Category Archives: Uncategorized

A Few Wrong Notes

Posted on June 12, 2016 by expressyourself4him

As a former alto saxophone player, it doesn’t take much to ruin a concert.  One wrong note, breathe or mistake can lead to humiliation.  However, sometimes a musician might deviate from the script, experimenting with a certain song or sound.  For Neil Young, a few wrong notes at a cafe in Ontario opened the door for this 18 year old aspiring artist.  As Paul Harvey famously stated, “and now you know the rest of the story.”

Praise the LORD. Praise God in his sanctuary; praise him in his mighty heavens, Psalm 150:1.

Hollywood’s version of a few wrong notes is illustrated by the Tom Hanks movie That Thing You Do.  When Guy Patterson, a back up drummer called into action after the regular drummer breaks his arm, he speeds up the song with a faster, hipper tempo.  Subsequently, lead vocalist and song writer Jimmy Mattingly is forced to follow this beat.  When this version of the song That Thing You Do hits the air waves, the Wonders become an overnight sensation.

Let everything that has breath praise the LORD. Praise the LORD, Psalm 150:6.

In the book Mere Christianity, C.S. Lewis uses a piano analogy to introduce the Law of Human Nature.  Without knowledge of notes or reading a music sheet, chaos usually ensues.  However, when basic principles are introduced, people develop an ear for what’s right and wrong.  In this life, God has given every individual a conscience to guide us.  The more individuals become in tune with God, a few wrong notes are easily recognizable.  Unfortunately, for those who wander down the wrong path, justification and realization take over blinding people from the truth.  Before arrogance or pride take over, may the Holy Spirit open your eyes to the few wrong notes you are playing so your final song will end in eternity.

by Jay Mankus

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Miracles from Heaven

Posted on June 11, 2016 by expressyourself4him

 

While waiting to see my eye doctor, I stumbled upon an article on Miracles from Heaven.  The piece in People’s Magazine recounts the events of Anna Beam, a 10 year old battling a debilitating disease.  To avoid ruining the ending for those who plan on seeing this 2016 film, Anna experiences what can only be described as a miracle from heaven.

He could not do any miracles there, except lay his hands on a few sick people and heal them, Mark 6:5.

Those who are agnostic or atheist will tend to explain stories like by with chance, destiny or fate.  However, when someone is presumed dead and awakens completely healed and transformed, even skeptics have to admit the validity of this true story.  For some it only takes one brush with death to straighten up.  Unfortunately, many individuals use up their 9 lives quickly without ever learning from previous mistakes.

He was amazed at their lack of faith. Then Jesus went around teaching from village to village, Mark 6:6.

Depending upon your definition of a miracle, there are countless that occur daily.  The birth of a child, recovering from an illness and the sunset are examples of this term.  Yet, Jesus reveals an important factor in regards to miracles.  Without faith the power to perform miracles ceases.  Thus, in order for miracles to continue in America and throughout the world faith must be exercised.  Until this atmosphere develops and prospers, miracles will remain few and far between, confined to Hollywood until revival commences.

by Jay Mankus

 

 

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The Lost Days

Posted on June 10, 2016 by expressyourself4him

I’m not sure how or why it happens, but a couple of times each year I wake up and a week, month or season has suddenly vanished.  Perhaps, my tunnel vision is too blame, so caught up by my job, project and other pursuits that I failed to slow down to embrace life.  Subsequently, I am left to wonder what did I miss on these lost days.

Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes, James 4:14.

Unfortunately, you can’t get these moments in time back.  Although the catch phrase to the soap opera theme song Days of Our Lives may be simple, “like sand through an hour glass, these are the days of our lives,” its so true.  The apostle Paul concurs, comparing each day to a fine mist which disappears as soon as the sun comes out.  The only question remaining: what is the best approach to prevent future opportunities from slipping through your hands?

Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil, Ephesians 5:15-16.

The answer lies in a powerful Latin saying, Carpe Diem, seize the day.  One of my favorite scenes from the movie Dead Poets Society occurs on the first day of class.  Trying to avoid the normal boring routine, Robin Williams who plays English teacher John Keating, takes his class for a walk down the hall.  Using school history as a teachable moment, Williams provides hope for those struggling with the lost days.  May you exercise your faith by savoring the time you have left with your children, friends and family.  Seize today!

by Jay Mankus

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A Reunion of Sorts

Posted on June 9, 2016 by expressyourself4him

Time has a way of healing wounds from the past.  Although things will never be the same, when you run into an old face, its nice to reminisce.  If you have the opportunity to talk long enough, you may even encounter a reunion of sorts.

Review the past for me, let us argue the matter together; state the case for your innocence, Isaiah 43:26.

Unfortunately, human emotions struggle to overlook transgressions of the past.  Some people may never recover from the heartache they have endured in life.  Thus, forgiveness is sometimes an empty word spoken as bitterness causes individuals to hold grudges.  Subsequently, until reconciliation occurs, a true reunion will have to wait.

Repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out, that times of refreshing may come from the Lord, Acts 3:19.

While interacting at a graduation party over the weekend, I learned a painful lesson.  Before you can move forward, you have to let go your past.  It may be a tough pill to swallow, but repentance without acts of contrition is meaningless.  Therefore, bury the hatchet now while there is still time so that a full reunion can be completed.

by Jay Mankus

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Family, Strangers and the Needy

Posted on June 8, 2016 by expressyourself4him

The Bible kindly suggests that retirement is not an option, with always another calling to consider.  As life expectancy was altered following the introduction of sin by Adam and Eve, things changed.  Thus, as earth’s atmosphere shifted from an Open Canopy to what it is today after the flood, people needed to rely on families as age took its toll on human bodies.  Those without a family were at the mercy of strangers and the needy to survive.

When Naomi heard in Moab that the LORD had come to the aid of his people by providing food for them, she and her daughters-in-law prepared to return home from there, Ruth 1:6.

In the Old Testament, it was custom for harvesters to leave some of their crops for the poor.  Typically, the area along the edges of property lines was not picked clean, giving the less fortunate a place to pick up something to eat.  Thus, if you were desperate enough, this is where you would go if you wanted food.  Although times have changed, today individuals in need try to find a busy intersection where the wealthy may pass by in a nice vehicle.

And Ruth the Moabite said to Naomi, “Let me go to the fields and pick up the leftover grain behind anyone in whose eyes I find favor.” Naomi said to her, “Go ahead, my daughter,” Ruth 2:2.

A modern parable of the Good Samaritan is written daily as those moved or touched stop to offer a couple of dollars here or there.  Yet, is this the right decision or should God’s people take a more proactive role?  Perhaps, taking this person to lunch like the Samaritan in Luke 10:25-37 is a better alternative.  While this act of love is difficult for me, its what any loving family member would do for a relative.  Therefore, don’t just limit your kindness to those you know.  Rather, extend Christ’s love to strangers and the needy.

by Jay Mankus

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To Roam or Rule

Posted on June 7, 2016 by expressyourself4him

The great thing about free will is that individuals are not coerced into doing something they don’t want to do.  Rather, each day you have the option to roam or rule.  The first is accomplished by sight, allowing wandering eyes to guide you, often in a self-seeking manner.  The second is exercised by faith, becoming a kingdom man or woman, by finishing the work God has called you to do.

Christ made known to us the mystery of his will according to his good pleasure, which he purposed in Christ, Ephesians 1:9.

Depending upon your degree or level of faith, its not uncommon for someone to go back and forth between roaming and ruling.  As darkness approaches, hope can be lost causing many to take the reigns.  Yet, as people come to their senses, the Holy Spirit awakens souls to rule and reign in the authority delegated to Christ like believers.  For the average person, this roller coaster ride lasts a lifetime, full of twists, turns and strange occurrences.

Being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus, Philippians 1:6.

In my moments of greatest uncertainty, I cling to promise above.  I don’t always know what God wants me to do, but I do know there is still work to accomplish.  Thus, with all my heart, soul and mind, I press on hoping I am on the right track.  Although, I still may roam from time to time, I pray that the Lord will guide me to rule, keeping in step with the next assignment God wants me to complete.

by Jay Mankus

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The Departed

Posted on June 6, 2016 by expressyourself4him

While the term departed usually refers to the deceased, depart has a slightly different meaning.  When you remove the ed, this word applies to an individual who abandons, deserts or exits the current path that they are on.  Thus, the question arises, what causes someone to deviate from the life they cherish.

Some have departed from these and have turned to meaningless talk, 1 Timothy 1:6.

Unfortunately, it doesn’t take much to distract the average person from vanishing off the straight and narrow.  Jesus refers to a broad road that leads to destruction.  Meanwhile, the apostle Paul takes a different angle.  As a believer begins to waver in their faith, conversation is an obvious indicator.  The longer someone goes without tapping into prayer or plugging into God’s Word, the sooner meaningless talk will approach.

“Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it,” Matthew 7:13.

The point of this blog is to be careful that you don’t get lured into a false sense of security.  Whether you are currently standing tall or on the verge of indulging into sinful pleasures, it doesn’t take much to fall away.  Therefore, be wise in the choices and decisions that you make or you may be the next unlikely candidate to depart from the faith.

by Jay Mankus

 

 

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Keeping Your Heads Held High

Posted on June 5, 2016 by expressyourself4him

After a fairly successful coaching career over the past 20 years in youth sports, I find myself with my greatest task to date.  After a couple of coaches bailed, I have volunteered to help a developmental baseball team at the 13-15 year old level.  Unfortunately, every opponent so far has been much more advanced, leading to lop-sided results.  Thus, at this point all I can do is encourage the players to keep their heads held high.

Therefore, since Christ suffered in his body, arm yourselves also with the same attitude, because whoever suffers in the body is done with sin, 1 Peter 4:1.

You don’t have to play sports to experienced being smeared or creamed.  Depending upon who you are, what you do or where you work, its not uncommon to come in contact with far superior individuals.  If these people carry an attitude, ego or pride, its easy to feel helpless, overwhelmed and unqualified.  Yet, even if you’re staring failure in the face, its essential to keep your head held high, knowing you gave your best effort.

As a result, they do not live the rest of their earthly lives for evil human desires, but rather for the will of God, 1 Peter 4:2.

The latter is the most crucial element in times of failure.  Knowing you are beaten is one thing.  However, the moment you give up mentally, its not worth even competing anymore.  Sure, human nature will tempt those who have gotten use to losing.  Nonetheless, those who cling to perseverance will be rewarded in the end.  You might not see progress right away, but the Lord will honor and lift up those who keep their head held high.

by Jay Mankus

 

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Graduating on to the Next Phase in Life

Posted on June 4, 2016 by expressyourself4him

Commencement refers to the time when something begins.  Thus, every spring colleges and high schools hand out degrees and diplomas for completing a required set of courses.  After these ceremonies end, its time for individuals to begin their next phase in life.  Subsequently, as my oldest son graduates today its time for James to prepare himself for Liberty University and possibly a spot as a pole vaulter at the Division 1 level.

When Jesus was twelve years old, they went up to the festival, according to the custom, Luke 2:42.

One of the 4 gospels suggests Jesus celebrated a bar-mitzvah after becoming a teenager.  The Jewish faith continues this tradition today, giving young men and women an opportunity to publicly share what they have learned about the Torah.  Thus, Jesus was able to teach about the Word of God at the synagogue for the first time in Luke 2.  However, Jesus waited 17 more years before beginning his three year ministry on earth.

When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I put the ways of childhood behind me, 1 Corinthians 13:11.

Perhaps, the apostle Paul was reflecting upon his own bar-mitzvah in the passage above.  Regardless of the context, modern churches offer those who seek the Lord a chance to complete their confirmation.  Essentially, this year long process or longer in some denominations, encourages boys and girls to take ownership of their faith.  At the end of this process, like graduation, its time keep in step with the Holy Spirit, Galatians 5:25.  Whether someone is going off to college, participating in a mission trip or starting a new career, the time has arrived to graduate on to the next phase in life.

by Jay Mankus

 

 

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The DNA of Sin

Posted on June 3, 2016 by expressyourself4him

Deoxyribonucleic acid is the hereditary material within human beings.  These molecules provide genetic instructions for growth, development, function and reproduction.  Although each DNA is unique, genetics are passed down through parents from generation to generation.  However, this does not excuse behavior as free will is exercised for the good and bad decisions made.

You may be sure that such people are warped and sinful; they are self-condemned, Titus 3:11.

According to the apostle Paul, some individuals possess the DNA of sin.  Perhaps, some individuals possess a greater tendency to commits acts of disobedience than others.  Yet, like anything in life, the deeper you get attached or addicted to something, the further away from God you become.  Thus, whether its DNA or disobedience, be careful with the choices you make.

The heart is deceitful above all things and beyond cure. Who can understand it? – Jeremiah 17:9

One of the Old Testament prophets points to another factor.  Jeremiah reveals that the human heart can become like a poison that spreads throughout the entire body.  This disease is what the Bible calls sin.  Unfortunately, there is no known cure.  Nonetheless, the medication necessary to overcome this dire situation is the grace of God.  Therefore, whether you are walking in darkness, standing in the light or somewhere in between, may the power of the Holy Spirit help you overcome the DNA of sin.

by Jay Mankus

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