Tag Archives: British Columbia

S.A.N.S. Episode 159: I Believe

Posted on July 9, 2022 by expressyourself4him

Today’s song comes from a group of four individuals who met in Vancouver, British Columbia. Hokus Pick or the extended name Hokus Pick Maneuver was formed shortly afterward. Hokus Pick is best known for using their quirky sense of humor which is reflected in their music. Prior to his death, Rich Mullins made a guest appearance on I Believe.

 For God so greatly loved and dearly prized the world that He [even] gave up His only begotten ([d]unique) Son, so that whoever believes in (trusts in, clings to, relies on) Him shall not perish (come to destruction, be lost) but have eternal (everlasting) life. 17 For God did not send the Son into the world in order to judge (to reject, to condemn, to pass sentence on) the world, but that the world might find salvation and be made safe and sound through Him, John 3:16-17.

The lyrics of I Believe echo the words of Jesus in the passage above. This acoustic based tune is completed with lyrics based upon personal testimonies of the band members who sing about how they came to faith. This ballad offers soft rock with a wholesome message similar to what you would find in the Apostle’s Creed.

by Jay Mankus

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When You’re Just Not Good Enough

Posted on October 21, 2021 by expressyourself4him

When I left my position as a full time youth director Indiana 27 years ago, I wasn’t sure of what to do or where to go. The months that followed were a blur until a served on a Walk to Emmaus Retreat. Since I was in the kitchen, I didn’t have much interaction until a clown presentation gave me a clear direction of my next step. After proposing to Leanne, God called me to play professional golf in a vision the next day.

But the Scriptures [picture all mankind as sinners] shut up and imprisoned by sin, so that [the inheritance, blessing] which was promised through faith in Jesus Christ (the Messiah) might be given (released, delivered, and committed) to [all] those who believe [who adhere to and trust in and rely on Him], Galatians 3:22.

Subsequently, I spent the rest of 1994 and the first six months of 1995 pursuing this dream. After lowering my handicap to a 2, I joined the Tommy Armour Tour in Florida and received an invitation to the PGA Qualifying School on the Canadian Tour in British Columbia. Despite determination, dedication and discipline, I couldn’t put 9 holes together, let alone 18. While it was hard to admit, I simply wasn’t good enough.

Now before the faith came, we were perpetually guarded under the Law, kept in custody in preparation for the faith that was destined to be revealed (unveiled, disclosed), 24 So that the Law served [a][to us Jews] as our trainer [our guardian, our guide to Christ, to lead us] until Christ [came], that we might be justified (declared righteous, put in right standing with God) by and through faith, Galatians 3:23-24.

The Bible sends a similar message whether human beings like it or not. No matter how hard you try to be perfect as suggested in Matthew 5:48, a generational condition will prevent you from doing the right thing all the time, Deuteronomy 24:16. According to Exodus 34:7, the sins of a father is passed down to as many as four generations. Therefore, anytime you seek to pursue perfection, the human condition just isn’t good enough. Yet, it’s this spiritual state that makes everyone in desperate need of a Savior.

by Jay Mankus

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When the Storms of Life Come Crashing through Your Front Door

Posted on May 1, 2020 by expressyourself4him

At this stage in life, I consider myself blessed. From an early age, I’ve had opportunities to travel throughout the United States. From the scenic views of Arcadia National Park in Maine to the palm trees of Miami Beach, these trips have sketched wonderful memories in my mind. As I have grown older, I have gone from the Rocky Mountains in British Columbia all the way to southern California to watch the sunset over the Pacific Ocean. Whenever you travel a lot, you’re exposed to different types of climate and weather phenomena. Throughout my half century on earth, I’ve survived blizzards, earthquakes, hurricanes, northeasters and tornadoes. One of my first brushes with a natural disaster occurred while on vacation as a child.

For we know that if the tent which is our earthly home is destroyed (dissolved), we have from God a building, a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens, 2 Corinthians 5:1.

One summer in Maine, my two sisters and I got stuck in a hail storm, running for cover with our hand over our heads. The cabin my parents rented shook, the lights went out and hail continue to crash upon the roof. An hour later, we went out to check for damage. Apparently, a water spout crossed the lake and took out a neighbor’s house. Until today, I was one of the lucky ones, unaffected by nature’s wrath. As I was running to my car to escape the rain, I noticed a few shingles laying in my front yard. Looking back, an entire section of my sliding above my front door was ripped off and missing, exposing 2 pieces of plywood. With another inch of rain expected tonight, only God knows what the total damage will be.

For while we are still in this tent, we groan under the burden and sigh deeply (weighed down, depressed, oppressed)—not that we want to put off the body (the clothing of the spirit), but rather that we would be further clothed, so that what is mortal (our dying body) may be swallowed up by life [after the resurrection], 2 Corinthians 5:4.

If this would have happened at any other time in my life, I would have been angry, frustrated and stressed out about the cost of this damage. Yet, my first thought was, “I guess it was my time to tackle adversity.” A few years ago a micro burst picked up our trampoline, struck two fences and was thrown into a neighbor’s yard, but our house was spared. Perspective has a way of revealing what matters, my wife and children are fine. Thus, while I’ll have to dig into savings to quickly restore this damage, this nuisance will soon past. Therefore, if the next weather system comes crashing through your front door, remember to praise God as you go through this spiritual storm.

by Jay Mankus

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Not To Us O Lord

Posted on June 6, 2013 by expressyourself4him

 

The seagulls in Finding Nemo illustrate the problem with most individuals today.  Cries for mine, mine, mine take our eyes off of to whom and for whom this life on earth is meant.  Thus, instead of praying not to us O Lord, each soul appears to be seeking credit, fame and glory due their name.

After spending the last 100 plus days reading one Psalm a day, it is clear from these chapters why God created man and woman.  Words like ordained in Psalm 8:2 suggest human beings were established to praise the Lord.  Psalm 33:1 uses the expression “it is fitting,” confirming mankind’s purpose to acknowledge God as the giver of life.  While I haven’t reached this passage on my current journey, Psalm 150:6 insures believers that they are on the right track by praising the Lord.


On Monday, June 3rd, 2013, the Golf Channel held their second ever Golf’s Longest Day.  Programming included hourly updates of United States Open Sectional Qualifying, held at several different locations throughout the country.  Several hundred amateur and professional golfers were fighting for 57 spots at 10 locations, hoping to earn the right to play at Merion Golf Club in Ardmore, Pennsylvania.  As this 36 hole tournament drew to a close, highlights of play as well as interviews of the qualifiers aired.

 Since I am a former assistant golf professional, played in a few mini-tour player events and tried to qualify for the Canadian P.G.A. Tour at Q-School on Vancouver  Island in British Columbia, this coverage intrigued me.  While rooting for Sam Saunders, Scott Stallings and Ryan Palmer, all losing in sudden death playoffs, a relatively unknown got my attention.  Josh Teater, a member of the PGA tour placed second in the Columbus, Ohio sectional.  Instead of stealing the spotlight, Teater gave God the glory for his success.  Well done Josh, thanks for reminding the world,” Not to us, O Lord, not to us, but to your name be the glory,” Psalm 115:1.

by Jay Mankus

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Look to Him, Not to Us

Posted on February 26, 2013 by expressyourself4him

When you are young, its easy to take for granted the places you visit and family vacations you experience.  As an adult, I am learning to appreciate each special opportunity the Lord grants me, one day at a time.  This morning I awoke early, before the crack of dawn, reminiscing about some of the greatest worship moments I have ever encountered.

Singing One Bread, One Body prior to communion at my first Walk to Emmaus weekend still gives me goosebumps.  The Community gatherings at Willow Creek in Chicago I attended every Wednesday night for a year combined immaculate worship with the teaching of John Ortberg.  The rock concert at The Church of the Open Door in Minnesota during my youth ministry trade school in the Twin Cities gave me an idea of the intensity one must bring to fully worship God.  However, this past weekend while visiting Vineyard Christian Fellowship on Appleton Road in Landenburg, Pennsylvania, I felt as if I was in the presence of the most high.

Psalm 100:1 was the inspiration behind the song Shout to the Lord.  The following verse, Psalm 100:2 calls people to make a joyful noise.  However, there is a temptation for worship leaders to think, “look at me, don’t I have a great voice?”  As a karaoke enthusiast, I spent several summer evenings in college hanging out with friends at a local night club, often singing 4 songs prior to leaving.  When you were good, the crowd went crazy following your last line.  If you weren’t, like me, I felt like a professional golfer receiving a subtle clap of applause.  My high point of Karaoke came at the 1995 Canadian P.G.A. Tour Qualifying School on Vancouver Island hosted by Morningstar Golf Club.

After a poor opening round, shooting in the 80’s, I went to a local sports bar in Nanaimo to drown my sorrows.  Since most singers were distracted by the NHL playoffs, plastered on a dozen televisions, volunteers for Karaoke were slim.  Instead of drinking, I used singing as a vehicle for healing.  To my surprise, I nailed Can’t Fight This Feeling by REO Speedwagon, actually hitting every note on cue.  As I handed my microphone off, the place erupted.  Thinking the Canucks, Vancouver’s professional hockey team, had just scored a goal, I turned to the nearest set to see what I just missed, trying to catch a replay.  To my amazement, the audience was cheering for me, praising me for my performance.

The message God placed on my heart over and over this morning is “Look to Him, not to us!”  Since I haven’t had much success singing, the temptation to steal credit from God isn’t there.  However, there are other areas, venues in which I have stolen the limelight from the Lord.  David reminds us in Psalm 16:2 that apart from God we can do nothing.  Therefore, whether you are leading worship for your church, fulfilling the duties of your occupation or fanning into flame your spiritual gift, look to Jesus for strength, 2 Corinthians 12:9.  By demonstrating biblical principle, other  people will start looking to Him, not to us, 1 Thessalonians 4:11-12.

by Jay Mankus

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