Tag Archives: Bethany Hamilton

The Land of Lost Love

Posted on January 27, 2013 by expressyourself4him

Pink Floyd once sang about what I feel in my heart today in their song Comfortably Numb.  The 4th stanza’s lyrics express the following: “There is no pain you are receding; A distant ship’s smoke on the horizon; You are only coming through in waves; Your lips move, But I can’t hear what you’re saying.”  My issue is not with words.  Rather, my concern is with a lack of action.  After reading Proverbs 17 this morning, I am left to question, where has all the love gone in America?

According to verse 9, anyone who covers over an offense promotes love.  Unfortunately, what I watch on television or experience in life is another story.  Reality Television series ratings seem to skyrocket when cursing, drama and fights are portrayed.  While a friend is suppose to love at all times, Proverbs 17:17, back stabbing, gossip and trash talking appear to sell, making Hollywood millions of dollars each year.  Meanwhile, family value shows are becoming extinct or cast off like Marshall, Will and Holly into the Land of the Lost.

The only kind of love I regularly see is eros, the Greek word for sensual or sexual love.  Every time I go to buy groceries, magazines surround the checkout counter, filling your mind with unwholesome thoughts if you’re not careful.  Philia, the Greek word for brotherly love pops its head up from time to time.  People like Tim Tebow, Bethany Hamilton and communities like Ocean City, New Jersey keep this kind of love alive.  However, agape, translated unconditional love is even vanishing from churches.  Grudges, power hungry individuals and unforgiveness is stripping Christianity from its main attraction.

Instead of living in a land of love, crushed spirits continue to reign, Proverbs 17:22.  In the absence of a cheerful heart, the medicine people seek is missing, awol, absent without love.  If there ever was a time for the fulfillment of Ezekiel 22:30, the time is now.  Who will stand in the gap of a unloving world and love the unlovable?  If someone doesn’t act quickly, we might all become comfortably numb.  Developing a Philippians 4:8-9 mindset is a good place to start.  The rest depends on how well people live out the Bible.  Choose agape love today!

by Jay Mankus

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I Can’t Do Anything

Posted on January 26, 2013 by expressyourself4him

After rededicating my life to God during the second semester of my freshmen year of college, everything gradually fell back into place for me.  Every position I applied for except for one I received, in some cases having to decline offers.  From 1988-2010, life seemed easy, like I could do anything I put my mind to.  When the school I was teaching for began to struggle financially and eventually was sold during the school year, I actually thought I would make a smooth transition to another career.  Unfortunately, almost one year later, I was dead wrong!

When you are blessed with many talents, sometimes you get over confident or don’t work as hard as you are use to like first round draft picks in professional sports.  Then again, technology has drastically changed from the days of Cad, MS-Dos and Word Perfect when I graduated from the University of Delaware.  Anyway, I have gone from thinking I could do anything to a fear I can’t do anything right.  Solomon was right when he said, “humility comes before honor,” Proverbs 16:33b.  I just hope the humility part of my life has come to an end or is about to conclude.

As for now, its back to the drawing board.  Instead of having a touch of gold, my cover letters and resumes have turned into fools gold.  Despite these setbacks, I am laying in prayers of friends and relying on the words of Scripture to slowly restore my self-confidence.  However, I am no longer naive about my current state.  Alone, I can’t do anything but try, cry and try again,  In the long run, Proverbs 16:9 will determine where I land or where I fall.  Bethany Hamilton was right in Soul Surfer, quoting Philippians 4:13 numerous times.  With Christ I can do something, exactly what my next career is, only God knows.

I’ll let Bernie Taupin close this one out with his song sung by Elton John, “I’m Still Standing.”

You could never know what it’s like
Your blood like winter freezes just like ice
And there’s a cold lonely light that shines from you
You’ll wind up like the wreck you hide behind that mask you use
And did you think this fool could never win
Well look at me, I’m coming back again
I got a taste of love in a simple way
And if you need to know while I’m still standing you just fade away
Don’t you know I’m still standing better than I ever did
Looking like a true survivor, feeling like a little kid
I’m still standing after all this time

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More Power

Posted on December 2, 2012 by expressyourself4him

As I was watching a rerun of Crimson Tide today, I am reminded of the impact Star Trek has had on Generation X.  Denzel Washington uses a famous line from this series to inspire Vossler, an electronic specialist, to regain radio transmission of their sub as soon as possible to avert a nuclear war.  Whenever Captain Kirk, played by William Shatner in Star Trek, felt the U.S.S. Enterprise was in danger, he would contact Scottie, asking for more power to engage warp speed to dodge trouble.

Since I have spent the last 6 days working the night shift, I have been in warp speed mode.  During this fast paced week, I have been  lethargic, lacking the spiritual power I need to remain rock solid in my faith.  While the Bible was only a few steps away, my body seemed paralyzed, unable to reach out, open the Word up and begin reading.  Meanwhile, prayer was just a breath away, but my transmission between God and I failed.  Thus, I am in desperate need of an infusion, like the Jeff Deyo song More Love, More Power.

The former lead singer of Sonic Flood, Jeff Deyo reveals that more power is available through worshiping the Lord Jesus Christ.  According to Psalm 149, praise has a generating effect on our body, sparking dancing, rejoicing and singing.  When you initiate a relationship with Jesus, Romans 10:9-10, the power of the Holy Spirit produces a life altering result, Romans 8:1-4.  Therefore, if you are experiencing a power outage or spiritual shortage like me this week, don’t be discouraged.  Claim the promise of Philippians 4:13 like Bethany Hamilton in Soul Surfer and God will provide a wave to guide you safely to shore!

by Jay Mankus

an honest servant of Christ

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The Force

Posted on July 25, 2012 by expressyourself4him

I am not referring to Yoda, Luke Skywalker or the cast of Jedi Knights in the 6 Star Wars movies.  Rather, I want to focus on a different force.  This force is unseen, a supernatural power found in the Greek word arete.

Arete appears in 1 Peter 2:9, a famous passage which is quote frequently.  This word has many meanings like excellencies, manliness, valor and superiority.  However, in the Greek Lexicon, based upon the context of 1 Peter 2:9 arete is describing a force or energy of the Holy Spirit.

While all religions possess a certain power for their followers, nothing compares to the power of the Holy Spirit, Galatians 5:22-25.  Peter is speaking about the power of declaring praises to God in 1 Peter 2:9.  When an individual gives God the credit for a victory in life or testifies about Philippians 4:13 like Bethany Hamilton, the arete accompanies you.  The best way to explain this is through Deuteronomy 28:1-2 which paints a picture of blessings.  If you are feeling powerless today, don’t forget the arete, the force of the Holy Spirit.

by Jay Mankus

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Bouncing Back

Posted on July 7, 2012 by expressyourself4him

Last night my 12 U All-Star team drew the defending state champions of Delaware in the first round of seeding play.  During the 2011 tournament, we scored a total of 5 runs in 2 games against this team.  However, after winning the coin toss for the home team, we took control early, taking a 3-1 lead through 2 innings.

As the saying goes, there are several ebbs and flows in a game, but this one was more like a free fall.  When the strike zone shrunk, walks followed quickly, leading to runs, hits, errors and 2 pitching changes.  After the dust settled, we found ourselves down 23-4.  Although we loaded the bases 3 times in 4 innings, that elusive hit never came as their solid defense sent us home early 23-6.

In life, errors are called sin, moral mistakes people make on a daily basis.  Some people easily bounce back from a poor choice, bad decision or habitual habit.  Meanwhile, others continue falling into unhealthy patterns, like a downward spiral until the game of life is over.  The apostle Paul talks about this battle in Romans 7:7-25.  After any loss, its easy to give up hope that you will ever see another victory in life.  However, with Christ, all things are possible, Philippians 4:13, including bouncing back like Bethany Hamilton does in the movie Soul Surfer.

by Jay Mankus

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