29, 2023 by expressyourself4him

Foreshadowing is a term my high school English teacher ingrained within my head. Whether our class was reading Canterbury Tales or Romeo and Juliet, she would always urge students to think about the foreshadowing of a scene. In the passage below, Moses points to the foreshadowing of Jesus, initially mentioned in Genesis 3:15 following original sin, Adam and Eve’s fall from grace in the Garden of Eden.

Then Abraham took the wood for the burnt offering and laid it on [the shoulders of] Isaac his son, and he took the fire (the firepot) in his own hand, and a knife; and the two of them went on together. 7 And Isaac said to Abraham, My father! And he said, Here I am, my son. [Isaac] said, See, here are the fire and the wood, but where is the lamb for the burnt sacrifice? – Genesis 22:6-7

As God puts Abraham’s faith to an unbelievable test, Bible scholars believe that the concept of a resurrection was conceived within Abraham’s mind. This is one of the few explanations that makes sense for a guy who had a tendency to rely on his own instincts rather than fully trust God. If this is true, Isaac’s hypothetical resurrection is a foreshadowing of Jesus coming back to life on Easter Sunday.

[Urged on] by faith Abraham, when he was called, obeyed and went forth to a place which he was destined to receive as an inheritance; and he went, although he did not know or trouble his mind about where he was to go. 9 [Prompted] by faith he dwelt as a temporary resident in the land which was designated in the promise [of God, though he was like a stranger] in a strange country, living in tents with Isaac and Jacob, fellow heirs with him of the same promise. 10 For he was [waiting expectantly and confidently] looking forward to the city which has fixed and firm foundations, whose Architect and Builder is God, Hebrews 11:8-10.

All Christian’s hope that their life will leave behind some sort of legacy, to inspire others to elevate and take their own faith to new heights. The author of Hebrews nominates Abraham for the Bible’s Hall of Faith in the passage above. God’s initial promise to Abraham while residing in the land of Uz is a foreshadowing of the birth of a great nation, Israel. However, even Abraham struggled to believe in this promise until Isaac was finally born. As you read and study the Bible, may the Holy Spirit open your eyes to other foreshadowing’s found in this book.

by Jay Mankus

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It’s Just That Simple: Pray for Your Enemies

Posted on April 28, 2023 by expressyourself4him

I consider myself to be a relatively laid back and mellow individual outside of work. However, there is a certain personality type which pushes me to my limits, on the verge of an emotional eruption. About a month ago, I was wrestling with inner demons, urging me just to let it all out on the table. Just before blowing a gasket, I happened to come across the passage below.

But I say to you who are listening now to Me: [[o]in order to heed, make it a practice to] love your enemies, treat well (do good to, act nobly toward) those who detest you and pursue you with hatred, 28 Invoke blessings upon and pray for the happiness of those who curse you, implore God’s blessing (favor) upon those who abuse you [who revile, reproach, disparage, and high-handedly misuse you], Luke 6:27-28.

I came face to face with the words of the apostle Paul in Romans 7:14-18. While I knew the way God wanted me to handle this situation, I was losing the battle for my soul, Galatians 5:16-17. As much as I hated to admit it, the Holy Spirit spoke to me in a whisper, “it’s just that simple: pray for your enemies.” Although I didn’t immediately apply this lesson, one week later I began to pray for this specific person.

You have heard that it was said, You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy; 44 But I tell you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, Matthew 5:43-44.

Despite being an adult, sometimes I just want to hide from certain people, avoiding them like Covid-19. Three weeks after I began praying, my first contact with this person in nearly a month was shocking. Rather than bearing the brunt of criticism, I heard the words of reflection, remorse and change. While part of me wanted to take some credit for this transformation, it was the Lord who brought me to a place where I could finally understand what it meant to pray for enemies and those who persecute you. It’s just that simple.

by Jay Mankus

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When God Hears the Voice of the Youth

Posted on April 27, 2023 by expressyourself4him

Children have always gotten a bad rap over the years. Whether it’s parents who look down to these future leaders today or Jesus’ disciples who paid more attention to adults in the New Testament, God hears the voice of the youth. Mark 10:13-16 highlights the type of person Jesus is, welcoming little children with open arms. Rather than someone who doesn’t want to be bothered, Jesus wanted to hear what these kids had to say.

When the water in the bottle was all gone, Hagar caused the youth to lie down under one of the shrubs.16 Then she went and sat down opposite him a good way off, about a bowshot, for she said, Let me not see the death of the lad. And as she sat down opposite him, [d]he lifted up his voice and wept and she raised her voice and wept, Genesis 21:15-16.

The inspiration behind this blog came from the featured passage above. Hagar was no longer welcome in Abraham’s house after Ishmael began taunting Isaac. As the heat of the desert took their toll on Hagar and Ishmael, his mom began to give up hope on life. At this moment of desperation, God steps in to rescue this single mom. Upon hearing the cries of Hagar’s weeping, Ishmael’s life is saved.

And God heard the voice of the youth, and the angel of God called to Hagar out of heaven and said to her, What troubles you, Hagar? Fear not, for God has heard the voice of the youth where he is. 18 Arise, raise up the youth and support him with your hand, for I intend to make him a great nation, Genesis 21:17-18.

Hagar’s cry for help is like God’s promise in Psalm 34:18 to heal the broken hearted and saved those crushed and depressed. Matthew 18:1-6 illustrates how special children are to God. Jesus warns any adult who sets a bad example or causes a child to sin. The fate of this motley crew isn’t pretty. The point of today’s blog is to remind readers that young people are precious in God’s eyes, hearing their voices when they cry out, praying for help.

by Jay Mankus

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A New Age of Fundamentalism

Posted on April 26, 2023 by expressyourself4him

The Christian fundamentalism movement in American Protestantism arose in the late 19th century in response to theological modernism. While theological modernism can be defined in multiple ways, take the 1960’s in the United States for an example. This decade was defined by sex, drugs and rock and roll. As church leaders struggled to address this issue in a biblical manner of love, Christian fundamentalists replied with fire and brimstone messages designed to scare the hell out of teenagers.

Now listen and give heed, O Israel, to the statutes and ordinances which I teach you, and do them, that you may live and go in and possess the land which the Lord, the God of your fathers, gives you. 2 You shall not add to the word which I command you, neither shall you diminish it, that you may keep the commandments of the Lord your God which I command you, Deuteronomy 4:1-2.

Whenever any belief, command and exhortation is forced down the throats of any society, resentment and rejection often follow. This brash response caused several to leave the church, inspiring others to go into education to spawn a New Age of Fundamentalism. Fifty years later, the tables have turned as now Christianity is no longer the dominant worldview in the United States. Syncretism, the blending of multiple worldviews have opened minds beyond what Adam and Eve experienced after the spiritual fall of mankind.

So Jesus said to those Jews who had believed in Him, If you abide in My word [hold fast to My teachings and live in accordance with them], you are truly My disciples. 32 And you will know the Truth, and the Truth will set you free, John 8:31-32.

Truth is now relative in this New Age of Fundamentalism. Ask a supreme court nominee how to define a woman and you won’t get an answer. Meanwhile, expert panelists on cable television believe that men can have periods and give birth to children. Environmentalism has surpassed and replaced Judeo-Christian values as the dominant religion, worshipping every aspect of mother earth. As liberals and progressives are elevated into political positions of power, anyone who does not share their same beliefs are bullied to confirm or else face the consequences. This is the unfortunate reality of a society controlled by social media. May God helps us all.

by Jay Mankus

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The Bible’s Version of All In

Posted on April 25, 2023 by expressyourself4him

As children grow up and mature, simple card games like Go Fish and War are replaced by more complex ones. I was introduced to Cribbage in high school, moved on to Hearts in college and graduated to Euchre and Spades in my twenties. However, it wasn’t until watching the World Series of Poker on television, Texas Hold’em style, that I truly understood going All In. When your chips deteriorate, and a decent hand is dealt, desperation forces many professional card players to go All In.

And Abraham said to his servants, Settle down and stay here with the donkey, and I and the young man will go yonder and worship and [a]come again to you. 6 Then Abraham took the wood for the burnt offering and laid it on [the shoulders of] Isaac his son, and he took the fire (the firepot) in his own hand, and a knife; and the two of them went on together. 7 And Isaac said to Abraham, My father! And he said, Here I am, my son. [Isaac] said, See, here are the fire and the wood, but where is the lamb for the burnt sacrifice? 8 Abraham said, My son, [b]God Himself will provide a lamb for the burnt offering. So the two went on together, Genesis 22:5-8.

The Bible has its own version of All In. Two analogies illustrate this point: driving a car and reading a newspaper. The driver of a vehicle knows where they want to go and how long it will take thanks to GPS. Going all in spiritually means handing the wheel over to Jesus, yielding complete control to God. Meanwhile, every paper has multiple sections that may bore, entertain or interest you. Yet, going all in requires Christians to live their lives as an open book to God, not hiding, holding back or tearing out any unpleasant page from your life.

When they came to the place of which God had told him, Abraham built an altar there; then he laid the wood in order and [c]bound Isaac his son and laid him on the altar on the wood. 10 And Abraham stretched forth his hand and took hold of the knife to slay his son. 11 But the [d]Angel of the Lord called to him from heaven and said, Abraham, Abraham! He answered, Here I am. 12 And He said, Do not lay your hand on the lad or do anything to him; for now I know that you fear and revere God, since you have not held back from Me or begrudged giving Me your son, your only son. 13 Then Abraham looked up and glanced around, and behold, behind him was a ram caught in a thicket by his horns. And Abraham went and took the ram and offered it up for a burnt offering and an ascending sacrifice instead of his son! – Genesis 22:9-13

When you study the life of Abraham, it took him a while for him to truly place his trust in God. I truly believe that asking Abraham to sacrifice Isaac, his promised child, forces him to go All In. Some scholars claim that Abraham came to the conclusion that somehow Isaac would be raised from the dead if he was fulfill to God’s calling. King Solomon chimes in on this topic, explaining the Bible’s version of All In, Proverbs 3:5-6. As you mature spiritually, don’t be afraid to join Abraham by placing your trust fully in the Lord.

by Jay Mankus

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Reaching a Level of Faith Without a Doubt

Posted on April 24, 2023 by expressyourself4him

If you have ever struggled with confidence in your life, what was once comfortable and easy brings doubt to your mind. If confidence is the feeling or belief that one can rely on someone or something, doubt is like a cancer that can deteriorate and erode your faith in God and yourself. The more doubt creeps into your mind, James 1:6, reaching your full potential in life becomes less likely.

Then Abraham took the wood for the burnt offering and laid it on [the shoulders of] Isaac his son, and he took the fire (the firepot) in his own hand, and a knife; and the two of them went on together. 7 And Isaac said to Abraham, My father! And he said, Here I am, my son. [Isaac] said, See, here are the fire and the wood, but where is the lamb for the burnt sacrifice? 8 Abraham said, My son, [b]God Himself will provide a lamb for the burnt offering. So the two went on together, Genesis 22:6-8.

According to one of Jesus’ disciples, 1 Peter 1:6-7, faith is tested through fire in the form of hardships, failures and trials in life. Jesus’ earthly brother suggests that this life cycle is necessary to develop and mature, James 1:2-4. Michael W. Smith sings about this in his hit song, Live and Learn. The lyrics provide a brief summary from the Garden of Eden to Paul’s confession in Romans 7:15-18.

When they came to the place of which God had told him, Abraham built an altar there; then he laid the wood in order and [c]bound Isaac his son and laid him on the altar on the wood. 10 And Abraham stretched forth his hand and took hold of the knife to slay his son. 11 But the [d]Angel of the Lord called to him from heaven and said, Abraham, Abraham! He answered, Here I am. 12 And He said, Do not lay your hand on the lad or do anything to him; for now I know that you fear and revere God, since you have not held back from Me or begrudged giving Me your son, your only son. 13 Then Abraham looked up and glanced around, and behold, behind him was a ram caught in a thicket by his horns. And Abraham went and took the ram and offered it up for a burnt offering and an ascending sacrifice instead of his son! – Genesis 22:9-13

Before you can reach a level of faith without a doubt, you have to learn from your past mistakes, 1 Corinthians 10:1-6. If you don’t learn from history, you’ll repeat the errors, mistakes and transgressions of your past. Overcoming addictions, bad habits and unwholesome cravings isn’t easy, Colossians 3:5-9. However, when God puts you into a difficult situation like Abraham, trusting God with all your heart, soul and mind opens the door to reaching a level of faith without a doubt.

by Jay Mankus

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How Obedience Endears Yourself to God

Posted on April 23, 2023 by expressyourself4him

As a former Catholic, I was taught that I could earn my way into heaven by following the Ten Commandments and participating in the Holy Sacraments. Whenever you learn something that Jesus addresses in Luke 18:18-30, the Bible corrects my misunderstanding. Since this account is mentioned by 3 of the 4 gospel authors, obedience are acts of faith that endear yourself to God, something a rich young ruler was unable to do.

But the [d]Angel of the Lord called to him from heaven and said, Abraham, Abraham! He answered, Here I am. 12 And He said, Do not lay your hand on the lad or do anything to him; for now I know that you fear and revere God, since you have not held back from Me or begrudged giving Me your son, your only son. 13 Then Abraham looked up and glanced around, and behold, behind him was a ram caught in a thicket by his horns. And Abraham went and took the ram and offered it up for a burnt offering and an ascending sacrifice instead of his son! 14 So Abraham called the name of that place The Lord Will Provide. And it is said to this day, On the mount of the Lord it will be provided, Genesis 22:11-14.

Moses highlights this concept in the passage above. Prior to Genesis 22, Abraham had a habit of trusting in his own instincts rather than placing his full assurance in God. Perhaps, this is what led God to ask Abraham to do the unthinkable, sacrifice his promised son Isaac. When an angel of the Lord intervenes just before Abraham was going to go through with this, this obedience to God’s call endeared himself to the Lord.

If you will listen diligently to the voice of the Lord your God, being watchful to do all His commandments which I command you this day, the Lord your God will set you high above all the nations of the earth. 2 And all these blessings shall come upon you and overtake you if you heed the voice of the Lord your God, Deuteronomy 28:1-2.

Prior to Moses’ farewell address as Israel’s spiritual leader, he spends a chapter highlighting why God blesses obedient acts. Like a child who honors their parents, this is accomplished by listening intently and following the rules set in your home. Obedience isn’t a feeling, something you do when you want to. Rather, obedience is a daily conscience decision to seek God first and His righteousness, Matthew 6:33-34.

by Jay Mankus

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