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Is There Anyone Righteous Still Standing?

Posted on April 2, 2023 by expressyourself4him

If I ever wanted to be depressed as a teenager, all I had to do was listen to one of Chicago’s ballad, the popular soft rock band of the late 1970’s and 1980’s. Perhaps, band members were inspired by breaking up with their girlfriend, singing about the anguish, emotions and pain of saying goodbye to someone you once loved. If I want to get depressed as an adult, all I have to do is watch five minutes of cable news to see how bad things have gotten on planet earth.

And [Abraham] said, Behold now, I have taken upon myself to speak [again] to the Lord. Suppose [only] twenty shall be found there. And [the Lord] replied, I will not destroy it for twenty’s sake. 32 And he said, Oh, let not the Lord be angry, and I will speak again only this once. Suppose ten [righteous people] shall be found there. And [the Lord] said, I will not destroy it for ten’s sake, Genesis 18:31-32.

Perhaps, if CNN went through a complete transformation to PNN, the positive news network, I wouldn’t feel as bad. Unfortunately, positive news doesn’t sell so death, sex and violence tend to be the leading stories. Of course, there are always plenty of segments on corruption, deceit and lies which makes me wonder if there is anyone righteous left in the world. According to the apostle Paul in Romans 3:9-12, my gut feeling is correct as human nature has led everyone astray.

The people of the land have used oppression and extortion and have committed robbery; yes, they have wronged and vexed the poor and needy; yes, they have oppressed the stranger and temporary resident wrongfully. 30 And I sought a man among them who should build up the wall and stand in the gap before Me for the land, that I should not destroy it, but I found none, Ezekiel 22:29-30.

One Old Testament prophet asked a similar question in the passage above. As Ezekiel looked at the signs of his time on earth, everyone seemed self-absorbed. Rather than following the JFK doctrine, “ask not what your country can do for you, but ask what can you do for your country,” a me first sentiment took over. Like a politician who says one thing in public and does the complete opposite privately, look to those who demonstrate, 1 Thessalonians 4:11-12. While your search may turn up empty, God’s remnant is out there, focused on God’s will.

by Jay Mankus

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The Crossover Connection Week 9: Led Zeppelin Lite

Posted on April 1, 2023 by expressyourself4him

While researching this week’s featured group, I stumbled upon a Podcast that I thought would be beneficial for anyone who wants to know more about Curious Fools. If it wasn’t for the name and Read album cover, this band might have garnered a larger following and subsequent longer career on tour. Nonetheless, the song Pull is the Christian version of the Stairway to Heaven as band members were heavily influenced by Led Zeppelin.

He who possesses the Son has that life; he who does not possess the Son of God does not have that life. 13 I write this to you who believe in (adhere to, trust in, and rely on) the name of the Son of God [in [c]the peculiar services and blessings conferred by Him on men], so that you may know [with settled and absolute knowledge] that you [already] have life, yes, eternal life, 1 John 5:12-13.

Curious Fools goal was to reach a secular audience. However, there were still Christian leaders who believed all rock music was of the Devil so if it wasn’t for Gotee Records I would have never heard of this band. Rather than a one hit wonder like Tom Hanks film That Thing You Do, Curious Fools’ Read album contains classic songs like Angel, Mess, Take Me Back and Pull. I hope you enjoy the unique sound of Curious Fools, Led Zeppelin Lite.

by Jay Mankus

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When Depression Overtakes Your Mind

Posted on April 1, 2023 by expressyourself4him

Depression is a mood disorder that causes a persistent feeling of sadness as well as a loss of interest. When depression begins to overtake human minds, there is a tendency to isolate oneself. Meanwhile, as you allow yourself to fall into one of these emotional slumps, your mind starts to expect the worst in every situation. Subsequently, a spirit of hopelessness can fill your soul, coming to the conclusion that all is lost.

So Abraham rose early in the morning and took bread and a bottle of water and gave them to Hagar, putting them on her shoulders, and he sent her and the [c]youth away. And she wandered on [aimlessly] and lost her way in the wilderness of Beersheba. 15 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 21:14-16.

Based upon the description of Hagar’s emotional condition in the passage above, Moses senses a woman’s dire belief that her baby boy is going to die. There wasn’t a clinic or emergency room available. Nor was there an app or cell phone to place a prescription online to numb Hagar’s pain. Hagar did want anyone in her position could do, cry out to God above as a last resort, praying for a miracle.

My son, forget not my law or teaching, but let your heart keep my commandments; 2 For length of days and years of a life [worth living] and tranquility [inward and outward and continuing through old age till death], these shall they add to you. 3 Let not mercy and kindness [shutting out all hatred and selfishness] and truth [shutting out all deliberate hypocrisy or falsehood] forsake you; bind them about your neck, write them upon the tablet of your heart. 4 So shall you find favor, good understanding, and high esteem in the sight [or judgment] of God and man, Proverbs 3:1-4.

I battled manic depression throughout Junior High and High School. Each night for several years, I cried myself to sleep, wondering if my stuttering would ever end. Unfortunately, the older I get, life becomes more complicated which enables depression to return. As I experience failure after failure in my attempt to begin a new career in South Carolina, depression has overtaken me again. I’m not sure how many more rejections I can bear, but King Solomon provides instructions on trusting God. May this passage shine light into the darkness of depression. As for now, all I can do is pray for each new day.

by Jay Mankus

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A Volcano in the Sky

Posted on March 31, 2023 by expressyourself4him

There are certain things in life that have fascinated me. Some of these things are good and wholesome while others are unwholesome like my obsession with volcanoes. Perhaps, this all began in my childhood as one of my neighbors grew up near Mount Saint Helens. After the 1980 eruption of Mount Saint Helens, this family showed me pictures of how beautiful this part of Washington state was before this natural disaster.

And after the seven days the floodwaters came upon the earth or land. 11 In the year 600 of Noah’s life, in the seventeenth day of the second month, that same day all the fountains of the great deep were broken up and burst forth, and the windows and floodgates of the heavens were opened. 12 And it rained upon the earth forty days and forty nights, Genesis 7:10-12.

According to Moses, the springs of the earth burst forth prior to the first rain event ever on earth. If you believe that Yellowstone National Park contains a super volcano in the form of the Yellowstone Caldera, this was likely when the first eruption occurred on earth. As the volcanic ash blocked out the sun, this could have triggered a global flood and set in motion the tectonic plates that tore apart Pangea to form the earth’s 7 continents.

Then the Lord rained on Sodom and on Gomorrah brimstone and fire from the Lord out of the heavens. 25 He overthrew, destroyed, and ended those cities, and all the valley and all the inhabitants of the cities, and what grew on the ground. 26 But [Lot’s] wife looked back from behind him, and she [b]became a pillar of salt, Genesis 19:24-26.

Whenever you try to describe or grasp the hand of God, it’s nearly impossible to do without divine knowledge and insight. However, after recently reading Genesis 19, the brimstone and fire from heaven seems to be similar to a modern-day pyroclastic flow. While Moses doesn’t mention an eruption, I can visualize some sort of volcano in the sky , situated above Sodom and Gomorrah. However, this tragic event happened, it’s a warning to continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling, Philippians 2:12.

by Jay Mankus

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Stand Back

Posted on March 30, 2023 by expressyourself4him

As an employee of Amazon the past decade; safety has been ingrained within me. Whether it’s using the freight elevator, a ladder or unclogging jams on a conveyor, each act requires specific training before you are permitted to perform this task. One of the expressions you might here is stand back and let someone who is qualified perform this duty.

But they said, Stand back! And they said, This fellow came in to live here temporarily, and now he presumes to be [our] judge! Now we will deal worse with you than with them. So they rushed at and pressed violently against Lot and came close to breaking down the door, Genesis 19:9.

On the other hand, stand back may be a precursor to an altercation breaking out. The context of the passage above is that Lot is trying to diffuse a potential conflict. Unfortunately doing the right thing as a peacemaker isn’t easy. Once a mob of people make up their mind to act, providing an alternative is tough to sell. When Lot’s plan B is rejected, an angel intervenes.

For those who are according to the flesh and are controlled by its unholy desires set their minds on and [d]pursue those things which gratify the flesh, but those who are according to the Spirit and are controlled by the desires of the Spirit set their minds on and [e]seek those things which gratify the [Holy] Spirit. 6 Now the mind of the flesh [which is sense and reason without the Holy Spirit] is death [death that [f]comprises all the miseries arising from sin, both here and hereafter]. But the mind of the [Holy] Spirit is life and [soul] peace [both now and forever]. 7 [That is] because the mind of the flesh [with its carnal thoughts and purposes] is hostile to God, for it does not submit itself to God’s Law; indeed it cannot, Romans 8:5-7.

The last episode of Seinfeld was set up by Jerry’s friends filming a robbery instead of acting like a concerned citizen. This form of stand back by not getting involved is now considered normal with cell phones videotaping crimes daily. As long as human beings continue to feed their sinful nature, this trend will continue. May the passage above serve as a warning to step out in faith by following the convictions of the Holy Spirit.

By Jay Mankus

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The Spiritual Silencing of the Lambs

Posted on March 29, 2023 by expressyourself4him

The words from a mob gathered outside the home of Lot, Abraham’s nephew, reminds me of comments made by members of the Woke Community posted on social media on a weekly occurrence. When your beliefs, convictions and worldview do not align with the progressive elite, you may be on the verge of being silenced like many Christians and churches during the Coronavirus.

But they said, Stand back! And they said, This fellow came in to live here temporarily, and now he presumes to be [our] judge! Now we will deal worse with you than with them. So they rushed at and pressed violently against Lot and came close to breaking down the door, Genesis 19:9.

As an aspiring screen writer, Silence of the Lambs is one of the best screen plays ever written. As someone who struggles to stay focused when I read, I was captivated by Ted Tally’s words based upon Thomas Harris’ novel. As Clarice Starling works with the FBI to track down a serial killer, Jodie Foster’s character is confronted with a haunting nightmare from her past, silencing the image of slaughtered lambs which she witnessed as a child.

For in this city there actually met and plotted together against Your holy Child and Servant Jesus, Whom You consecrated by anointing, both Herod and Pontius Pilate with the Gentiles and peoples of Israel, 28 To carry out all that Your hand and Your will and purpose had predestined (predetermined) should occur. 29 And now, Lord, observe their threats and grant to Your bond servants [full freedom] to declare Your message fearlessly, Acts 4:27-29.

As a former high school teacher for a decade, bullying was always something that came up at staff meetings. Unfortunately, teachers can’t be in the classroom and hallway at the same time so quiet and weak students were always at risk. Unless you possessed the gift of discernment like a guidance counselor, silent cries for help often went unnoticed. On occasions like this, it’s essential to turn to the Lord for protection, leaning upon the power of the Holy Spirit for boldness so the spiritual silencing of Christian lambs ceases in this hostile moment.

by Jay Mankus

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Trusting in God…Not Government

Posted on March 28, 2023 by expressyourself4him

The past half decade has seen a drastic change in mentality from the days of John F. Kennedy. The Democratic Party has evolved from “what can you do for the government to becoming dependent upon the government to meet your daily needs. Rather than follow in the footsteps of rugged individualism, modern political leaders have convinced many Americans that the government will provide for your daily needs.

Make haste and take refuge there, for I cannot do anything until you arrive there. Therefore the name of the city was called Zoar [little]. 23 The sun had risen over the earth when Lot entered Zoar, Genesis 19:22-23.

The context of the passage above occurs after God reveals to Lot that Sodom and Gomorrah will be destroyed. Since God promised Abraham his nephew Lot would be spared, there’s only one thing left to do. One of two angels tries to urge Lot to develop a sense of urgency. Until Lot reaches the agreed upon location, the city of Zoar, God can’t do anything.

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.

Jesus provides insight into trusting God in the passage above. While many children are taught you have to make things happen in life, Jesus points to the spiritual solution. Blessings come in the form of daily bread: meeting all your spoken and unspoken needs in life. While it’s tempting to receive free money in the form of government handouts, pursue God and His righteousness so you’ll learn to trust Jesus, not government.

by Jay Mankus

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When God Talked Out Loud to Himself

Posted on March 27, 2023 by expressyourself4him

As someone who struggled with stuttering for the first 20 years of my life, I often talked to myself. Since I rarely expressed how I felt inside my heart, talking to myself was more like a pep talk with the hope when I open ed my mouth in public I would communicate exactly what I wanted to say. Unfortunately, my nerves and or stuttering always prevented me from expressing a clear and concise message.

And the Lord said, Shall I hide from Abraham [My friend and servant] what I am going to do, 18 Since Abraham shall surely become a great and mighty nation, and all the nations of the earth shall be blessed through him and shall bless themselves by him? – Genesis 18:17-18.

I’ve read the Book of Genesis multiple times, but I never realized that God actually talked out loud to Himself according to Moses. Perhaps, this is what the Holy Spirit wanted Moses to mention in the passage above. Whatever the reason for this rare moment, God didn’t want to leave Abraham in the dark about his plan to destroy Sodom and Gomorrah, where his nephew was currently living.

For I have known (chosen, acknowledged) him [as My own], so that he may teach and command his children and the sons of his house after him to keep the way of the Lord and to do what is just and righteous, so that the Lord may bring Abraham what He has promised him. 20 And the Lord said, Because the shriek [of the sins] of Sodom and Gomorrah is great and their sin is exceedingly grievous, Genesis 18:19-20.

The Holy Spirit was sent following Jesus’ ascension into heaven, Acts 2, to speak to modern day Christians. According to the apostle Paul, if you’re paying attention spiritually, Galatians 5:25, you can actually keep in step with the Holy Spirit. Paul’s message to the Church in Rome is similar, Romans 8:1-12, suggesting Christian’s have an obligation to God’s Spirit. While you probably won’t ever hear God talk out loud to Himself, God’s still small voice is audible if you’re listening, 1 Kings 19:11-13.

by Jay Mankus

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Law and Order or Chaos?

Posted on March 26, 2023 by expressyourself4him

As a student at the University of Delaware, I became intrigued with Sociology and Psychology. From time to time, individuals would asked to partake in experiments based upon a hypothesis. My most memorable occurred over a week as I was asked to wear certain clothes to class. The first day was pajamas, the second a full suit and the third normal attire. When I dressed down, no one noticed or said anything to me. However, when I dressed up, I received several glances and was treated with more respect by my peers and professors.

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 6:5.

Over the past five years. politician’s have participated in their own modern-day experiment. If you follow statistics like successful companies cling to metrics, there’s a clear distinction between states that embrace and support law and other and those who want to reinvent America’s justice system. As district attorneys in liberal states fail to prosecute anyone who breaks the law, crime is incentivized. For example, if you reside in California and take less than $900 from a store without paying for it, you go undisciplined.

You have not yet struggled and fought agonizingly against sin, nor have you yet resisted and withstood to the point of pouring out your [own] blood. 5 And have you [completely] forgotten the divine word of appeal and encouragement in which you are reasoned with and addressed as sons? My son, do not think lightly or scorn to submit to the correction and discipline of the Lord, nor lose courage and give up and faint when you are reproved or corrected by Him; 6 For the Lord corrects and disciplines everyone whom He loves, and He punishes, even scourges, every son whom He accepts and welcomes to His heart and cherishes, Hebrews 12:4-6.

In the chapter of the Bible known as the Hall of Faith, Hebrews 11, the author writes about the importance of discipline. Like an athlete who strives to improve daily, 1 Corinthians 9:24-27, discipline serves as a means to highlight areas in life where you need to improve. During a sermon series at Willow Creek Community Creek, Lee Strobel examined the life of Dennis Rodman who was a member of the Chicago Bulls at this time. Strobel discovered that Rodman was never disciplined as a child. This shaped the person who he became. While progressives may not want to admit their error in judgment, most Americans prefer law and order over chaos.

by Jay Mankus

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The Crossover Connection Week 8: The Cyndi Lauper of Christian Music

Posted on March 25, 2023 by expressyourself4him

As a teenager in the 1980’s, music exploded in popularity with the creation of MTV. I remember rushing home from school so I could run over to a friends house who just got Cable Television. As music videos began, this gave fans a way to get to know their favorite artists with shows like Behind the Music. While the eighties is littered with bizarre music, several musicians just wanted to have fun singing like Cyndi Lauper.

And let the peace (soul harmony which comes) from Christ rule (act as umpire continually) in your hearts [deciding and settling with finality all questions that arise in your minds, in that peaceful state] to which as [members of Christ’s] one body you were also called [to live]. And be thankful (appreciative), [giving praise to God always]. 16 Let the word [spoken by] Christ (the Messiah) have its home [in your hearts and minds] and dwell in you in [all its] richness, as you teach and admonish and train one another in all insight and intelligence and wisdom [in spiritual things, and as you sing] psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, making melody to God with [His] grace in your hearts, Colossians 3:15-16.

While attending the University of Delaware, I started listening to a local Christian radio station. On a ride home the song What Would Jesus Do began playing. My immediate response was “that sounds like Cyndi Lauper.” This is how I was introduced to Julie Miller who has a distinct voice, an incredible testimony and gives off the vibe that girls still wanna have fun. Although I couldn’t find a greatest hits You Tube, Julie’s debut album and songs from other albums like “Don’t Let the Devil Ride” should suffice for fans of Cyndi Lauper.

by Jay Mankus

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