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S.A.N.S. Episode 342: Traces of Heaven

Posted on January 10, 2023 by expressyourself4him

Today’s song reminds me of one of the first worldview classes that I taught at Red Lion. One of the first units introduced moral, immoral, and amoral. In the passage below, the apostle Paul is addressing individuals who are amoral or have never been introduced to God. Paul speaks to traces of heaven like an early morning sunrise, the appearance of a giant rainbow following a rainstorm, or a clear night sky filled with countless stars. These are signs of God’s invisible qualities.

For God’s [holy] wrath and indignation are revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who in their wickedness repress and hinder the truth and make it inoperative. 19 For that which is known about God is evident to them and made plain in their inner consciousness, because God [Himself] has shown it to them. 20 For ever since the creation of the world His invisible nature and attributes, that is, His eternal power and divinity, have been made intelligible and clearly discernible in and through the things that have been made (His handiworks). So [men] are without excuse [altogether without any defense or justification], Romans 1:18-20.

Bryan Duncan uses the innocence of a child to illustrate the message of his song Traces of Heaven. Depending upon your family, friends and teachers you’ve had in life, you will receive various explanation for questions to the meaning of life. These influences will shape your character toward moral or immoral. Anyone growing up outside the church will likely claim to be amoral, not knowing right from wrong, until meeting someone who shares the gospel of Jesus to them. May Bryan’s song help you see everyday Trace of Heaven in 2023.

by Jay Mankus

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Letting Go… Reaching Forward… Pressing On

Posted on January 10, 2023 by expressyourself4him

Mark Lowry introduced me to the concept of Letting go of my life by trusting God through one of his Comedy and Music albums. A few years later, David and the Giants released Let Go and Let God. Similar to Carrie Underwood’s song Jesus Take the Wheel, letting go means to yield total control of your life over to God. The apostle Paul refers to this as the Lordship of Christ, where Jesus becomes more than a friend and Savior, deepening your relationship to make Jesus the Lord of your life, Romans 10:9-11.

Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy-laden and overburdened, and I will cause you to rest. [I will [o]ease and relieve and [p]refresh [q]your souls.] 29 Take My yoke upon you and learn of Me, for I am gentle (meek) and humble (lowly) in heart, and you will find rest ([r]relief and ease and refreshment and [s]recreation and blessed quiet) for your souls. 30 For My yoke is wholesome (useful, [t]good—not harsh, hard, sharp, or pressing, but comfortable, gracious, and pleasant), and My burden is light and easy to be borne, Matthew 11:28-30.

As a former cross-country runner, reaching forward is a body posture technique to maintain your forward momentum. This is accomplished by slightly tilting your chest forward while keeping your head fixated on the course in front of you. When heads slouch down toward the ground, forward momentum is broken which drastically slows your pace. From a spiritual perspective, reaching forward refers to unloading any burdens from your past so that you can refocus your attention on the future.

Not that I have now attained [this ideal], or have already been made perfect, but I press on to lay hold of (grasp) and make my own, that for which Christ Jesus (the Messiah) has laid hold of me and made me His own. 13 I do not consider, brethren, that I have captured and made it my own [yet]; but one thing I do [it is my one aspiration]: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, 14 I press on toward the goal to win the [supreme and heavenly] prize to which God in Christ Jesus is calling us upward, Philippians 3:12-14.

The apostle Paul highlights what it means to press on in the passage above. Christians should not become complacent in their spiritual lives. Rather than live a lukewarm life, aided by idleness, press onto take hold of God’s will for your life, Romans 12:1-2. This includes flaming into fan the spiritual gifts God has given you, 1 Corinthians 12:1-7. These qualities were placed inside of you to fulfill the great commission, Acts 1:8, by pressing on to tell the world about the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

by Jay Mankus

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S.A.N.S. Episode 341: I Lift My Eyes Up

Posted on January 9, 2023 by expressyourself4him

Jesus is like your favorite teacher in high school or college who makes you think. One of the expressions Jesus used as a teaching method is, “let him who has eyes see; let him who has ears hear.” When someone tells you all the answers in class, you’re being cuddled and not being taught to think for yourself. Perhaps, Jesus realized that speaking in parables kept an audience on their toes, forcing those who could hear what Jesus was saying to ponder this story within their mind and heart.

Jesus said to them, My food (nourishment) is to do the will (pleasure) of Him Who sent Me and to accomplish and completely finish His work. 35 Do you not say, It is still four months until harvest time comes? Look! I tell you, raise your eyes and observe the fields and see how they are already white for harvesting. 36 Already the reaper is getting his wages [he who does the cutting now has his reward], for he is gathering fruit (crop) unto life eternal, so that he who does the planting and he who does the reaping may rejoice together, John 4:34-36.

In the passage above, Jesus uses farming as a means to communicate a spiritual truth. When you lift your eyes up, like the song by Miss Angie, you’re able to observe what’s going on around you. However, if you live where I did for over 25 years in the northeast section of the United States, everyone is so consumed by the rat race called life that you become oblivious to the world around you. As you listen to today’s song, may you learn to fix your eyes upon Jesus in 2023, Hebrews 12:1-2.

by Jay Mankus

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The First Age of Enlightenment on Earth

Posted on January 9, 2023 by expressyourself4him

The Age of Enlightenment can be illustrated by a famous painting entitled the School of Athens. This painting was one of the commissioned artworks by Pope Julius II when artist Raphael moved to Rome. This two-year project began in 1509 and was completed for public viewing in 1511. The School of Athens contains two great philosophers: Aristotle and Plato. While one scholar points to the sky, the other is pointing to within. This signifies the transition of seeking truth from God above toward humanism, searching for truth from within your own heart and soul.

Now the serpent was more subtle and crafty than any living creature of the field which the Lord God had made. And he [Satan] said to the woman, Can it really be that God has said, You shall not eat from every tree of the garden? 2 And the woman said to the serpent, We may eat the fruit from the trees of the garden, 3 Except the fruit from the tree which is in the middle of the garden. God has said, You shall not eat of it, neither shall you touch it, lest you die. 4 But the serpent said to the woman, You shall not surely die, 5 For God knows that in the day you eat of it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing the difference between good and evil and blessing and calamity, Genesis 3:1-5.

If the serpent above is either the fallen angel Lucifer taking possession of this serpent or merely the first voice of temptation, this is the Bible’s first age of enlightenment. As a former Bible teacher, King Solomon wrote the Book of Proverbs for one of his sons to set spiritual boundaries for life on earth. This invisible line is designed to protect human beings by keeping danger out of their lives. This was likely the same reason God only had one rule in the garden, not to eat from the Tree of Knowledge, Genesis 2:16-17. The apostle Paul once urged the Church at Corinth to look for the way out of any temptation, 1 Corinthians 10:13.

When men began to multiply on the face of the land and daughters were born to them, 2 The sons of God saw that the daughters of men were fair, and they took wives of all they desired and chose. 3 Then the Lord said, My Spirit shall not forever dwell and strive with man, for he also is flesh; but his days shall yet be 120 years. 4 There were giants on the earth in those days—and also afterward—when the sons of God lived with the daughters of men, and they bore children to them. These were the mighty men who were of old, men of renown. 5 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, Genesis 6:1-5.

Jesus refers to the Devil as the father of all lies in John 8:44. The first lie is introduced to Eve as Adam was standing right there with her. Psalm 1:1-3 compares everyday life to talking a walk. Who you associate with, and join will influence the decisions that you make in life. Whenever a lie is passed onto to you, Christians must filter any content with the Bible, Acts 17:10-12, testing this to determine if it’s true. Unfortunately, when lies are repeated over and over again, social media elevates lies to truth status. Rather to repeat historic mistakes by doing what’s right in your own eyes, Judges 21:25, test everything and cling to God’s truth.

by Jay Mankus

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S.A.N.S. Episode 340: Thicker

Posted on January 8, 2023 by expressyourself4him

Chasing Furies song Thicker reminds me of one of Jesus’ parables. When Jesus shared the Parable of the Sower in public, the disciples were confused and dumbfounded. Subsequently, these 12 men approached Jesus in private to understand the point of his analogy. Jesus was trying to stress the importance of soil types, the environments in which you live. If you allow yourself to be surrounded by negative influences, you will struggle to grow and mature as a Christian.

As for what was sown on thin (rocky) soil, this is he who hears the Word and at once welcomes and accepts it with joy; 21 Yet it has no real root in him, but is temporary (inconstant, [i]lasts but a little while); and when affliction or trouble or persecution comes on account of the Word, at once he is caused to stumble [he is repelled and [j]begins to distrust and desert Him Whom he ought to trust and obey] and he falls away. 22 As for what was sown among thorns, this is he who hears the Word, but the cares of the world and the pleasure and delight and glamour and deceitfulness of riches choke and suffocate the Word, and it yields no fruit, Matthew 13:20-22.

At the present time, the beginning of 2023, you may find yourself trampled, compressed by heartaches in life. Maybe rocks are your problem, holding you back from sprouting to your full potential? Then again, sticker bushes and thickets could be the source of your pain, suffocating your life from experiencing joy, John 10:10. Whatever your stumbling block may be as you enter 2023, may the lyrics of Thicker help you start to spiritually weed your current environment so that the soil you dwell in improves immensely this year.

by Jay Mankus

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Jesus Belongs to You

Posted on January 8, 2023 by expressyourself4him

Belonging refers to an affinity for a group, place or situation. As a loner for most of junior high, the first group that welcomed me was the Concord High Cross Country team. Over a four-year period, my coaches and teammates become like a second family to me. As a junior in high school, a Methodist Youth Group provided the same sense of belonging. As I joined an accountability group and Bible Study, these teenagers became my spiritual family. Jesus made this possible by his selfless act in Romans 5:8.

For to us a Child is born, to us a Son is given; and the government shall be upon His shoulder, and His name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father [of Eternity], Prince of Peace. 7 Of the increase of His government and of peace there shall be no end, upon the throne of David and over his kingdom, to establish it and to uphold it with justice and with righteousness from the [latter] time forth, even forevermore. The zeal of the Lord of hosts will perform this, Isaiah 9:6-7.

According to a vision from an Old Testament prophet, a Savior would be born unto us. Speaking for Israel, this Savior would be for an entire nation. However, as the apostle Paul wrote to the Church at Rome, his ministry offered this same Savior to the Gentiles as well. While Jews in some cities tried to kill Paul, this didn’t stop him from extending God’s free gift to all nations, Romans 6:23. If I could condense Paul’s words to one sentence, Jesus belongs to you, for unto us a Savior was born.

For God so greatly loved and dearly prized the world that He [even] gave up His only begotten ([d]unique) Son, so that whoever believes in (trusts in, clings to, relies on) Him shall not perish (come to destruction, be lost) but have eternal (everlasting) life. 17 For God did not send the Son into the world in order to judge (to reject, to condemn, to pass sentence on) the world, but that the world might find salvation and be made safe and sound through Him, John 3:16-17.

The passage above was spoken to a Pharisee named Nicodemus under the cover of darkness. Jesus’ inner circle, James, John in Peter, were likely somewhere in the vicinity, perhaps eavesdropping on this conversation. While it’s unclear if Jesus or the Holy Spirit revealed the full conversation between Jesus and Nicodemus on that night, these words to one man now applies to you as well. Jesus didn’t come to condemn the world, but to save it as Jesus belongs to you as long as you freely accept God’s free gift into your heart, Romans 10:9-11. May this verse convince you that Jesus belongs to you.

by Jay Mankus

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S.A.N.S. Episode 339: All Fall Down

Posted on January 7, 2023 by expressyourself4him

I remember playing as a kid, repeating what others exclaimed, “ashes to ashes, we all fall down.” At the time, I had no idea what this meant but I was just trying to fit in. As an adult, I discovered that the expression: “Ashes! Ashes! We all fall down,” is related to the black pallor that a patient’s skin has in his last days and to the cremation of Black Plague’s victims. The Bible has another explanation for why human beings all fall down.

As it is written, None is righteous, just and truthful and upright and conscientious, no, not one. 11 No one understands [no one intelligently discerns or comprehends]; no one seeks out God. 12 All have turned aside; together they have gone wrong and have become unprofitable and worthless; no one does right, not even one! – Romans 3:10-12.

At the height of the Roman Empire, many Roman Christians felt superior to other believers scattered throughout the world due to Nero’s persecution. Subsequently, the apostle Paul addresses this superiority complex in Romans 2-3. The climax of Paul’s message is mentioned in the passage above. Despite how disciplined and educated that you may be, everyone falls short of God’s glory. May the lyrics of Sarah Masen’s song All Fall Down keep you humble and meek in 2023.

by Jay Mankus

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Embrace Progress Over Perfection in 2023

Posted on January 7, 2023 by expressyourself4him

Mere Christianity by C.S. Lewis was a textbook that my high school students became familiar with at Red Lion. Yet, as their Bible teacher, one phrase has stuck with me the past twenty years, “success is the process of arrival.” Like the words of the apostle Paul in Philippians 3:12-14, Christians don’t arrive in heaven on earth. Rather, the sanctification process of God’s grace takes a lifetime to complete. Therefore, embrace progress over perfection in 2023 as success is a process, not actually arriving.

The steps of a [good] man are directed and established by the Lord when He delights in his way [and He busies Himself with his every step]. 24 Though he falls, he shall not be utterly cast down, for the Lord grasps his hand in support and upholds him, Psalm 37:23-24.

I guess you can say King David learned this lesson the hard way following his affair with Bathsheba. After being rebuked by the prophet Nathan in 2 Samuel 12:1-11, David’s imperfections turned into a generational sin. Perhaps, the words in the passage above are David’s attempt to embrace small steps of spiritual progress. Whenever anyone stumbles in life due to acts of disobedience, you have to learn all over again how to keep in step with the Holy Spirit.

And I am convinced and sure of this very thing, that He Who began a good work in you will continue until the day of Jesus Christ [right up to the time of His return], developing [that good work] and perfecting and bringing it to full completion in you, Philippians 1:6.

The apostle Paul touches on embracing progress over perfection. Paul understood that Jesus calls his followers to strive for perfection in Matthew 5:48, but faith is a lifelong process. Therefore, while you will have periods of backsliding, idleness or rebellion like the prodigal son in Luke 15, God still has a plan for your life. Just as the prophet Jonah didn’t go to Nineveh the route God intended, embrace progress over perfection so that God will finish the work that He began in you this year.

by Jay Mankus

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S.A.N.S. Episode 338: Resolution

Posted on January 6, 2023 by expressyourself4him

I first discovered Ska music in college. The origin of Ska began in the late 1950s and was the precursor to a rockish version of reggae. The Ska genre of music combines elements of Caribbean mento, Big Band with American jazz and rhythm and blues. Ska is characterized by a walking bass line accented with rhythms on the offbeat. The O.C. Supertones were one of the first Christian Ska bands to hit it big in the United States.

Study and be eager and do your utmost to present yourself to God approved (tested by trial), a workman who has no cause to be ashamed, correctly analyzing and accurately dividing [rightly handling and skillfully teaching] the Word of Truth. 16 But avoid all empty (vain, useless, idle) talk, for it will lead people into more and more ungodliness, 2 Timothy 2:15-16.

As a new year has begun, many are still scrambling to figure out what changes you are going to make in 2023. Subsequently, beginning 2023 with the O.C. Supertones song Resolution may help some of you make a decision of how or what you want to change for the better. Are you going to devote every day to reading the Bible and prayer? Will you be disciplined to eat healthier? Or is it time to set a realistic work out plan in 2023? Whatever you decide, today is a great day to make your resolution.

by Jay Mankus

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A Plausible Origin of Greek Mythology

Posted on January 6, 2023 by expressyourself4him

Just as Moses was commissioned by the Lord to write down the oral traditions of Israel to Jewish families about to enter God’s promised land, Greek Mythology started during the Bronze Age. The poet Hesoid, 700 years before the birth of Christ, penned the first written documentation of Greek Mythology. While Zeus is believed to have had over 100 children with 7 different women, the three main offspring mentioned in Greek Mythology are Ares, Heba, and Hephaestus.

When men began to multiply on the face of the land and daughters were born to them, 2 The sons of God saw that the daughters of men were fair, and they took wives of all they desired and chose, Genesis 6:1-2.

According to ancient traditions, Zeus was the ruler of all gods, serving as the god of the sky, thunder and lightning. Zeus ruled from Mount Olympus, the home of the Greek gods. When I read today’s passage last week, one of the interpretations Bible scholars put forth is that angels described as sons of God were able to have children with the daughters of earth. Although it’s unclear if these male angels were able to come down to earth in human flesh, this portion of the Bible provides a plausible origin for Greek Mythology.

Then the Lord said, My Spirit shall not forever dwell and strive with man, for he also is flesh; but his days shall yet be 120 years. 4 There were giants on the earth in those days—and also afterward—when the sons of God lived with the daughters of men, and they bore children to them. These were the mighty men who were of old, men of renown, Genesis 6:3-4.

When you consider the fact that archeologists have unearthed skeletons of giants, it’s not so farfetched to conclude that one or more of these bones are from a race known as the Nephilim. Meanwhile, these giants were also incredible athletes who went on to become renown warriors. Is Moses describing the origin of Greek Mythology or were some of these historical events mixed with other fables, passed down through oral traditions? Whatever the original source is, today’s passage provides a plausible explanation for what is now known as Greek Mythology.

by Jay Mankus

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