Tag Archives: fish

Explaining the Unexplainable

Posted on October 21, 2019 by expressyourself4him

My favorite author as a teenager was Daniel Cohen.  Most of Cohen’s books coincide with unsolved mysteries.  The television series In Search Of which ran from 1977-1982 examined mysterious phenomenas.  This fascination continued with Unsolved Mysteries which ran for a decade into the 1990’s.  Today, this traditional programming continues with the History Channel’s version the Unexplained.

The fear of you and the dread of you shall be upon every beast of the earth and upon every bird of the heavens, upon everything that creeps on the ground and all the fish of the sea. Into your hand they are delivered. Every moving thing that lives shall be food for you. And as I gave you the green plants, I give you everything, Genesis 9:2-3.

Unfortunately, over the past 40 years, topics such as Big Foot, the Loch Ness Monster and Abominable Snowman still remain a mystery.  These creatures of the night are more legend, a figment of our imagination rather than reality.  During a recent binge of the Unexplained, I came across a new mystery, the Mongolian Death Worm.  Sure, the name sounds strange for a worm, but this crypto that resides underneath the Gobi Desert inspired Tremors, a 1990 film starring Kevin Bacon.  However, until an actual body is caught or carcass found, this creature will remain fiction until facts prove it’s existence.

“But ask the beasts, and they will teach you; the birds of the heavens, and they will tell you; or the bushes of the earth, and they will teach you; and the fish of the sea will declare to you. Who among all these does not know that the hand of the Lord has done this? In his hand is the life of every living thing and the breath of all mankind,” Job 12:7-10.

Based upon the passage above, God has all the answers.  Unfortunately, most people don’t take the time to listen or slow down enough to reflect upon God’s creation.  Those who birdwatch, fish or sightsee have the advantage of taking in the heavens and the earth.  While there will always be unexplainable events and questions that you will have to wait until heaven to be answered, take the advice of the Psalmist.  “Be still before the Lord, Psalm 46:10.”

by Jay Mankus

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Images of God

Posted on March 13, 2016 by expressyourself4him

My only attempts at having a pet as a child were failures.  Inspired by the movie Lassie, my parents bought a collie.  Unfortunately, I treated our dog like a horse, regularly jumping on her back and riding her like a pony.  It wasn’t long before my parents found Trickxie a new home.  Another endeavor involved fish, but their life expectancy did not last long in my tank.

“The Rock, his work is perfect, for all his ways are justice. A God of faithfulness and without iniquity, just and upright is he, Deuteronomy 32:4.

When I got married, I gave pets another chance, taking care of cats and horses on a farm.  After moving to Delaware, my wife convinced me to purchase a cat and dog.  Although each pet has its own pros and cons, I’m beginning to see the value of sharing a house with animals.  Ultimately, the majority of pets what to be with you.

That they may know that you alone, whose name is the Lord, are the Most High over all the earth, Psalm 83:18.

Today, while doing yard work, my dog Autumn cried when I wasn’t in the backyard.  Although she can’t talk, her howls is a subtle way of saying, “I want to be with you.”  In the same way, Jesus is yearning for individuals to spend time with Him.  However, the Lord doesn’t force, prod or push us to set aside this time.  Nonetheless, one of the images of God that I learned today is for human beings to draw near to God through prayer, worship and Bible study.

by Jay Mankus

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Take Out the Trash… so that You Don’t Stink

Posted on April 29, 2015 by expressyourself4him

Up until my senior year of high school, I spent the month of August in Maine.  After working countless hours throughout the year, my dad felt compelled to spent time with the family each summer fishing, golfing and swimming.  However, there wasn’t trash pick up so whenever the can was full its was time to go to the local dump.  Leaving any trash outside attracted bears, so each week I endured the gagging odor of the county’s waste center.

Joshua told the people, “Consecrate yourselves, for tomorrow the LORD will do amazing things among you,” Joshua 3:5.

Although technological has come along way, it still doesn’t take long to stink up a kitchen.  Whether you’ve enjoying crabs, fish or some other messy meal, the discarded pieces can create an offensive smell in a matter of hours.  One careless, forgetful or lazy act will leave a stench behind throughout an entire house.  Therefore, the sooner you take out the trash, the less likely you will be from needing an entire household of air fresheners.

Nothing in all creation is hidden from God’s sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of him to whom we must give account, Hebrews 4:13.

In real life, you don’t have to be labeled trailer trash to stink.  Rather, anyone who allows sin to linger in their lives will eventually give off a foul spiritual odor.  While some will hide addictions and bad habits better than others, God lays bear every sinful act.  Subsequently, the only way to come clean is through confession and prayer, Jude 1:20.  Consecrate yourself today for God is waiting to do amazing things through you, but only after you acknowledge your shortcomings.

by Jay Mankus

 

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A Picture From God

Posted on June 9, 2014 by expressyourself4him

The visual learner inside of human beings often struggle to believe in things that they can’t see.  Words are meaningless unless an image, thought or vision appears.  Sometimes a picture from God is what individuals are waiting for to breathe hope and life into their soul.

When the Lord slashed Gideon’s army from 22,000 to 300 men, he had his doubts about achieving victory.  To calm these fears, God provided a picture of success in Judges 7:9-15.  Peter had a similar experience in Luke 5:1-11.  As a professional fishermen, Peter wasn’t one to withhold his opinion.  However, after a humbling night on the water, a new kid on the block brought Peter to his knees, Luke 5:8.  These pictures from above empowered these followers to reach heights they never imagined.

Although its not mentioned, the men of Issachar likely received snapshots from the Holy Spirit.  While the world was distracted, these godly leaders stayed the course, keeping in step with the Lord, 1 Chronicles 12:32.  Today, this country and the world needs someone who understands the times.  May a picture from God engrave minds set on fulfilling Romans 12:2 so that the lost have someone to follow back home.

by Jay Mankus

 

 

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The One That Got Away

Posted on February 5, 2014 by expressyourself4him

My father was an avid fisherman, taking the family to Maine each summer to go bass fishing and Nags Head, North Carolina during Spring Break to catch blues coming up the Atlantic coastline.  Sure, golf was always on the agenda, but his quest was trying to catch the big one.  Now retired and residing on a golf course with several lakes, my own children enjoy nightly excursions to catch bass, perch and sunfish.  While success usually followed his line, I often wonder about the big one that got away.

Three years ago, there was a 10 pound bass spotted periodically along a canal.  Many had seen it, but no one was successful in reeling this behometh on to dry land.   Over a 3 day weekend, my oldest son James and I appeared to have something large bite our lines, only to have the line snap shortly thereafter.  As I was reeling in a small sunny, I felt a tug, like a snapping turtle had grabbed ahold of my line.  For roughly 10 minutes I battled this unseen creature, hoping it was the beast.  However, just as I was sensing victory, the line went dead.  One minute later, the only thing remaining was an empty hook.  Since there were no visible signs of a turtle, whatever attacked my rod must have ripped the sunny off the hook, swallowing it’s victim whole.  I’ve caught my fair share of fish, but I regret the 10 pounder that got away.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KYWRsx6OUn8

In athletics, Olympians’ shake their head over the gold that slipped from their reach.  Meanwhile, the scholar will analyze why an elite college or graduate school passed over their application.  The student ponders what went wrong to lose their high school sweetheart and the unemployed struggle to find the explanation behind why they did not receive a job offer.  Disappointment is a subtle reminder of an imperfect world, filled with empty promises and broken dreams.  Despite how painfully it is to start over in life, you need to let go of the one that got away, learning from this loss so that it doesn’t happen again.  May the truth of James 1:2-4 strengthen you to press on, to stay beat and hopeful of a date with destiny to celebrate the day the big One didn’t get away!

by Jay Mankus

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The Continuum of Sin

Posted on February 1, 2013 by expressyourself4him

In the film, Behind the Devil’s Door, still in its infant stage, I am attempting to unravel the allure and subtleness of sin.  James, the brother of Jesus uses first century fishing terminology to address the power of sin, James 1:13-15.  Like a fish in hiding, a specific bait get’s their attention, similar to a momentary lapse in judgment.  It only takes a minuscule compromise to get hooked, setting in motion the continuum of sin.

The human mind is like fertile soil, ready to prosper with the right balance of the Son and living water, John 4:13-14.  Unfortunately, this ground is surrounded by fields of weeds, influenced by the flesh, world and spiritual realm.  Winds of temptation blow seeds of self, pleasure and rebellion, seeking to take root in your thought life.  Once implanted, this foreign root system can over ride your will, leading you toward a series of choices near the road called sin.

When detours are taken and U-Turns back toward God aren’t executed, your choices form a cycle of sin, also known as bad habits.  If these habits continue, without holding them in check, unusual behavior results due to a loss in control, forming addictions.  Empowered by a lack of self-discipline, addictions grow into an internal bondage, becoming enslaved to a specific sin or sins, Romans 7:15.

Every month, another minister is exposed by the continuum of sin.  Even if one is not discovered or found out, this pattern continues without public confession or purging sinful elements which produces your desire to sin.  The longer one strays from the narrow road of eternity, Matthew 7:13-14, the more difficult it becomes to escape this bondage and the demonic forces feeding your flesh.  Evil super naturalism then creates a spiritual stronghold, making it impossible to break free on your own.

The James 5:16 principle is the first of many steps toward a path to recovery.  A weekly accountability partner is essential, intervention is highly recommended and divine help through people praying for you can unravel this stronghold.  As for the time, it varies depending upon your degree of sin.  The apostle Paul gives believers further insight in 2 Corinthians 10:3-5 to help you in your battle with the continuum of sin.  Never give up hope as you wrestle to take back control of your heart, soul and mind!

by Jay Mankus

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