Tag Archives: apologize

Paper or Plastic?

Back in the early 1980’s, the grass roots movement of recycling began.  This influenced groceries stores to give consumers a choice as environmentalists pressured chain stores to avoid cutting down trees.  Instead of double bagging heavy items, customers were encouraged to use plastic over paper.  Today, plastic has prevailed putting news papers on the verge of extinction.

Starting a quarrel is like breaching a dam; so drop the matter before a dispute breaks out, Proverbs 17:14.

Those major news papers that remain are on life support.  Why, you may ask?  Well. earlier in the week, one business apologized to subscribers due to the unfair treatment of Donald Trump during the 2016 Presidential Election.  On the same day, there were 17 negative stories printed demonizing the Donald Trump; none were positive.  Meanwhile, following the Republican National Convention, another paper hired 30 journalists to dig up dirt on Donald Trump.  Perhaps, this may explain why readers are now choosing social media over the print media.

Eloquent lips are unsuited to a godless fool— how much worse lying lips to a ruler! – Proverbs 17:7.

Sooner or later, the American public is going to turn a deaf ear from dishonesty.  It doesn’t take much to discern someone who is real from a phony individual.  Like plastic, these imitations will be exposed.  Unfortunately, when context, the facts and truth is distorted, gossip has turned into reality poisoning the minds of many Americans.  Its sad that many have rejected Donald Trump as president without ever serving a day in office.  Yet, then again if making America great again involves putting paper in the form of cash into people’s pockets, perhaps the narrative will change.  Until then prayer for our future leaders so that give will breath life into a country falling apart.

by Jay Mankus

 

The Anti-Agitation Formula

When you find yourself churning, stirring or tossing, the signs of agitation are near.  Before a full emotion outburst occurs, irritation builds and builds prior to exploding.  Whenever I’m cranky or tired, the conditions for agitation are ideal.  Thus, if I don’t react quickly, those around me will feel the wrath of agitation.

If you bite and devour each other, watch out or you will be destroyed by each other, Galatians 5:15.

Prior to dropping off my oldest son James at college last weekend, I didn’t get enough sleep.  Thus, after a long drive on Thursday and getting lost on Friday, I snapped.  I couldn’t keep my frustration in any longer.  Like a volcano, agitation was unleash in an unpleasant display.  I should have known better, but I was careless, skipping my morning time reading the Bible and praying.

Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you, Colossians 3:13.

While there are several passages that deal with agitation, the verse above provides a blue print for overcoming agitation.  First, as soon as you mess up, apologize and confess any wrong doing.  If you’re the victim of agitation, the apostle Paul urges believers to bear with one another.  Despite how painful it may be, forgive others as God forgives you.  When this principle is put into practice, perhaps you will find an anti-agitation formula.

by Jay Mankus

 

 

A New Appreciation for Justice

If you have ever been taken advantage of, wronged or violated, a part of you cries out for justice.  As for me I recall one of my final days in college.  While driving to see a friend play in a tennis match, a car went through a red light, side swiped my front end and took off my license plate.  Immediately, the driver apologized and told me it was his fault as a crowd of students gathered around the intersection.  Trusting this individual, I told the witnesses to go home.  Unfortunately, when the cops arrived, this man’s demeanor changed and so did his story.

Although there wasn’t significant damage to my car, the evidence suggested to the police that the man in the other car was to blame.  However, since I sent the eyewitnesses home before talking to the police, it was my word against his.  Could a college student be more honest than an adult with a flawless driving record?  This stalemate led to a trip to traffic court to see whether or not justice would be served.  Despite spewing out the biggest pile of manure during his testimony, aggravating the 2 officers I sat next to, the judge acquitted this postal worker of any wrong doing.

The frustration I felt was similar to some of the Psalms of David, questioning God when the wicked prospered.  Calming my emotions was difficult, wondering why this event had to occur to me.  Until you have something like this happen to you, justice is just another word.  Despite this setback, passages such as Psalm 9:1-7 provide a glimmer of hope, a day when the wrong will be made right.  A few years ago, I was the eyewitness who hung around so when the driver at fault tried to lie, I was there to inform the cops of what really happened.  Therefore, the next time you endure, feel or see injustice, ask the Lord to fill you with a new appreciation for justice.

by Jay Mankus

 

Potty Mouth

If you are honest with yourself, we have all had a regretful moment in reflecting, “I can’t believe I just said that!”  At times in life, often unexpected, the strangest things come out of our mouths.  This is likely the context of Psalm 59:12, when mere words become like venom, filling ears with poison and contaminating the souls of children.

There was a time, not so long ago when communities helped police themselves.  Adult figures served as guardians, instilling character within neighborhoods.  If a child ever publicly cursed, displayed disrespect or harmed another kid, parents would immediate intervene, forcing this individual to apologize and vow never to do this act again.

Today, the fear of confrontation, law suits and a gradual decay within society has led to an epidemic of sins of the mouth.  Whether you are at your local mall, walking through a park or catching a quote family show on television, put downs, 4 letter words and F-bombs have become common place.  Garbage in, garbage out has impacted children under the age of 10, spewing out what they hear, without any regard to listening ears.

The Bible’s diagnosis of this problem places the blame on the human heart, Jeremiah 17:9.  According to Jesus, the heart serves as a storage center, absorbing up good and bad things, Luke 6:45.  Vocabulary is simply a byproduct of what your heart has accumulated.  Therefore, if you want to stop these sins before they roll off your tongue, guard your heart for it is the well spring of life, Proverbs 4:23.  Replace these sins of the mouth with the peace of Christ, Colossians 3:15-17.

by Jay Mankus

Putting God on Hold

In an attempt to upgrade my faith during the month of March, I have uncovered a poor mannerism.  When you blow off friends by failing to respond to instant messages, texts or calls, relationships become strained.  Unless you quickly apologize, you might not keep the friendships you possess.  Unfortunately, I have developed a pattern of this behavior, not with people, but with God.

After a time of prayer and Bible reading each morning, I am swayed by the Holy Spirit to either read another chapter, do research on an interesting topic or write a blog based upon something I learned.  As I try to prioritize my time with my used golf ball business, coaching baseball and trying to find a full-time job, I find myself putting God on hold for hours.  Before I realize it, I’m tired, its getting late and I still haven’t taken God off hold mode, giving lip service without any action.

Fortunately, I serve a God of second chances, giving me a fresh start every morning, Lamentations 3:23.  Like the father in the parable of the prodigal son, God is looking out for us on his front porch, waiting for our return, Luke 15:20.  Therefore, take out your ear plugs, Psalm 38:13-15, listen for the knocks, Revelation 3:20 and make a reservation with God today before distractions lead you to put God on hold for yet another day.

by Jay Mankus