Tag Archives: David and the Giants

Letting Go… Reaching Forward… Pressing On

Posted on January 10, 2023 by expressyourself4him

Mark Lowry introduced me to the concept of Letting go of my life by trusting God through one of his Comedy and Music albums. A few years later, David and the Giants released Let Go and Let God. Similar to Carrie Underwood’s song Jesus Take the Wheel, letting go means to yield total control of your life over to God. The apostle Paul refers to this as the Lordship of Christ, where Jesus becomes more than a friend and Savior, deepening your relationship to make Jesus the Lord of your life, Romans 10:9-11.

Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy-laden and overburdened, and I will cause you to rest. [I will [o]ease and relieve and [p]refresh [q]your souls.] 29 Take My yoke upon you and learn of Me, for I am gentle (meek) and humble (lowly) in heart, and you will find rest ([r]relief and ease and refreshment and [s]recreation and blessed quiet) for your souls. 30 For My yoke is wholesome (useful, [t]good—not harsh, hard, sharp, or pressing, but comfortable, gracious, and pleasant), and My burden is light and easy to be borne, Matthew 11:28-30.

As a former cross-country runner, reaching forward is a body posture technique to maintain your forward momentum. This is accomplished by slightly tilting your chest forward while keeping your head fixated on the course in front of you. When heads slouch down toward the ground, forward momentum is broken which drastically slows your pace. From a spiritual perspective, reaching forward refers to unloading any burdens from your past so that you can refocus your attention on the future.

Not that I have now attained [this ideal], or have already been made perfect, but I press on to lay hold of (grasp) and make my own, that for which Christ Jesus (the Messiah) has laid hold of me and made me His own. 13 I do not consider, brethren, that I have captured and made it my own [yet]; but one thing I do [it is my one aspiration]: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, 14 I press on toward the goal to win the [supreme and heavenly] prize to which God in Christ Jesus is calling us upward, Philippians 3:12-14.

The apostle Paul highlights what it means to press on in the passage above. Christians should not become complacent in their spiritual lives. Rather than live a lukewarm life, aided by idleness, press onto take hold of God’s will for your life, Romans 12:1-2. This includes flaming into fan the spiritual gifts God has given you, 1 Corinthians 12:1-7. These qualities were placed inside of you to fulfill the great commission, Acts 1:8, by pressing on to tell the world about the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

by Jay Mankus

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S.A.N.S. Episode 319: King of Kings / Angels We Have Heard on High

Posted on December 17, 2022 by expressyourself4him

Whenever I hear or see the word angel in print, I’m reminded of the show It’s a Miracle on PAX Television. Before our second child Daniel arrived, my wife and I just watched the channels available with an antenna. We had five different stations to watch, but PAX was our favorite due to shows like It’s a Miracle and Hope Island. It seemed like every other episode of It’s a Miracle featured an encounter with an angel.

But the angel said to them, Do not be afraid; for behold, I bring you good news of a great joy which will come to all the people. 11 For to you is born this day in the town of David a Savior, Who is Christ (the Messiah) the Lord! – Luke 2:10-11

If you follow an Advent Calendar with your family or church, you’ll likely come across the passage above. Luke spoke to shepherds, eyewitnesses of this angelic encounter. Christian groups like David and the Giants dedicated an entire album to this topic entitled Angels Unaware. While you may feel left out if you haven’t had an encounter with an angel, may you be touched by the words of the worship montage entitled King of Kings/Angels We Have Heard on High.

by Jay Mankus

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S.A.N.S. Episode 12: Stumbling Block to a Stepping Stone

Posted on February 15, 2022 by expressyourself4him

As a youth pastor, I took teenagers on several trips to a variety of events. One of these was an outdoor Christian concert at a local venue in Columbus, Indiana. The featured group who closed out the night was David and the Giants. Prior to this concert, I probably owned one or two of their albums. Afterward, I purchased every album this group released.

Thus, I tell you, there will be more joy in heaven over one [[c]especially] wicked person who repents ([d]changes his mind, abhorring his errors and misdeeds, and determines to enter upon a better course of life) than over ninety-nine righteous persons who have no need of repentance, Luke 15:7.

For today’s feature, I could have selected one of 20 different songs. David and the Giants have a good mix of classic rock and ballads on each album. Yet, I chose Stumbling Block to a Stepping Stone due to the lyrics and attached you tube video. Just like Jesus’ parable about a lost sheep, we all stumble and fall. Subsequently, it’s the failures in life that can turn into stepping stones as long as you can forgive yourself.

by Jay Mankus

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The Connection Between Fear and Faith

Posted on September 28, 2021 by expressyourself4him

When I get bored of listening to music, I turn to Podcasts for entertainment. As an aspiring screen writer, I often turn to Alex Ferrari’s Bulletproof Screenplay Podcast for inspiration. I recently clicked on one covering how Hollywood incorporates the nature of fear into films. The guest writer spoke about the Samaritans from the Bible which peaked my interest. This author explained how Samaritan parents created numerous gods to scare their children into obedience.

There is no fear in love [dread does not exist], but full-grown (complete, perfect) love [g]turns fear out of doors and expels every trace of terror! For fear [h]brings with it the thought of punishment, and [so] he who is afraid has not reached the full maturity of love [is not yet grown into love’s complete perfection], 1 John 4:18.

According to the American Psychiatric Association, fears are broken down into three different categories. Social phobias, agoraphobia and specific object phobias are like fingerprints that make one individual different from another. Whether your fears consists of animals, heights or public speaking, trusting God to confront and face these phobias is the first step toward experiencing freedom and peace. Yet, if fears are not faced, you will be limited in what you can do and where you can go in life.

But they have not all heeded the Gospel; for Isaiah says, Lord, who has believed (had faith in) what he has heard from us? 17 So faith comes by hearing [what is told], and what is heard comes by the preaching [of the message that came from the lips] of Christ (the Messiah Himself). 18 But I ask, Have they not heard? Indeed they have; [for the Scripture says] Their voice [that of nature bearing God’s message] has gone out to all the earth, and their words to the far bounds of the world, Romans 10:16-18.

One of my favorite Christian songs of all time is from the group David and the Giants. I was so moved by their classic ballad “Perfect Love,” I incorporated this song into my wedding ceremony more than a quarter of a century ago. The lyrics are based upon 1 John 4:18. While every human being is afraid of dying at some point in their lives, only one was able to conquer death. Jesus faced his sentence of death on a cross with perfect love. The connection between fear and faith is yielding control over to God by allowing Jesus to take the wheel and guide you through life.

by Jay Mankus

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Believe It or Not?

Posted on August 10, 2016 by expressyourself4him

One of the first books I read for fun outside of school was written by Daniel Cohen.  I don’t remember the title, but this piece studied eyewitness accounts of Bigfoot, the Loch Ness Monster and other unusual encounters.  Going to Ripley’s Believe It or Not Exhibits as a teenager only fostered my interest in unsolved mysteries.  While the debate continues on some of these unknown creatures, sooner or later you have to reach a decision; to believe it or not.

The angel of the Lord encamps around those who fear him, and delivers them, Psalm 34:7

As an adult, I’ve experienced things that can only be described as supernatural.  Initially, I didn’t give much thought to some of these events.  Yet, after attending a conference on discernment, studying the Bible and seeking the council of elder believers, I can’t deny the existence of angels.  While I’ve never entertained an angel like some Americans, there have been moments where I avoided an accident, steered clear of danger and escaped a difficult situation.  How can I be so sure you may ask?  Well, I’ve reached a stage in life where I have come to the conclusion that I simply believe.

For this very night there stood before me an angel of the God to whom I belong and whom I worship, Acts 27:23.

The Christian Rock Group David and the Giants devote an entire album to this topic in Angels Unaware.  Beyond the physical realm, angels are fueled by prayer, ushered into action by diligent saints.  Miracles occur daily, often going unnoticed by those who are rescued and or saved from harm.  On bended knees, angels are empowered as promises in the Bible are verbally lifted up, usually inspiring God to immediate act by sending guardian angels.  I’m not forcing you to believe in angels.  Yet, at some point you must decide; to believe it or not.

by Jay Mankus

 

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Accumulating Stress

Posted on June 20, 2012 by expressyourself4him

I tend to be an easy going person, letting stress or worry roll off my back.  However, as each day passes without a call, email or sign about my future, stress is beginning to amass.  As bills and debt accumulate daily, I feel as if I am powerless as the next wave of stress comes crashing through, sucking me into an under tow of worry.

If anyone understood stress, it was Moses in Exodus 18.  Before Jethro intervened, Moses was overwhelmed by his responsibilities as the only judge in all of Israel, Exodus 18:13-16.  From morning til evening, 6 days of week, Moses tried to settle any and every kind of dispute throughout the land.  Finally, Jethro steps in to help elevate the stress Moses was experiencing, Exodus 18:17-23.  The solution was simple: delegate responsibility to others, train and equip qualified people to become petit judges and rule as the Supreme Judge, taking only the difficult cases.

In the New Testament, there is a solution to accumulating stress, take it to the cross.  Although, it is not as easy as it appears.  Its one thing to say you are going to leave your burdens at the cross, its another thing to actually let go.  Just as Moses obeyed the words of Jethro in Exodus 18:24-26, I need to submit to Jesus’ request in Matthew 11:28-30.  As people wave the white flag and surrender to the Lord Jesus Christ, the tide will wash accumulating stress out to sea.  As the group David and the Giants once sang, Let Go and Let God!

by Jay Mankus

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