Category Archives: Uncategorized

The Line Between Seizing the Day and Being a Workaholic

Posted on November 11, 2022 by expressyourself4him

As an aspiring screen writer, I spend as much of my free time away from work writing. Unfortunately, my productivity is often inconsistent. Every once in a while, I will seize every spare moment that I have. Meanwhile, the majority of my days are a struggle as exhaustion keeps me from fulfilling my weekly writing goals. Yet, when I pursue my writing schedule with a passion, I find myself crossing the line from productive toward a workaholic.

Now while they were on their way, it occurred that Jesus entered a certain village, and a woman named Martha received and welcomed Him into her house. 39 And she had a sister named Mary, who seated herself at the Lord’s feet and was listening to His teaching, Luke 10:38-39.

The Line between seizing the day and being a workaholic is indirectly touched on by Jesus during an encounter with two sisters. Martha is the doer of the family, always working hard to make sure every meal is prepared for the family. After cooking is complete, Martha races to straighten up the house and vacuum before anyone arrives. Meanwhile, Mary is a people person, eager to get caught up on how everything is going in your life. Before Jesus arrives, Martha is upset by the lack of help she receives.

But Martha [overly occupied and too busy] was distracted with much serving; and she came up to Him and said, Lord, is it nothing to You that my sister has left me to serve alone? Tell her then to help me [to lend a hand and do her part along with me]! 41 But the Lord replied to her by saying, Martha, Martha, you are anxious and troubled about many things; 42 There is need of only one or but [i]a few things. Mary has chosen the good portion [[j]that which is to her advantage], which shall not be taken away from her, Luke 10:40-42.

In the passage above, Jesus draws the line between working hard and missing out on why we are here on earth. God created human beings to be in relationships with one another. When individuals become so busy and consumed by work that they ignore the people right in front of you, you are a workaholic. Like AA, the first step to recovery is acknowledging that you have a problem. Therefore, my name is Jay Mankus and I am a workaholic. I spent most of my days like Martha rather than enjoying relationships like Mary. May we all strive to seize each day centered around relationships and not just work.

by Jay Mankus

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S.A.N.S. Episode 282: Brighter Days

Posted on November 10, 2022 by expressyourself4him

One of Jesus’ disciples writes about how to enjoy life and see brighter days. Peter provides practical advice beginning with keeping your mouth from speaking evil. Similar to the advice given by Moses in his farewell address to the nation of Israel in Deuteronomy 30:15-16, every choice you make daily leads to life or death. Blessing Offor, a Nigerian-born singer/songwriter, sings about this in his new song Brighter Day.

For let him who wants to enjoy life and see good days [good—whether apparent or not] keep his tongue free from evil and his lips from guile (treachery, deceit), 1 Peter 3:10.

While Dorothy sang about finding a place over the rainbow, the Bible promises a life after death in heaven. Jesus tells his disciples about going on ahead of them to prepare a place in heaven, John 14:1-4. Yet, the lyrics of Brighter Days speaks to James 1:2-4 and 1 Peter 1:6-7, looking beyond hardships in life to days where maturity and perspective alter your mindset. May Blessings’ song brighter your day and help you see the sunshine beyond the clouds.

by Jay Mankus

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Admirable, Fitting, and Good

Posted on November 10, 2022 by expressyourself4him

I recently completely a six-month project of regrading my backyard in South Carolina. Prior to moving in, there was a 45 degree drop off at our property line due to having a house on the top of a hill. My brother-in-law Mike worked with a local landscaper to build a retaining wall along a 50 feet section in the middle of our backyard. While this was completed in March, moving 4 tons of sand/fill with wheel barrels took longer than expected. After sodding this area last weekend, I gave the final approval of this work.

God called the dry land Earth, and the accumulated waters He called Seas. And God saw that this was good (fitting, admirable) and He approved it, Genesis 1:10.

Like an artist completing a portrait, God gazed and reflected upon the land mass called the earth. At the end of the second day of creation, God approved of the work He had completed. Unfortunately, human beings often get caught up with what’s happening tomorrow that they fail to focus on what the Lord has allowed you to accomplish today. While I am a realistic, I need to be less critical of myself by developing a spirit of appreciation for all the accomplishments and blessings in my life.

For the rest, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is worthy of reverence and is honorable and seemly, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely and lovable, whatever is kind and winsome and gracious, if there is any virtue and excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think on and weigh and take account of these things [fix your minds on them], Philippians 4:8.

The apostle Pail writes about this positive mindset in the passage above. Perhaps, Paul learned this lesson from Jesus’ earthly brother, James 1:2-4. If you learn to consider the obstacles in life as the process and road to maturity, your perspective will change. Since part of life is trial and error, think about life lessons that are admirable, fitting, and good. While human emotions will cause knee jerk reactions in the future, accept this and move on to a healthier and positive state of mind.

by Jay Mankus

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S.A.N.S. Episode 281: The Healing

Posted on November 9, 2022 by expressyourself4him

Anyone who has experienced some sort of a miracle, knows the power of prayer. As someone who has been healed of stuttering and a rare ankle injury, I give God all the glory. Every step I take without pain and word I speak without stuttering is the sign of the healing power that Blanca and Dante Bowe sing about. Perhaps this song was inspired by Blanca’s father who was into drugs and alcohol until an encounter with Jesus,

Heal me, O Lord, and I shall be healed; save me, and I shall be saved, for You are my praise, Jeremiah 17:14.

The prophet Jeremiah writes about the hope that the Lord brings in the form of healing. Unfortunately, there are countless souls who have never had their prayers answered. Hope for God to finally act and move on their behalf is growing dim. Part of me feels bad that God was able to help me and not others that I care about. Nonetheless, as you listen to the Healing, may the Holy Spirit touch your heart and stir your soul.

by Jay Mankus

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A Protective Shield

Posted on November 9, 2022 by expressyourself4him

Beside a vehicle with a brand-new windshield, not many Christians see God as a protective shield. While the apostle Paul introduces the shield of faith as a vital piece of the armor of God in Ephesians 6:10-20, King David compared the Lord to an impenetrable shield in the passage below. Like the shade of a tree on a heat summer day, God is a place of refuge to cool off until you regain your strength.

The Lord is my Strength and my [impenetrable] Shield; my heart trusts in, relies on, and confidently leans on Him, and I am helped; therefore my heart greatly rejoices, and with my song will I praise Him, Psalm 28:7.

As the leader of the Army of Israel, David was familiar with weapons of war. According to one Old Testament historian, kings would lead their countries off to battle each spring, 2 Samuel 11:1. Since Israel is 1516 feet above sea level, armies would have to wait until for snow to melt before the roads they traveled on were passable. While David became famous for killing the Philistines prized giant with 5 stones and a sling shot, he understood the need for the shield of faith.

The Lord is your keeper; the Lord is your shade on your right hand [the side not carrying a shield], Psalm 121:5.

Another Psalmist points out that soldiers would carry their shields with their left hands. Since only 10 percent of human beings are left hand dominant, the right hand was used to carry and maneuver swords. During a break in the action with two armies of equal strength, soldiers would burrow in the sand or soil by hiding under their shield. Subsequently, the Psalmist makes an analogy of what God is like. The Lord keeps us alive in battle as well as serving as a protective shade from the sun. May these two Psalms help you see God in a new and powerful way.

by Jay Mankus

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S.A.N.S. Episode 280: There is Power

Posted on November 8, 2022 by expressyourself4him

As times change, so does the positions within churches across the country. One of the latest trends is the transition from a Director of Music to Worship pastors. Such is the case for Lincoln Brewster, who serves as a pastor when he isn’t on tour. Today’s song comes from a live performance for K-Love Radio. The song Lincoln chose to perform is There is Power. The lyrics speak to the power of healing and preaching in the name of Jesus.

For God did not give us a spirit of timidity (of cowardice, of craven and cringing and fawning fear), but [He has given us a spirit] of power and of love and of calm and well-balanced mind and discipline and self-control, 2 Timothy 1:7.

The apostle Paul provides advice to a teenager pastor in the passage above. Paul speaks about weak individuals who struggle with the fear of what other people think. Rather than be consumed by peer pressure, Paul urges this young man of God to lean on the power of the Holy Spirit. This includes a spirit of power, love, and self-control. While hidden from human sight, this supernatural power can transform lives by placing your sole trust in the Lord, Proverbs 3:5-6.

by Jay Mankus

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Finding Help in God’s Promises

Posted on November 8, 2022 by expressyourself4him

Samuel Smiles published the first self-help book in 1859. The goal of Smiles book was to promote self-development in individuals who were struggling with confidence. In recent years, self-help books have increased in popularity. Yet, no book compares to the best seller of all time. The Bible is full of answers to life’s question as Christians weekly find help and hope in God’s promises within this book.

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.

Unfortunately, as human beings we all have experienced the pain of broken and unfulfilled promises. If you have been burned multiple times by someone you care about or look up to, you may reach a point in life when you stop trusting people. Perhaps, this is why many Christians fail to take God and Jesus up on their promises. Ungodly beliefs like “this sounds too good to be true” or “the Bible isn’t completely true” conceive doubt and years of unbelief.

I appeal to you therefore, brethren, and beg of you in view of [all] the mercies of God, to make a decisive dedication of your bodies [presenting all your members and faculties] as a living sacrifice, holy (devoted, consecrated) and well pleasing to God, which is your reasonable (rational, intelligent) service and spiritual worship. 2 Do not be conformed to this world (this age), [fashioned after and adapted to its external, superficial customs], but be transformed (changed) by the [entire] renewal of your mind [by its new ideals and its new attitude], so that you may prove [for yourselves] what is the good and acceptable and perfect will of God, even the thing which is good and acceptable and perfect [in His sight for you], Romans 12:1-2.

Yet, anyone who has ever read Restoring the Foundations by Chester and Betsy Kylstra or attended one of their workshops, you will find help and power in the promises of the Bible. In a letter to the Church of Philippi, Paul encourages Christians not to give up hope as what God has started in your life will be brought to completion. Meanwhile, as believers begins to offer their bodies as living sacrifices, the spiritual climate is ripe to begin to grasp God’s will for your life. These two promises serve as steppingstones to dig deeper into God’s Word so you can begin to accept, believe in and claim these promises in a prayer daily.

by Jay Mankus

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S.A.N.S. Episode 279: Soul Worth Saving

Posted on November 7, 2022 by expressyourself4him

Today’s song comes from the duo Jordan Phillips and Adam Stark. These two musicians from Nashville, Tennessee formed the group Apollo LTD. One of Apollo’s recent songs reminds me of one of my favorite verses in the Bible. Jesus’ earthly brother writes about a deed that covers over a multitude of sins. According to James, anyone who turns a sinner from the error of their way demonstrates God’s calling to save lost souls.

[My] brethren, if anyone among you strays from the Truth and falls into error and another [person] brings him back [to God], 20 Let the [latter] one be sure that whoever turns a sinner from his evil course will save [that one’s] soul from death and will cover a multitude of sins [[a]procure the pardon of the many sins committed by the convert], James 5:19-20.

Back in my early days as an aspiring youth director, I met an outcast at a church lock-in which began at a nearby bowling alley. After a few minutes of observing this group of teenagers, it didn’t take look to recognize the boy others referred to as Satan. Inspired by heavy metal groups, this lost soul enjoyed being the bad boy at church. Over the next several hours, I listened, making it my mission to invest in a soul worth saving. Before the night was over, this teen gave his heart to Jesus.

by Jay Mankus

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Cut It Out… Or Be Cut Off

Posted on November 7, 2022 by expressyourself4him

There were two common expressions the parents of teenagers in my neighbors used while trying to discipline unruly kids. The first was “knock it off,” but my dad often said, “cut it out.” When your father is a former defensive end and tight end in college, you do exactly what he says. One Old Testament prophet and Jesus make similar points in the passages below:

Behold, the Lord’s hand is not shortened at all, that it cannot save, nor His ear dull with deafness, that it cannot hear. 2 But your iniquities have made a separation between you and your God, and your sins have hidden His face from you, so that He will not hear. 3 For your hands are defiled with blood and your fingers with iniquity; your lips have spoken lies, your tongue mutters wickedness. 4 None sues or calls in righteousness [but for the sake of doing injury to others—to take some undue advantage]; no one goes to law honestly and pleads [his case] in truth; they trust in emptiness, worthlessness and futility, and speaking lies! They conceive mischief and bring forth evil! – Isaiah 59:1-4

I came face to face with this expression during the summer before my senior year of college. While playing sand volleyball with my good friend Eddy, I broke my ankle. Instead of enjoying my final month of summer, I was bed-ridden for two weeks. While lying in bed, I heard the Holy Spirit whisper “cut if out or be cut off”. Like the Laodiceans in Revelation 3:15-16, I had become a lukewarm Christian.

 I am the True Vine, and My Father is the Vinedresser. 2 Any branch in Me that does not bear fruit [that stops bearing] He cuts away (trims off, takes away); and He cleanses and repeatedly prunes every branch that continues to bear fruit, to make it bear more and richer and more excellent fruit. 3 You are cleansed and pruned already, because of the word which I have given you [the teachings I have discussed with you]. 4 Dwell in Me, and I will dwell in you. [Live in Me, and I will live in you.] Just as no branch can bear fruit of itself without abiding in (being vitally united to) the vine, neither can you bear fruit unless you abide in Me. 5 I am the Vine; you are the branches. Whoever lives in Me and I in him bears much (abundant) fruit. However, apart from Me [cut off from vital union with Me] you can do nothing, John 15:1-5.

In the days that followed, I had come to a crossroads of faith. This was God’s way of saying, “make Jesus Lord of your life, Romans 10:9-11, or live for yourself.” At college I was a strong Christian, but at home in Cleveland I was chasing after earthly pleasures. August of 1991 altered my prodigal journey as I came to my spiritual senses to return home for good by beginning to cut out my former way of life, Colossians 3:5-9. May my personal journey inspire you to go all in by making Jesus Lord and Savior.

by Jay Mankus

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S.A.N.S. Episode 278: Same God

Posted on November 6, 2022 by expressyourself4him

If you have lived in the same place for an extended period of time, you’ve probably received a visit from Jehovah Witnesses. I typically take a few minutes to listen to their speel, take one of their Watchtower brochures and say “I’m not interested.” One of my spiritual mentors liked to play games with Jehovah Witnesses, asking questions about the various names of Jehovah God in the Old Testament

Happy (blessed, fortunate, enviable) is he who has the God of [special revelation to] Jacob for his help, whose hope is in the Lord his God, Psalm 146:5.

Today’s song comes from one of the numerous worship songs you’ll find on You Tube. Same God by Elevation Worship features Jonsal Barrientes as lead vocalist. I used Jehovah Witnesses to highlight that God never changes, Hebrews 13:8. While the names of God vary throughout the Bible, God continues to work behind the scenes to bring the Great Commission to completion, Acts 1:8.

by Jay Mankus

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