Tag Archives: beach

Vanished

Posted on December 20, 2022 by expressyourself4him

If you have ever lost something valuable in life, certain things seem to vanish. When I was a child, I asked my parents if I could hold the money for a local ice-cream shop at the beach. On the final night of our vacation, I was given the cash for everyone’s ice-cream. I remember grasping it tight, walking with my hands in my pocket. Yet, when I went to pull the money out of my pocket, it was gone. Despite desperately retracing my steps, the money vanished from sight, blown by the wind into the night.

And Enoch walked [in habitual fellowship] with God; and he was not, for God took him [home with Him], Genesis 5:24.

One New Testament author speaks of Enoch, living seven generations from Adam, Jude 1:14. The author of Hebrews includes this same individual in the Hall of Faith, Hebrews 11:5-6. According to Moses, one day when Enoch was 365 days old, about 36.5 years old if you consider the Open Canopy Theory which slowed down the aging process from the sun, this man vanished from the face of the earth. There were no milk cartons back then, but if there were his picture would have been on the back of one.

And when they had gone over, Elijah said to Elisha, Ask what I shall do for you before I am taken from you. And Elisha said, I pray you, let a double portion of your spirit be upon me. 10 He said, You have asked a hard thing. However, if you see me when I am taken from you, it shall be so for you—but if not, it shall not be so. 11 As they still went on and talked, behold, a chariot of fire and horses of fire parted the two of them, and Elijah went up by a whirlwind into heaven. 12 And Elisha saw it and he cried, My father, my father! The chariot of Israel and its horsemen! And he saw him no more. And he took hold of his own clothes and tore them in two pieces, 2 Kings 2:9-12.

Jeremiah is much more descriptive when a similar event occurs several hundreds of years later. After Elijah had finished grooming his apprentice Elisha, Jeremiah writes about an event out of a science fiction film. According to Jeremiah, a chariot of fire and horses appeared in the sky. This wasn’t Santa Claus on Christmas Eve, but a spiritual prophet escorted by the Lord into heaven. Enoch and Elijah are the only two individuals who simply vanished from earth, never to experience death. May these two accounts make you a believer in an Almighty God this Christmas season, Romans 10:9-11.

by Jay Mankus

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The Visible Representation of an Invisible God

Posted on May 19, 2021 by expressyourself4him

Visibility is mentioned 8 times in the Bible. Invisible is mentioned 11 times; 4 of which are written by the apostle Paul. In the passage below, Paul eludes to visible signs that most people take for granted. For example, when I visit the beach I like to watch the sun rise over the Atlantic Ocean and set over the Indian River Bay. Yet, when I am at home, I’m consumed by my work schedule and too tired to care about God’s creation on my days off.

For ever since the creation of the world His invisible nature and attributes, that is, His eternal power and divinity, have been made intelligible and clearly discernible in and through the things that have been made (His handiworks). So [men] are without excuse [altogether without any defense or justification], 21 Because when they knew and recognized Him as God, they did not honor and glorify Him as God or give Him thanks. But instead they became futile and godless in their thinking [with vain imaginings, foolish reasoning, and stupid speculations] and their senseless minds were darkened, Romans 1:20-21.

Apparently, members of the Church at Rome were going through the motions. A stale faith was preventing these individuals from seeing the invisible attributes and nature of God. Thus, the passage above serves as a wake up call, a spiritual warning to idle Christians. Paul doesn’t hold back his displeasure, exhorting members of this church to stop making excuses. In other words, open your eyes so that the Holy Spirit will help you can see the Lord at work.

[Now] He is the exact likeness of the unseen God [the visible representation of the invisible]; He is the Firstborn of all creation, Colossians 1:15.

In a letter to the Church at Colosse, Paul unveils that Jesus is the visible representation of an invisible God. Just as one of Jesus’ disciples provides a historical account of His relationship with God, John 1:1-5, Paul builds upon this fact. Putting everything together, Paul describes Jesus as the firstborn of all creation. Just like the man born blind in John 9:6-7 who sees for the very first time, it’s time for Christian’s to slow down, take a look around and see the visible representation of an invisible God.

by Jay Mankus

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When You Can’t Be Trusted

Posted on March 2, 2021 by expressyourself4him

When I was in first grade, I spent a week at my Uncle Eddy’s beach house. Each night my whole family walked to a local ice cream parlor for dessert. On one of our last nights there, I begged my parents to allow me to carry the money. At this time in history, $10 was enough to buy a family of five a waffle cone. I don’t remember if I had a hole in my pocket or simply dropped this bill along the way. Whatever happened, I lost the money and lost the trust of my family on the same night.

He who is faithful in a very little [thing] is faithful also in much, and he who is dishonest and unjust in a very little [thing] is dishonest and unjust also in much. 11 Therefore if you have not been faithful in the [case of] unrighteous mammon (deceitful riches, money, possessions), who will entrust to you the true riches? 12 And if you have not proved faithful in that which belongs to another [whether God or man], who will give you that which is your own [that is, the true riches]? – Luke 16:10-12

One of Jesus’ most famous stories is the Parable of the Talents, Matthew 25:14-30. This is just one of a series of parables that Jesus shares to illustrate what the kingdom of heaven will be like. Meanwhile, Luke records the Parable of the Shrewd Manager. The latter story refers to an individual who had let things slide over time. Like a business on the verge of bankruptcy, this man is forced to act swiftly before losing everything. The moral of this parable is if you can’t be trusted in the little things, God won’t trust you with greater responsibilities in this life.

And he also who had the two talents came forward, saying, Master, you entrusted two talents to me; here I have gained two talents more. 23 His master said to him, Well done, you upright (honorable, [admirable) and faithful servant! You have been faithful and trustworthy over a little; I will put you in charge of much. Enter into and share the joy (the delight, the [e]blessedness) which your master enjoys. 24 He who had received one talent also came forward, saying, Master, I knew you to be a harsh and hard man, reaping where you did not sow, and gathering where you had not winnowed [the grain]. 25 So I was afraid, and I went and hid your talent in the ground. Here you have what is your own, Matthew 25:22-25.

The Parable of the Talents is based upon integrity, doing what’s right when no one is looking. Three servants are left in charge of their master’s finances while he is away, not given a specific time table of his return. While a silver talent is equivalent to  $3,924 and a gold talent $228,900, the point of this story is to seize each day on earth by using your God given gifts. If you are wasting these talents or afraid to fail, this is when God will lose faith in you. Since it’s never too late to change, fan into flame your God given gifts today, 2 Timothy 1:6, before the Lord calls you home.

by Jay Mankus

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Fishing for Grace

Posted on October 11, 2014 by expressyourself4him

Recent studies claim that there are currently about 38 million commercial fishermen worldwide.  Although these numbers have declined due to advances in technology and rising costs, this trade is essential for restaurants and small villages which rely on these people for food.  Since a third of his disciples were fishermen, Jesus weaved fishing themes into analogies, lessons and parables throughout his 3 year ministry on earth.  Perhaps, this combination suggests that desperate souls should start fishing for God’s grace.

Stone inscriptions dating back to 2000 B.C. suggest fishing rods have been in use for more than 4000 years.  According to biblical accounts in the New Testament, professional fishermen relied on nets to catch fish.  On one occasion, 153 large fish were pulled to shore with a net stretched out between 2 boats, John 21:7-11.  Caught up in the moment, Peter ran to shore, astonished by this miraculous moment.  When Peter reached the beach, a resurrected Jesus appeared, starting a fire for an early breakfast.  Once the catch was complete, it was time for Peter to go fishing for grace.

A week earlier, Peter had publicly denied being one of Jesus’ disciples.  During one of their last conversations, Jesus predicted Peter would disown Him.  Fervently refuting Jesus claim, Peter now stood face to face with the man he had betrayed.  This sets the scene for John 21:15-19.  Filled with guilt, remorse and shame, Peter casts a line out to Jesus, hoping for forgiveness.  Jesus’ choice of words is interesting, forcing Peter to fish for grace 3 times.  In the end, Peter is reinstated, experiencing the touch of a Savior’s love and mercy.  If you’re filled with regret, pick up a rod, cast out a prayer and never give up until you find grace.

by Jay Mankus

 

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Where Did the Summer Go?

Posted on August 11, 2014 by expressyourself4him

Boredom, enjoyment and time have a unique connection.  When experiencing something dull or uninteresting, time seems to drag, slowing down to a crawl as you check the clock regularly.  On the other hand, as you indulge in a leisure activity that you love, times often flies by at warp speed.  Perhaps, this may explain where the summer went.

At the end of June, I got the news of my promotion at work.  Initially, time ticked away at a normal pace.  Yet, by the time families book this weekend, plan that weekend and try to fit in some old acquaintances, September is on the horizon.  Unfortunately, the older I become, time appears to vanish, with entire months disappearing from the calendar.  Where did the summer go?  Maybe its stored away in one’s heart, separating the cherished memories from the moments you would like to forget.

As for now, the Lord’s brother provides great advice for those trying to make sense of time, James 4:13-15.  Since today has enough trouble of its own, each soul must savor the remaining days of summer.  Although you may not be able to check off something from your bucket list, a day at the beach, fishing, taking a drive in the country or watching the sunset will certainty relieve stress.  Before Labor Day arrives, soak in the sun while you still have time.  Feel free to share what your favorite summer pastime?

by Jay Mankus

 

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Carrying You

Posted on December 22, 2012 by expressyourself4him

In the famous Footprints poem, Carolyn Joyce  Carty uses a dream of a man walking along a beach barefoot with the Lord.  Looking back, this man sees only one set of footprints at times, not two.  Like the countless who have been touched by this piece, during the difficult times in life, the Lord carries us until we have the strength to walk again.  Nonetheless, I have discovered in 2012 from personal experience, there is so much more involved when God sends angels to carry you.

Prior to this year, I was filled with pride based upon my accomplishments and somewhat stellar career.  Athletically, I have been able to play professional golf, coach for a decade at the high school level and received an invite to play for a professional Ultimate Frisbee Club in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.  From a business sense, I was a manager of the Michael Jordan Golf Shop in O’Hare International Airport, on pace to do 1.1 million in sales under my leadership before I left and a production manager for a prominent Christian company.  Finally, during 15 years of service in youth ministry as a pastor and teacher,God used me to impact the lives of young people.  Yet, in the good times, I took most of the credit, leaving God off stage.  Thus, all of these accolades were stripped away a little over 12 hours into 2012, creating a desperate, humble and weakened man.

Most of my days in 2012 began with a similar prayer, “Lord, I can’t do this without you!”  While I talked a good game the past 25 years, I was forced to daily practice Jesus’ own words in Matthew 11:25-30.  From an emotional sense, I had become like the man in Acts 3:1-5, crippled by broken promises, shattered dreams and unemployment.  Peter didn’t come to my rescue like his words to the beggar in Acts 3:6-7.  Instead, God sent numerous friends at appointed times, facebook messages, phone calls and the occasional angel to lift me up, until I could walk on my own once again.  If you are feeling helpless like I have for most of 2012, exercise the authority available in Christ, Luke 10:19.  This will serve as spiritual physical therapy until God renews your strength, Isaiah 40:30-31.

by Jay Mankus

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