Category Archives: Uncategorized

S.A.N.S. Episode 128: He Knows My Name

Posted on June 8, 2022 by expressyourself4him

Francesca Battistelli is one of those young artists who came onto the Christian music scene like a young Amy Grant. While Francesca hasn’t achieved the legendary status of Amy, she has appeared in Woodlawn in 2015 and God’s Not Dead: We the People in 2021. Subsequently, you can add actress and musician to Francesca Battistelli’s rising career. One of my favorite songs from Francesca is He Knows My Name.

And Saul said, Who are You, Lord? And He said, I am Jesus, Whom you are persecuting. [b]It is dangerous and it will turn out badly for you to keep kicking against the goad [to offer vain and perilous resistance]. 6 Trembling and astonished he asked, Lord, what do You desire me to do? The Lord said to him, But arise and go into the city, and you will be told what you must do, Acts 9:5-6.

One of my favorite sitcoms growing up was Cheers. The theme song of Cheers sang about a place where everybody knows your name. The lyrics of He Knows My Name sings about an invisible God who knows your name. Sometimes you may have an encounter like the apostle Paul or be still enough to hear the whisper of God speak to your heart. If you ever find yourself struggling with doubt, remember that God knows your name.

by Jay Mankus

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Don’t Be That Diotrephes

Posted on June 8, 2022 by expressyourself4him

Don’t be that guy is an expression that spread into the conversations of large gatherings a decade ago. This is what you say to someone who is annoying, preforming an act of stupidity or just plain lameness. While reading a letter written by one of Jesus’ former disciples, John mentions an individual who was stubborn. Despite being a member of Jesus’ inner circle, Diotrephes ignored John’s advice and input.

I have written briefly to the church; but Diotrephes, who likes to take the lead among them and put himself first, does not acknowledge my authority and refuses to accept my suggestions or to listen to me, 3 John 1:9.

A pet peeve is something that a particular person finds especially annoying. This could be any act, behavior, practice or quirk that simply gets underneath your skin. While the disciple whom Jesus loved is an old man at the time this letter was written, John is looking for a little respect. The same kind of courtesy that Colonel Nathan R. Jessup was looking for in A Few Good Men.

So when I arrive, I will call attention to what he is doing, his boiling over and casting malicious reflections upon us with insinuating language. And not satisfied with that, he refuses to receive and welcome the [missionary] brethren himself, and also interferes with and forbids those who would welcome them, and tries to expel (excommunicate) them from the church, 3 John 1:10.

Based upon the context of 3 John, Diotrephes was a control freak or as some may say today, a legend in their own mind. Whenever anyone feels like they have arrived, minds become full of narcissism. This is what likely prevented Diotrephes from being open and teachable. Remember that success is the process of arriving as learning on earth never stops. Therefore, don’t that guy or modern-day Diotrephes.

by Jay Mankus

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S.A.N.S. Episode 127: The Beauty of Grace

Posted on June 7, 2022 by expressyourself4him

Krystal Meyers is one of those fortunate individuals who knew exactly what she wanted to do in life at an early age. While most high school students are preparing to attend their first prom at age 16, Krystal was finishing up her first album. At the present, Krystal has completed and released 3 albums so far in her musical career. My favorite song is the Beauty of Grace.

But He said to me, My grace (My favor and loving-kindness and mercy) is enough for you [sufficient against any danger and enables you to bear the trouble manfully]; for My strength and power are made perfect (fulfilled and completed) and[b]show themselves most effective in [your] weakness. Therefore, I will all the more gladly glory in my weaknesses and infirmities, that the strength and power of Christ (the Messiah) may rest (yes, may [c]pitch a tent over and dwell) upon me! – 2 Corinthians 12:9

The lyrics of the Beauty of Grace highlight the benefits of God’s grace. Despite how bad Christians may mess up and ruin an opportunity to serve God, there is freedom from the scars of your past. When you reach an emotional breaking point, broken and desperate for healing, confessing your mistakes opens the door for forgiveness. As we all struggle through life, may you experience the Beauty of Grace.

by Jay Mankus

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Contend for the Faith in 2022

Posted on June 7, 2022 by expressyourself4him

The term contend suggests that you are about to enter a struggle with difficulty and or danger to overcome. This ordeal is like a battle for supremacy, similar to a hotly contested athletic competition. Jude doesn’t use hope for the best or try as if quoting a Little League motto. Rather, Jude is calling on all first century Christians to become active participants in defending the faith for Jesus Christ.

Beloved, my whole concern was to write to you in regard to our common salvation. [But] I found it necessary and was impelled to write you and urgently appeal to and exhort [you] to contend for the faith which was once for all [a]handed down to the saints [the faith which is that sum of Christian belief which was delivered [b]verbally to the holy people of God], Jude 1:3.

As human beings, priorities tend to shift depending upon the time of year. When a series of unexpected events throw a wrench into your schedule, you usually have to make sacrifices. You may even have to cancel several commitments that you wanted to keep. In the midst of trials and tribulations, you may lose your way for a while. Yet, as Jude states above, don’t forget about your spiritual future and salvation.

Fight the good fight of the faith; lay hold of the eternal life to which you were summoned and [for which] you confessed the good confession [of faith] before many witnesses, 1 Timothy 6:12.

As an adult over the age of fifty, I don’t have the energy I once possessed as a hyperactive teenager. Nonetheless, there is still something worth fighting for: the future of my children, potential grandchildren and a decaying spiritual heritage in America. This is where Christians must ascertain their spiritual gift, fine tune them and fan these gifts into flame, 2 Timothy 1:6-7. In your own weakness, may Christ be strong so that you may become an active participant in contending for the Christian faith in 2022.

by Jay Mankus

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S.A.N.S. Episode 126: On My Knees

Posted on June 6, 2022 by expressyourself4him

As I was packing up my belongings to prepare for a move from Delaware to South Carolina, I stumbled upon an old compilation CD of up-and-coming female Christian artists. Jaci Velasquez was one of the musicians whose career was enhanced by this promotional album placed at the counters of Christian Bookstores throughout the nation. One of my favorite songs of Jaci is On My Knees.

Then I fell prostrate at his feet to worship (to pay divine honors) to him, but he [restrained me] and said, Refrain! [You must not do that!] I am [only] another servant with you and your brethren who have [accepted and hold] the testimony borne by Jesus. Worship God! For the substance (essence) of the truth revealed by Jesus is the spirit of all prophecy [the vital breath, the inspiration of all inspired preaching and interpretation of the divine will and purpose, including both mine and yours], Revelation 19:10.

The lyrics of On My Knees is based upon the emotional highs and lows that people experience daily. At some point in her life, Jaci realized that best way to endure trials and unexpected situations is to find a quiet place to pray. Rather than risk falling asleep in bed, Jaci found that humbling herself by falling to her knees produced the most refreshing times of prayer. May you learn from Jaci by drawing close to God as you daily pray.

by Jay Mankus

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Imposters of Faith

Posted on June 6, 2022 by expressyourself4him

An imposter is a person who pretends to be someone else in order to deceive others. Imposters may not start off with impure motives. Fear of what others may think initially often results in a chameleon effect, blending into environments so you’re not rejected by your peers. When an individual successfully deceives and tricks someone for the first time, an imposter is conceived. Imposters of faith come into play by preying on gullible Christian churches, going on a power trip when challenged or questioned.

For many imposters (seducers, deceivers, and false leaders) have gone out into the world, men who will not acknowledge (confess, admit) the coming of Jesus Christ (the Messiah) in bodily form. Such a one is the imposter (the seducer, the deceiver, the false leader, the antagonist of Christ) and the antichrist, 2 John 1:7.

One of my favorite books is the Handbook for Spiritual Warfare by Dr. Ed Murphy. The most powerful aspect of this book is a series of case studies, testimonies of how people ended up addicted, beaten or ravaged by poor choices they made in life. If I recall correctly, one of these is from an elder of a megachurch who tried to inform the leadership of a specific sin. After following the Matthew 18 principle, no one believed him as an imposter of faith had won the power struggle within this church.

Indeed all who delight in piety and are determined to live a devoted and godly life in Christ Jesus will meet with persecution [will be made to suffer because of their religious stand]. 13 But wicked men and imposters will go on from bad to worse, deceiving and leading astray others and being deceived and led astray themselves, 2 Timothy 3:12-13.

During the Summer of 2020, the BLM movement attached itself to inner circle churches across the country. While Paul calls Christians to be color blind in Colossians 3:11, the Old Testament warned Israel about adding and subtracting from the Bible, Deuteronomy 4:2. Due to political pressure, some churches across the country have drifted from the Bible to embrace progressive policies. If money is involved, imposters of faith blend faith into our culture and society to avoid scrutiny. If you find yourself struggling with this syncretism, study Jesus words in Matthew 24 so that your love for God won’t grow cold.

by Jay Mankus

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S.A.N.S. Episode 125: Everything I Need

Posted on June 5, 2022 by expressyourself4him

Kutless is one of the groups I should have featured much earlier, but they were bypassed for other songs that came to my mind. Kutless formed in Portland, Oregan in 1999 and have been rocking and rolling for the last two decades. This longevity has resulted in more than three million sold albums and counting. Besides being Sunday, I chose Everything I Need for the biblically based lyrics.

For His divine power has bestowed upon us all things that [are requisite and suited] to life and godliness, through the [[d]full, personal] knowledge of Him Who called us by and to His own glory and excellence (virtue). 4 By means of these He has bestowed on us His precious and exceedingly great promises, so that through them you may escape [by flight] from the moral decay (rottenness and corruption) that is in the world because of covetousness (lust and greed), and become sharers (partakers) of the divine nature, 2 Peter 1:3-4.

While listening to this song for the first time, I immediately thought of the words written by one of Jesus’ disciples in the passage above. According to Peter, the Holy Spirit gives Christians everything that they need for life. Yet, the world is filled with distractions that often separate us from God. The lyrics of Everything I Need parallels the Footprints Poem as there will be days that Jesus will need to carry us. When in doubt, lean on the promise in Philippians 4:13 as with Christ anything is possible.

by Jay Mankus

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Forward Your Love

Posted on June 5, 2022 by expressyourself4him

The Pay It Forward Movement and Foundation was founded in the United States. The inspiration behind this concept was to start a ripple effect of kind acts in America with a goal to spread love around the world. Pay it forward dates back to ancient Greece in 317 B.C. A play performed in Athens used pay it forward as a key plot concept. In the passage below, John calls Christians to forward God’s love.

They have testified before the church of your love and friendship. You will do well to forward them on their journey [and you will please do so] in a way worthy of God’s [service], 3 John 1:3.

Most modern books contain a forward. This homophone serves as an introduction to a book, setting the tone for what will follow. In the Sermon on the Mount in Matthew 5:43-47, Jesus reveals the role that love plays in a Christian’s life. Forward is the direction or the future path you will take in life. The act of love is what separates a person of faith from others who walk the face of the earth.

Little children, let us not love [merely] in theory or in speech but in deed and in truth (in practice and in sincerity), 1 John 3:18.

Yet, John isn’t content with merely talking about love. While the expression “talk is cheap” may not have been around during the first century, John is set on forwarding the love of God. The theory in the passage above likely applies to philosophers that John met in sharing the good news about Jesus Christ. While the intellectual like to talk, a true believer is inspired to live out and forward God’s love daily.

by Jay Mankus

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S.A.N.S. Episode 124: Zero Theme

Posted on June 4, 2022 by expressyourself4him

Today’s featured song comes from one of the compilation albums that I picked up at a Christian bookstore more than two decades ago. I think the title was Oxygen, a collection of unknown Christian dance/hip hop artists. Zero was by far my favorite, persuading me to purchase the Ravenous album upon my next visit. The album was okay, but the Zero Theme is a tune that should be played at all nightclubs.

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. 15 So he went and forced (glued) himself upon one of the citizens of that country, who sent him into his fields to feed hogs. 16 And he would gladly have fed on and [h]filled his belly with the [i]carob pods that the hogs were eating, but [they could not satisfy his hunger and] nobody gave him anything [better], Luke 15:14-16.

If you like Push It by Salt-n-Pepa or Shannon’s Let the Music Play, you’ll appreciate the Zero Theme. While the lyrics are designed to make you want to dance, there isn’t anything spiritual involved. To avoid any spoiler alerts, there is a funny remix from an old television show. If your sole desire is to blow off steam on a Friday afternoon, pop in the Zero Theme and you’ll be grooving in a manner of seconds.

by Jay Mankus

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There’s No Need for Disinformation

Posted on June 4, 2022 by expressyourself4him

The Department of Homeland Security recently announced news of a new Disinformation Governance Board. When an old Tiktok video of the individual selected to oversee this board surfaced, the credibility of this Disinformation Board was immediately put into question. Meanwhile, a tweet by Jeff Bezos called out President Biden for his own disinformation about a false statement on Covid-19 vaccines.

I have no greater joy than this, to hear that my [spiritual] children are living their lives in the Truth, 3 John 1:4.

According to one of Jesus’ former disciples, the Bible has its own plan for dealing with disinformation. At the beginning of one of his last recorded letters, John’s greatest joy as a Christian is to see people, he spiritually mentored to live their lives in the truth of the Bible. Since the Bible contains supernatural power as a living document, Hebrews 4:12, disinformation is exposed by the light of God’s Word.

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.

Years earlier, John was present when Jesus told his disciples that spiritual truth will set you free. While disinformation, gossip, and rumors continue today, Christians who shine the light and love of Jesus will convict the hearts of those trying to control your speech. Despite the algorithms designed by social media sites that favor progressive ideas, living your life in the Truth will expose disinformation as its espoused.

by Jay Mankus

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