Tag Archives: affairs

When True Love Waits…

Posted on September 19, 2015 by expressyourself4him

While Tim Tebow was a member of the Philadelphia Eagles during training camp this past summer, members of the media took their usually jabs at Tim’s flawed throwing motion.  Local talk radio went a little further, making fun at Tebow’s decision to hold off having sex until he’s married.  Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson has faced similar criticism after publicly vowing to let true love wait until his honeymoon.

We love because Jesus first loved us, 1 John 4:19.

When true love doesn’t wait words aren’t spoken out loud, yet mummers and whispers can be heard around most street corners.  Affairs, one night stands and single moms are left to think of what could have been, often stuck raising a child or several kids on their own.  A moment of lust, prolonged flirting or a late night rendezvous can leave of legacy of regret.  If only temptation could have been brushed aside by allowing true love to wait.

So now faith, hope, and love abide, these three; but the greatest of these is love, 1 Corinthians 13:13.

In these times, there are too many avenues which promote sex.  Advertisements, commercials and adult content once kept for after dark is now out in the open, just a click away from children’s eyes and ears.  As the traditional family fades, only a few brave souls remain outspoken, not ashamed of their religious stance.  With Tim and Russell setting good examples for young men to follow, perhaps a whole new generation will begin the quest to allow true love to wait.

by Jay Mankus

 

 

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Now I’ve Seen Everything

Posted on September 14, 2014 by expressyourself4him

During the Clinton Administration, 1993-2001, America citizens were less intrusive.  When rumors of affairs, murmurs of  sexual misconduct and witnesses of past improprieties began to come forward, many people protested, claiming the president has a right to his own privacy.  The talking points in the media were clear, “as long as you work hard, give your all each day, everyone, including the president of the United States has the freedom to do what they want on their own time.”  As Dorothy proclaimed to her dog Toto upon landing in Oz, “we’re definitely not in Kansas anymore!”

This is how I felt last night while driving home from work when I heard the news Adrian Peterson, star running back for the NFL’s Minnesota Vikings was arrested for spanking his child.  After one of his children pushed another out of the way while playing on a swing seat, Peterson choose to discipline his son, following in the footsteps of his parents.  Maybe he got carried away, but Adrian was simply trying to practice a biblical principle, Proverbs 22:6.  Surely, the state of Texas would understand this?  At least in the past they did, yet not now and not today in this culture of chaos.

If Adrian is guilty, then maybe the authorities need to go after the founders of Scared Straight and Beyond Scared Straight?  I’m kidding!  Remember when you could tell a joke, say something funny or sarcastic and not have to worry about the social police from shutting you down.  Anyway, my point is that spanking is a form of scared straight, associating pain with punishment.  My father used a paddle with a steel insert from his college fraternity.  As a former college football player, sure my butt was paddled a few times, yet I was a quick learner, acknowledging the importance of honoring your father and mother.  I’m not sure what’s next nor can I recommend a clear cut solution.  Nonetheless, now that I’ve seen everything, I sense Jesus’ return is closer than its ever been before.

by Jay Mankus

 

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Inches From Adultery

Posted on September 7, 2014 by expressyourself4him

In a chapter entitled, Anatomy of Adultery, Dr. James Dobson addresses a shocking trend in America.  Although men were more guilty of committing adultery in previous decades, today married women 29 years of age and younger have turned the tables on their spouses, indulging in significantly more affairs than men.  Another study from Dr. Kelly Bonewell reveals 4 out of 10 Americans believe adultery is morally acceptable.  If this is true, many adults are inches away from adultery.

The topic of adultery is nothing new.  During his famous Sermon on the Mount, Jesus threw a curve ball to those in attendance.  Formerly regarded as something only a married man or woman could commit, Jesus introduces a spiritual element to adultery in Matthew 5:27-30.  This perspective has no limitations, including all ages, who are also vulnerable to temptation.  Adultery isn’t just a sin, its a byproduct of lust.  Therefore, if flirting gives birth to lust, James 1:13-15, even Christians can draw close, inches away from adultery.

The first time I read Jesus’ comments in Matthew 5:29-30, I thought He was being unreasonable.  However, once I did a little research, I discovered Jesus was referencing the Old Testament principle of purging.  When someone removes the atmosphere, environment and traces of lust, thoughts of adultery will fade from their minds.  However, if you put yourself into a compromising position one too many times, the line will be crossed so that inches become reality.  May the words of 1 Thessalonians 4:3-8 serve as a warning before its too late to alter history.

by Jay Mankus

 

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Cracked Mirrors

Posted on March 2, 2013 by expressyourself4him

Before the popular video game, Halo was actually a Christian Metal band from Alabama, named after the acronym Heavenly Angelic Light Orchestra.  Relatively unknown for a decade touring in the south, Halo received national attention in 1991 with their song entitled My Buddy.  This songs illustrates how a son seeks to emulate their father like a mirror.

My buddy sees believing
my buddy sees before
and my buddy is a mirror
hanging on the wall
my buddy sees beside him
and my buddy hears the talk
and my buddy will see Jesus
lead me as i walk

(2nd stanza)

Unfortunately, what children often hear and see from their parents is life altering.   Abuse, abandonment, affairs and hypocrisy are just a few factors which have left cracked mirrors for children to put back together.  According to The Gospel Coalition, divorce rates among Christian families vary depending upon an individual’s dedication to God.  Among those families most devoted to Christ, divorces rates are roughly 20%.  On the other hand, those who relationships with Jesus waver, divorce rates can approach 60%.  According to a former Liberty University case study, the families that pray together stay together with 1 out every 1,024 praying couples divorcing.

Although this number is encouraging, cracked mirrors are swaying high school students to abandon their faith in college.  Several studies are revealing 60% of evangelical students put their faith on hold while attending college and nearly 50% never return to church following graduation.  When parents, myself included, send a mixed message to our children, living a fully devoted life for Jesus doesn’t appear or seem worth their time or energy.  The apostle Paul provides a solution for these shattered mirrors in 1 Corinthians 13:11-12.  Parents must begin to put aside their childish ways and begin to act like mature followers of Christ, Ephesians 5:1-2.  Jesus is the glue which can restore our cracked mirrors.

by Jay Mankus

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