Tag Archives: Discovery Channel

Knowing When to Say When

Posted on December 19, 2016 by expressyourself4him

I have noticed a pattern within three popular cable television shows.  Whether you are talking about Discovery Channels Gold Rush and Treasure Quest or History Channels The Curse of Oak Island, each ask the same question.  If you are trying to unearth gold or searching for a secret treasure, its important to know when to say when.

I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you with my eye upon you, Psalm 32:8.

This same concept applies to setting goals.  Some will be attainable, a natural progression or the next logical step.  However, others will take years or even decades to obtain.  If you are not making progress or simply do not possess what it takes to arrive at a desired destination, perhaps you should walk away before its too late.

When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth, for he will not speak on his own authority, but whatever he hears he will speak, and he will declare to you the things that are to come, John 16:13.

Too many gold miners chased after the mother load only to go broke or die before stumbling upon riches.  Meanwhile, dreamers often run after some sort of white rabbit that simply can’t be caught with mere human effort.  Subsequently, individuals must either give up the fight or seek a higher power to cross the threshold.  Since every situation is different, there is not a cookie cutter answer to knowing when to say when.  Nonetheless, if the Holy Spirit is your guide, you should be able to keep in step with God’s will for your life.

by Jay Mankus

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Mind Stripping

Posted on July 9, 2014 by expressyourself4him

Strip mining involves excavating the surface of earth, rock and other material to uncover mineral reserves.  Although most commonly used to extract coal, some of the miners on the Discovery Channel’s Gold Rush reality show use strip mining to remove overburden.  Also known as open-cut mining, this process relies on explosives and heavy machinery to reach key pockets of minerals.

A wise king once developed a different kind of mining.  One of the secrets to Babylon’s successful empire in 600 BC was the introduction of mind stripping.  Instead of killing the citizens of newly conquered nations, King Nebuchadnezzar recruited members of royal families as well as the best and brightest young people, Daniel 1:3-5.  Like going back to school, these individuals were programmed to eat, think and embrace the Babylonian worldview.

For example, Daniel was given a new name to strip his mind from his Hebrew roots, Belteshazzer.  This name originated from Mesopotamian mythology, based upon Bel, a title applied to various gods in Babylon.  Essentially, King Nebuchadnezzar attempted to convince Daniel that Bel, his god would take care of him from here on out.  Tempted by knowledge, power and wealth, Daniel refused to allow his mind to be corrupted, Daniel 1:8-14.

Today, mind stripping continues, kept alive by the devil, 2 Corinthians 4:4.  However, this process is invisible, induced by subtle thoughts, whispers and images of greatness.  No one is immune to this internal battle, Galatians 5:16-18.  Regardless of the state this blog finds you in, may the power of the Holy Spirit come to your aid, Galatians 5:25, leading you like Daniel to say no to mind stripping.

by Jay Mankus

 

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Not So Far Fetched As I Once Thought

Posted on July 20, 2013 by expressyourself4him

One of the first jobs I applied to after losing my teaching position of 10 years was at a Christian College in Ohio.  Like submitting an application to attend a local university, several pages were involved, requiring hours of my concentration.  The last portion required a thesis statement based upon previous research on a biblical passage.  To save time I collected numerous power point slides from classes I had taught, rewrote a thesis from one of my honors courses and cross referenced my theory with scientific data.  Although I did not get this position, a rhema that I received  today from the Lord, makes me think my theory is not so far fetch as I once thought.

As I read Genesis 8:1 this morning, the Jet Stream popped into my mind.  The Jet Stream are upper level winds which are usually 5-7 miles above the earth’s surface.  These winds can blow as fast as 200 miles an hour, within a stream that is thousands of miles long and a few hundred miles wide.  This weather system flows west to east, but shifts north to south depending upon the season.  The Jet Stream exists in the tropopause, the boundary between the troposphere and stratosphere of the earth’s atmosphere.  Based upon my gut feelings, I believe God created the Jet Stream to help dry the earth after the flood.  Once the Open Canopy was eliminated by God, the Jet Stream was necessary to circulate precipitation throughout the earth.  In the process, this new element also likely formed the first ice age, freezing mountains of water in the polar regions.

According to Genesis 8:3-4, Noah’s Ark came to rest on Mount Ararat, modern day turkey on July 17th.  The amount of water was so massive that it took until October 1st until all the mountain ranges of the earth were uncovered.  If you have ever seen the earth from an airplane, several areas over the United States have what appear to be ripples, traces of an ancient and worldwide flood which could have formed the Grand Canyon and Great Lakes.  By February 27th of the following year, the earth was completely dry based upon the accounts passed on to Moses in Genesis 8:14.  While I can’t say for sure this information is true, its plausible.  Just as the Discovery, History and Weather Channels speculate about past disasters, I felt compelled to share these notions with you.  Some may think I’m bizarre, others that I’s crazy, but maybe, just maybe a few will think this is not so far fetched as you once thought.

by Jay Mankus

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A Skywire Faith

Posted on June 25, 2013 by expressyourself4him

Every once in a while, someone goes to extreme measures to prove themselves.  On Sunday night, June 23rd, 2013, live on the Discovery Channel, Nik Wallenda did just that, becoming the first person ever to walk across the Grand Canyon on a two inch wide high wire.  Without any nets to catch a mistake, Nik battled wind gusts, a 50 pound balancing pole and fears his family would see him fall to his death.  His 1,400 foot long journey took twenty two minutes and fifty four seconds to complete, kneeling at one point, surviving to live another day.

According to Hebrews 11:1, faith is being sure of what you hope for and certain of what you do not see.  Before risking his life, Nik had to believe his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ would give him the knowledge, strength and wisdom to complete this stunt.  Wired for sound, Nik began to pray on television as high wind gusts blew through and over the canyon.  Following the model set by Jesus in Mark 6:48-51, Nik took authority over the weather, calling on His God to silence any further gusts.

Yesterday, Nik did more than just walk across a portion of the Grand Canyon.  Rather, Nik put his faith and God to the test, risking everything.  If he failed or fell to his death, atheists, agnostics and the un-churched would have scoffed at his god.  Instead, 13 million viewers tuned in, heard his prayers answered and have tweeted their amazement on Twitter.  Though, this is unlikely to be the last time you hear or see Nik Wallenda on television, thank you Nik for demonstrating a skywire faith.  Well done Nick, well done, Matthew 25:23.

by Jay Mankus

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