Tag Archives: directionally challenged

S.A.N.S. Episode 251: Never Lost

Posted on October 10, 2022 by expressyourself4him

As someone who tends to be directionally challenged the first time I drive to a new place, I understand the confusion of getting lost. Part of finding your way back home is recognizing that sometimes you need help. Perhaps, this is what drew me to CeCe Winans gospel classic Never Lost. It wasn’t until the prodigal son was starving that he finally came to his senses in the passage below.

And he would gladly have fed on and [h]filled his belly with the [i]carob pods that the hogs were eating, but [they could not satisfy his hunger and] nobody gave him anything [better]. 17 Then when he came to himself, he said, How many hired servants of my father have enough food, and [even food] to spare, but I am perishing (dying) here of hunger! – Luke 15:16-17

While CeCe’s birth name is Priscilla Marie Winans, she adopted the profession name of CeCe. Priscilla first earned notoriety as a member of BeBe & CeCe Winans. The lyrics of Never Lost speak to God’s power to do the impossible. Subsequently, God is never lost as He remains undefeated, never losing a battle. While God’s will for your life may not make sense at times, when you follow Jesus, you’re never lost.

by Jay Mankus

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When Your Compass Doesn’t Work

Posted on July 9, 2016 by expressyourself4him

For those of us who are directionally challenged, its easy to become reliant on modern technology.  Advances in cell phones, electronic maps and GPS devices will tell you immediately when and if you take a wrong turn.  However, what will happen if your compass in life does not work.

But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all the truth. He will not speak on his own; he will speak only what he hears, and he will tell you what is yet to come, John 16:13.

If you have ever watched documentaries on the Bermuda Triangle, there have been numerous accounts of aircraft and ships whose navigational devices stop working.  Sometimes this lasts for a few seconds or continues for an extended period of time.  When you can’t determine magnetic north, people have to fly blind, relying on certain landmarks to find your way home.  Yet, when clouds, fog or storms roll in, this task is further complicated.

All that belongs to the Father is mine. That is why I said the Spirit will receive from me what he will make known to you, John 16:15.

From a spiritual point of view, your conscience is similar to a compass.  Nonetheless, if you allow yourself to become distracted by a career, project or work, its not that hard to get lost.  Within these days, months and years of darkness, people tend to lose hope.  This is why Jesus left the Holy Spirit following his ascension, providing a counselor in your time of need.  Therefore, when everything else in life fails, reach out to the Lord and He will guide you home.

by Jay Mankus

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Lost?

Posted on June 17, 2016 by expressyourself4him

The hit series Lost ran for 6 seasons on ABC beginning in 2004.  When a plane crashes off a mystical island in the South Pacific, passengers hoping to arrive in Los Angeles are forced to struggle to survive.  While many are eager to find a way off this island, others are grateful to have a new leash on life.  Whenever anyone reaches a cross roads in life, you might wonder, “am I lost or merely in uncharted territories?”

“Or suppose a woman has ten silver coins and loses one. Doesn’t she light a lamp, sweep the house and search carefully until she finds it?” – Luke 15:8

Though most people think getting lost is for those directionally challenged, there are two other possibilities.  In the film Top Gun, after Goose dies, Maverick played by Tom Cruise becomes mentally lost, unable to concentrate while trying to fly his fighter jet.  Meanwhile, if anyone has ever endured a painful childhood, you might suffer from soul spirit hurts like Matt Damon in Good Will Hunting, trying the understand why he was abused.

Then the devil left him, and angels came and attended him, Matthew 4:11.

Whether you are physically, mentally or spiritually lost, its essential to receive the support that you need.  After overcoming the Devil’s temptations, angels came to Jesus’ aid.  During a counseling session, Robin Williams playing the role of a psychologist lets Will know, “it’s not your fault.”  Finally, when everyone gave up on Maverick, his Flight Commander Viper provided the boost he needed to tarry on.  In the same way, all believers should extend a helping hand to anyone who looks or seems lost.

by Jay Mankus

 

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The Way Verses Today

Posted on November 5, 2015 by expressyourself4him

I tend to be directionally challenged.  However, I’m also careful not to trust the opinion of another man at a gas station who seems uncertain.  While GPS is a nice modern device to rely on, when it starts to recalculate, the question is which way should I go?

And asked him for letters to the synagogues in Damascus, so that if he found any there who belonged to the Way, whether men or women, he might take them as prisoners to Jerusalem, Acts 9:2.

Philosophically speaking, should you follow your heart, mind or the newest teaching?  Worldviews like Humanism, New Age and Post-Modernism have convinced many former believers to leave the Way for religions of today.  Concerned leaders of the church are wondering, what can be done to reverse this trend?

No one else dared join them, even though they were highly regarded by the people, Acts 5:13.

One of the reasons for this mass exodus is a lack of genuine Christians within America.  I know I’m just as guilty as the next person, leaving a trail of hypocrisy behind.  As people are rubbed the wrong way, parents are staying home on Sunday.  Subsequently, a generation of children are growing up without a faith experience.  Thus, the Way of the Bible is fighting a losing battle.  May the Holy Spirit spark young people today to leave an imprint of love on a culture desperately waiting for the Real Thing.

by Jay Mankus

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