Category Archives: Uncategorized

S.A.N.S. Episode 352: Caroline

While a first century doctor features a story about a prodigal son, this doesn’t mean that prodigal daughters didn’t exist in the first century. Jesus spent time ministering to a woman at a well in John 4. After a slight back and forth in their conversation, Jesus reveals that this woman has been in a series of sexual relationships and the man she is currently with is not her husband as well. When this discussion ended, a spiritual hungry was left within this woman’s heart.

And He said, There was a certain man who had two sons; 12 And the younger of them said to his father, Father, give me the part of the property that falls [to me]. And he divided the estate between them. 13 And not many days after that, the younger son gathered up all that he had and journeyed into a distant country, and there he wasted his fortune in reckless and loose [from restraint] living. 14 And when he had spent all he had, a [g]mighty famine came upon that country, and he began to fall behind and be in want, Luke 15:11-14.

Seventh Day Slumber sings about a similar topic in their song Caroline. While it’s unclear if the song writer is referring to a friend or relative, but Caroline appears to be someone’s prodigal daughter. Due to unknown circumstances, Caroline has taken a break from God and is living life under her own terms. May the lyrics of Caroline inspire you to reach out to fellow Christians who have gone astray and have yet to come back to their senses.

by Jay Mankus

The Day God Sent Confusion Throughout the Land

The origins of April Fool’s Day is a mystery. Some historians point to Geoffrey Chaucer’s the Canterbury Tales. This theory is based upon Chaucer’s comments on the time between April 1st and foolishness. Meanwhile, others refer to the 16th century religious figure who refused to celebrate the re-established New Year on January first. This stoic held to the belief that the new year began in April following holy week and Easter Sunday. Whatever the inspiration for April Fool’s Day, someone is always seeking to send confusion throughout the land with a practical joke.

Come, let Us go down and there confound (mix up, confuse) their language, that they may not understand one another’s speech. So the Lord scattered them abroad from that place upon the face of the whole earth, and they gave up building the city, Genesis 11:7-8.

However, sometimes the joke is on you. Imagine you’re Baalaam and your donkey starts speaking to you. This may be a sign to others that you’re either drunk, stoned or out of your mind. Then again, maybe God is trying to get your attention, but you don’t like what you’re hearing like Jonah’s initial call to go to Nineveh. When God sent a spirit of confusion upon the land of Babel, this was no joke. Your friend the day before suddenly was a stranger, unable to communicate with you. When the construction workers realized that this was reality, everyone picked up and left, never to return to this job site.

When suddenly there came a sound from heaven like the rushing of a violent tempest blast, and it filled the whole house in which they were sitting. And there appeared to them tongues resembling fire, which were separated and distributed and which settled on each one of them. And they were all filled (diffused throughout their souls) with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other (different, foreign) languages (tongues), as the Spirit [a]kept giving them clear and loud expression [in each tongue in appropriate words]. Now there were then residing in Jerusalem Jews, devout and God-fearing men from every country under heaven, Acts 2:2-5.

When I read articles online or watch the news, I feel like it’s April Fool’s every night of the year. You’ve got to be kidding right? While it’s been thousands of years since God sent a Spirit of Confusion throughout the earth, progressive politicians, Cancel Culture and the Woke Community are ushering in man-made confusion. Rather than state the obvious based upon biological and biblical truths, right and wrong have been turned upside down. May the power of the Holy Spirit restore common sense and sanity to new leaders so that this modern spirit of confusion ceases.

by Jay Mankus

S.A.N.S. Episode 351: More Beautiful You

The Book definition of beautiful is a person, place or thing that is pleasing to your senses or mind aesthetically: Today’s song More Beautiful You by Jonny Diaz illustrates the struggles a father of daughters deals with as their baby girl or girls grow up. As girls experience puberty, trying to fit in can be a difficult process, often changing their appearance to be accepted by their peers. The lyrics of Diaz’ song seeks biblical guidance to discover the beauty inside of you transformed by God’s Spirit.

A capable, intelligent, and [b]virtuous woman—who is he who can find her? She is far more precious than jewels and her value is far above rubies or pearls. 11 The heart of her husband trusts in her confidently and relies on and believes in her securely, so that he has no lack of [honest] gain or need of [dishonest] spoil. 12 She comforts, encourages, and does him only good as long as there is life within her, Proverbs 31:10-12.

The attached clip from Joan of Arcadia season two is entitled waiting for beautiful. As Joan struggles with jealousy in this episode, her mother is approached by an old high school sweetheart. Both are tempted by envy, wondering what life on the other side of the fence is like. While Joan fails the test God sets before her, Joan’s mom comes to her senses before exploring a potential open door. May these two videos help guide future teenage girls toward finding the more beautiful you in Christ.

by Jay Mankus

The First Polygamist

Polygamy is the practice or custom of having more than one wife or husband at the same time. According to Moses, Lamech, son of Methusael, decided to take two wives rather than one. While kings often took more than one wife to insure one of their living sons would hold on to the throne, Lamech made this decision on his own. Although Moses is silent on why Lamech made this decision, he will go down as the first polygamist on earth.

To Enoch was born Irad, and Irad was the father of Mehujael, and Mehujael the father of Methusael, and Methusael the father of Lamech. 19 And Lamech took two wives; the name of the one was Adah and of the other was Zillah, Genesis 4:18-19.

When I was in high school, my best friend Carl was a devout Mormon. One of the guys I ran cross country against, Dean, was the son of the pastor of Carl’s church. Prior to meeting Carl, Mormonism was known for its belief and practice of polygamy. My non-Mormon friends would often joke, “I’d convert if I could have two wives.” Like any book, you may have preconceived judgments before reading it, but until you open it up to experience what’s inside, you’ll never know what you’ll find to be true.

Adah bore Jabal; he was the father of those who dwell in tents and have cattle and purchase possessions. 21 His brother’s name was Jubal; he was the father of all those who play the lyre and pipe. 22 Zillah bore Tubal-cain; he was the forger of all [cutting] instruments of bronze and iron. The sister of Tubal-cain was Naamah, Genesis 4:20-22.

Moses introduces the first polygamist of the Bible in the passage above. There is no logical explanation provided, but maybe Lamech was torn between two amazing women? Whatever the reason, Lamech is a trend setter for future leaders and kings. King Solomon took this to the extremes with 700 wives and 300 concubines, but this is what happens when you allow human nature to control your thought process, Genesis 4:6-7. May the missteps in life by Cain and Lamech serve as a warning to stay committed to one spouse and one God.

by Jay Mankus

S.A.N.S. Episode 350: Broken Heart

An English proverb which dates back to 1742 states “THERE ARE TWO SIDES TO EVERY STORY.” The context of this expression is when you pick up a coin to see how much it’s worth. The same can be said about turning the page from one year to the next. While 2023 is fresh in the minds of people today, you still have to deal with any lingering consequences from your past. If your heart is still broken when the ball dropped on New Year’s Eve, there are still pieces to pick up in this calendar year.

The Lord is close to those who are of a broken heart and saves such as are crushed with sorrow for sin and are humbly and thoroughly penitent, Psalm 34:18.

In their song Broken Heart, Falling Up turns to heaven in prayer to mend their emotion pain. Just as David was in need of healing in the passage above, countless individuals are struggling with their lives entering 2023. While many turn to alcohol and drugs to numb their pain, the lyrics of Broken Heart reach out to Jesus for healing. May the words of Matthew 11:28-30 encourage you take all those things in life weighing you down and place them at the foot of Jesus’ cross to find rest for your soul.

by Jay Mankus

Making God Your Top Priority in 2023

A top priority refers to something of greatest importance. While attending Seminary, one of my professors introduced me to the Triangle Theory. Based upon time management, a triangle diagram is used as an aide to analyze how you spend your time outside of sleeping. When you do an honest assessment of your day-to-day activities, the average hours you invest in this or that will highlight what your top priority is at this moment in time.

And in the morning, long before daylight, He got up and went out to a [u]deserted place, and there He prayed. 36 And Simon [Peter] and those who were with him followed Him [[v]pursuing Him eagerly and hunting Him out], 37 And they found Him and said to Him, Everybody is looking for You. 38 And He said to them, Let us be going on into the neighboring country towns, that I may preach there also; for that is why I came out, Mark 1:35-38.

One of Paul’s missionary helpers, John Mark, recalls a story told to him by one of Jesus’ disciples. While the disciples slept in, Jesus got up early in the morning to go walking in the wilderness. After finding a quiet place, Jesus prays to his heavenly Father. Based upon the words above, Jesus top priority to begin each day was seeking guidance from God to determine where He wanted Jesus to go and what God wanted Him to do.

But seek ([z]aim at and strive after) first of all His kingdom and His righteousness ([aa]His way of doing and being right), and then all these things [ab]taken together will be given you besides. 34 So do not worry or be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will have worries and anxieties of its own. Sufficient for each day is its own trouble, Matthew 6:33-34.

Perhaps, the Sermon on the Mount provides an introduction to Jesus’ prayer life. This insight begins with the Lord’s Prayer in Matthew 6:1-15. After fasting is touched upon, Jesus concludes this section of his message on what Christians should strive for: hunger and thirst for righteousness. When God becomes your top priority, your mindset changes from earth toward heaven. The apostle Paul lays this out in Colossians 3:1-17. May these passages of the Bible inspire you to make Jesus Lord of all in 2023.

by Jay Mankus

S.A.N.S. Episode 349: Blessed

One of the best ways to seize 2023 as your year to live the abundant life on earth, John 10:10, is to begin January by reading the Beatitudes. The portion of Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount sets the tone for those in attendance. Just like the words shared by Moses in Deuteronomy 28:1-3 to the nation of Israel, blessings follow anyone who is obedient to God’s command, decrees, and precepts. As you listen to Jospeh O’Brien’s song Blessed, may this promise in the Bible come to fruition in 2023.

Blessed (happy, [a]to be envied, and [b]spiritually prosperous—[c]with life-joy and satisfaction in God’s favor and salvation, regardless of their outward conditions) are the poor in spirit (the humble, who rate themselves insignificant), for theirs is the kingdom of heaven! Blessed and enviably happy [with a [d]happiness produced by the experience of God’s favor and especially conditioned by the revelation of His matchless grace] are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted! Blessed (happy, blithesome, joyous, [e]spiritually prosperous—[f]with life-joy and satisfaction in God’s favor and salvation, regardless of their outward conditions) are the meek (the mild, patient, long-suffering), for they shall inherit the earth! Blessed and fortunate and happy and [g]spiritually prosperous (in that state in which the born-again child of God [h]enjoys His favor and salvation) are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness (uprightness and right standing with God), for they shall be [i]completely satisfied! Blessed (happy, [j]to be envied, and [k]spiritually prosperous—[l]with life-joy and satisfaction in God’s favor and salvation, regardless of their outward conditions) are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy! Blessed (happy, [m]enviably fortunate, and [n]spiritually prosperous—possessing the [o]happiness produced by the experience of God’s favor and especially conditioned by the revelation of His grace, regardless of their outward conditions) are the pure in heart, for they shall see God! – Matthew 5:3-8

When you come to the conclusion that the people you interact with daily need to change, perhaps it’s you who needs an attitude adjustment? Just as cars receive oil changes every three to five thousand miles, Christian’s need a spiritual alignment on a weekly and monthly basis. While this painful truth may not be obvious to you, it’s glaring to those whom you live with. May the lyrics of Blessed be a starting point for you in 2023 so that the power of the Holy Spirit transforms you to become like Jesus this year.

by Jay Mankus

We’re Not the Only Ones to Experience Regret

As a parent, there are many things that I regret doing or saying. Yet, the fallen nature within me has caused me to overreact through the years. From a discipline standpoint, I lost my temper a few times as well as being a pushover in other areas, too soft when I needed to be firmer. While I’ve tried to do my best over the years, I’ve fallen short like everyone else on earth, Romans 3:23. This is nothing compared to what God the Father experienced from heaven as He watched His son die on a cross.

The Lord saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every imagination and intention of all human thinking was only evil continually. And the Lord regretted that He had made man on the earth, and He was grieved at heart, Genesis 6:5-6.

From God the Creator’s perspective, his children didn’t get off to a great start. Adam and Eve broke the only rule God set in the Garden of Eden. This was quickly followed by the first murder due to a jealous heart. While godly individuals like Enoch came along every once in a while, to habitually walk with Him, human nature gradually perverted the inhabitants of the earth. Subsequently, as God watched from heaven, He regretted what had become of His grand design of earth.

So the Lord said, I will destroy, blot out, and wipe away mankind, whom I have created from the face of the ground—not only man, [but] the beasts and the creeping things and the birds of the air—for it grieves Me and makes Me regretful that I have made them, Genesis 6:7.

As an artist in the context of a writer, I know what it feels like what when you have to scrap everything you’ve been working on by starting over from scratch. Yet, the Lord was emotionally invested in the human beings He had created. It’s one thing to throw away pieces of paper. In God’s case, we’re talking about ending the lives of people. Before reaching a final decision, Noah followed in the footsteps of Enoch to curry favor with God. As you reflect upon 2022 as 2023 was ushered in on New Year’s Day, may you remember that you’re not the only one to experience regret.

by Jay Mankus

S.A.N.S. Episode 348: Right Things

Route 66 has a special place in my heart. Besides watching the movie Cars with my three children when they were young, traveling on Route 66 was part of my best and longest vacation with my family. During one of the summers, I was teaching at Red Lion, Leanne and I took James, Daniel, and Lydia on a trip of a lifetime. While the centerpiece of this trip was the Grand Canyon, Route 66 provided a slower pace of life, a chance to slow down and reflect upon God’s beautiful creation in the United States.

And in the morning, long before daylight, He got up and went out to a [u]deserted place, and there He prayed. 36 And Simon [Peter] and those who were with him followed Him [[v]pursuing Him eagerly and hunting Him out], Mark 1:35-36.

As I wind down 365 different songs in 365 days from 365 artists in February, I turned to my son Daniel to help me finish the final stretch. Daniel led me to Chris Renzema. While I had several songs to choose from, the song Right Things seems to be a good fit for people still trying to develop New Year resolutions for 2023. As you listen to the lyrics of Right Things, may the words of Psalm 46:10 inspire you to be still by reflecting upon God’s creation of this planet.

by Jay Mankus

Stop Unwholesome Thought From Staying in Your Mind

According to the words of Moses, sin is crouching at your door. Crouching is a position where the knees are bent, and the upper body is brought forward and down, sometimes to avoid detection or to defend oneself: If sin is still crouching at your door in 2023, you might as well get all the way down on your knees to start fighting back spiritually. The earthly brother of Jesus clarifies that this has nothing to do with God. Rather, unwholesome thoughts come from desires, enticement and lust, James 1:13-15.

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. And the Lord said to Cain, Why are you angry? And why do you look sad and depressed and dejected? 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.

According to the temptations of Adam and Eve in Genesis 3 and their son Cain in the passage above, the process of sin begins with an unwholesome thought that enters your mind, James 1:14-15. The serpent tried to convince Eve that God was holding her back by prohibiting access from the Tree of Knowledge. Meanwhile, envy and jealousy were putting thoughts into Cain’s head about eliminating the source of his frustration. Despite God’s warning in the passage above, Cain acted upon the unwholesome thought that remained in his mind.

For though we walk (live) in the flesh, we are not carrying on our warfare according to the flesh and using mere human weapons. For the weapons of our warfare are not physical [weapons of flesh and blood], but they are mighty before God for the overthrow and destruction of strongholds, [Inasmuch as we] refute arguments and theories and reasonings and every proud and lofty thing that sets itself up against the [true] knowledge of God; and we lead every thought and purpose away captive into the obedience of Christ (the Messiah, the Anointed One), Being in readiness to punish every [insubordinate for his] disobedience, when your own submission and obedience [as a church] are fully secured and complete, 2 Corinthains 10:3-6.

The apostle Paul provides a solution to stopping unwholesome thoughts from polluting your soul in the passage above. If Lucifer is a fallen arch angel who is ruler over the air on earth, Ephesians 2:2, physical means of protection will only go so far. The best way to stop unwholesome thoughts from staying in your mind is by using the armor of God, Ephesians 6:10-20. When these spiritual weapons are exercised daily, God will shield you from the Devil’s attacks. As Christians use prayer as a vehicle to put on each piece of spiritual armor, your thought life will become obedient to Christ, causing unwholesome thoughts to flee.

by Jay Mankus