Tag Archives: grace

Whole in One

Posted on November 7, 2013 by expressyourself4him

I witnessed a hole in one for the first time as a caddy at Concord Country Club in Pennsylvania while in high school.  As a player, I came close several times, hitting the pin, lipping out and hanging on the edge of the cup without falling.  Finally, during my 10 year coaching career, I reached this dream during my team’s 4 day seeding tournament in 2006.  On the 3rd hole at Frog Hollow, a short par 3 playing about 135 yards, I hit a pitching wedge 3 days in a row.  Playing as a marker to insure no cheating took place, I hit the pin on one bounce, ricocheting 20 feet away during the first  round, making par.  On day 2, I hit a 3/4 wedge that landed just short, hula hooped around the hole, staying out, 2 feet away for an easy birdie.  The next day, I hit nearly the identical shot, but this one to my amazement dropped in for an ace.  The only draw back is I had to buy drinks, soda, for every member of my team and a few parent drivers.  Five years later, playing disc golf with all 3 of my children, I experienced another hole in one on the 18th hole at White Clay Creek State Park, buying slurpees for the family.

To be whole means to stay in one piece, unbroken or undamaged by people, obstacles or trials in life.  Synonyms of whole include complete, entire, intact and unabridged.  Though the thrill one receives from accomplishing a hole in one is exhilarating, this feeling quickly fades, especially when you hit your next bad shot.  On the day I had my one and only golf hole in one, I made double bogeys on 3 of the last 4 holes to shoot 40.  After a topsy-turvy round of golf, you get to start fresh with a brand new scorecard the next time you play.  Unfortunately, in life once you’ve become broken, scars remain deep within your soul.  These memories can haunt individuals like nightmares, serving as a barrier to prevent someone from becoming whole again.  When a sin or sins enters life as an impulse, one of the hardest things to do is to forgive yourself once you’ve indulged.  When the aftermath of 2 Samuel 11 is exposed by the prophet Nathan in 2 Samuel 12:1-17, King David had to pick of the pieces to his life and reputation.

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The words of Psalm 103:1-13 unveil a series of lessons God taught David on his journey to become whole again.  Beginning in verse 8, God’s nature is filled with compassion, grace and love.  Rather, than treat us as we deserve, God’s memory is erased of our wrong doing, fading into infinity.  All God asks is for those who seek his name is to fear Him, with reverence.  The apostle Paul shares a similar message in 1 Corinthians 13:4-7, detailing the attributes of God, encapsulated by an agape love.  If you have tried on your own without success, like the woman in Matthew 9:20-22, cries out to Jesus, He is the only one who can make you whole.  Learn to let go like David did after committing adultery and murder, as you allow the giver of life to restore you back to where you belong, James 1:18, made whole in One God.

by Jay Mankus

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The Envy of Cain

Posted on August 28, 2013 by expressyourself4him

When envy is present within the hearts and minds of individuals, jealousy usually isn’t far off.  Envy and jealousy often feed off of one another breeding the other feeling.  Envy arises deep inside the human soul, aroused by someone else’s material possessions, personality or unique gifts resulting in a spirit of discontent and resentment.  On the other  hand, jealousy is the emotion one experiences when someone thinks they are about to be replaced by the flavor of the month, leading to apprehension and fear.  This is where you find Cain within the pages of Genesis 4.

Cain was the prized baby, the first born boy on planet earth.  As an infant, his mom and dad waited on every cry and whimper.  Like modern parents returning from a hospital, both are clueless, not sure how to handle or respond to this new creature who has entered their life.  As for Cain, every thing was peachy keen until Abel arrived onto the scene.  Cain was now longer the main attraction, forced to share time with his baby brother.  If this wasn’t enough to bear, Cain realized how much harder farming was compared to shepherding, Abel’s occupation.  Then, God had to go and play favorites, rejecting Cain’s weak offering, but extremely pleased by the fat portions brought by Abel, Genesis 4:3-5.  These ingredients conceived the envy of Cain.

Before I studied the definitions of envy and jealousy, I never imagined either of these 2 acts of the sinful nature, Galatians 5:19-21, stirred inside my heart.  However, as I read the numerous definitions and examples of each on the internet, I saw signs of the envy of Cain within me.  Whether you are a coach, teacher or hard working employee, there is always someone quicker, smarter and more appealing than you.  Thus, you need to learn to be content in the areas God has gifted you.  If you don’t, you are giving the devil an open door for the envy of Cain to reside within you, Ephesians 4:25-27.  Therefore, lean on the the grace, forgiveness and mercy of God to purge yourself of any traces of envy or jealousy.

by Jay Mankus

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Opps … I Did It Again.

Posted on July 31, 2013 by expressyourself4him

An acronym that I use for sin is Sudden Irrational Nonsense.  Whether you are struggling with something like cursing, lying or sexual desires, all sins can be addictive.  This is why so many individuals make the honest confession, “Opps, I did it again!”

Sudden

Irrational

Nonsense

Unfortunately, the Christian Community has created their own ranking system, giving a degree of severity for each transgression.  The church in Rome was the first to develop this pious attitude, mentioned by the apostle Paul in Romans 1:18-32.  This mindset filtered down into their hearts, leading toward thoughts like “Well at least I am not a murderer, God hater or fornicator.”  Struck down by the words of Romans 2:1-5, God gives words of hope for those wresting with the Opps I did it again syndrome, Romans 2:6-10.

When these words become a weekly or daily occurrence, one call lean on the grace of God.   The well known acronym God’s Riches At Christ’s Expense helps a sinner find comfort in the Bible’s promise, Ephesians 2:8-9.  Beyond this, one must consider how contrite you are after sinning?  If sorrow is absence from a guilty heart, Jesus is nothing more than a Get of a Jail Free Card, Hebrews 6:4-6.  As an expert in sin, reaching this point requires intervention starting with an accountability partner, once a week at the minimum.  If this step is ineffective, you must purge yourself from anything that triggers the thought of sin.  Like detox, this one of the most painful, but a necessary element to achieve freedom.  The goal is perfection, Matthew 5:48, yet the reality of life is giving your best each and every day, letting God do the rest.  When the opps I did it again resurfaces, turn your prayers toward the sky, trusting in God’s forgiveness, grace and mercy, John 3:16-17.

by Jay Mankus

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Better Than Life

Posted on April 24, 2013 by expressyourself4him

Human nature encourages individuals to eat, drink and be merry.  The selfish side of human beings urges people to go for the gusto, get it while its hot and live for the moment.  A herd instinct sways citizens toward peer pressure, taking risks and indulging in activities you were told not to by parents or guardians.  In my own search, following these influences, I have discovered something better than life.

As a teenager, I reluctantly engaged my human nature, often left feeling empty and guilty from my participation, being out of character.  At the end of high school and most of college, I found time to satisfy my selfish needs.  Unfortunately, the pleasures of life quickly faded, furthering the void within my heart.  An independent spirit keep me from conforming to typical herd instincts, yet like Romans 3:23 proclaims, I had my moments of compromise, falling to lies of persuasion.  In recent days, even viewing my favorite sports teams on television does not bring the joy it once did.

What I was longer for, was right there all along, on the other side of the door way, Revelation 3:20.  When the timing was right, I couldn’t hold back the force which drew me in, Romans 10:9-10.  Therefore, within the basement of a conference center, I had a divine appointment with the Creator of Life.  Though the temptations of sin still exist, there is something better than life.  Psalm 63:3 reveals this truth, where the grace, forgiveness and mercy of God is above all, greater than life!

by Jay Mankus

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Watch Your Ways

Posted on March 24, 2013 by expressyourself4him

When I was a freshman in high school, I was privileged to be asked to attend my first party by a sophomore.  While I had a crush on this girl at the time, something in my heart told me not to go.  Thus, as half of this party was being arrested for under aged drinking, I was subbing for my parent’s Friday Night bowling league.  On this night, I could do no wrong like a blessing from above, bowling my best single game, 199 and three games series, 570.  I knew I was in the right place as my first poor shot of the evening hit 3 pins initially, before somehow turning into a strike.

Psalm 39:1 illustrates a similar principle with 3 directions for life.  First, King David shares the importance of watching your ways.  This includes how you spend your time, the friends you choose, places you go and entertainment decisions you make.  If I rejected my initial gut feeling, my entire high school experience and career path might have changed.  Fortunately, my parents had raised me up in the church, which has provided guidance and wisdom along the way.

Second, David warns others to keep their tongue from sin.  The most common temptation in schools and the workplace is gossip and or slander.  However, if you steer clear from this, anger can also encourage evil words to roll off your lips.  In addition, envy, jealousy and pride may inspire venomous words, attacking others, often in the form of a word curse.  Like the apostle Paul writes in 2 Corinthians 10:5, the best way to keep your tongue from sin is by taking your thoughts captive, making them obedient to Christ.

Finally, the king ends Psalm 39:1 by emphasizing the need to put a muzzle over your mouth.  Slightly different from the tongue, I believe David is referring to your conversation.  Jesus talks about adding flavor to others by what you say, Matthew 5:13.  Paul adds to Jesus’ words by stressing the need for grace in Colossians 4:6.  Even Peter, who struggled with this area throughout his life adds a reminder for gentleness and respect, 1 Peter 3:15-16.  Therefore, whether you want to change your way, tongue or mouth, if you put God’s word into practice, Matthew 7:24, eternal blessings will follow.

by Jay Mankus

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Shout It Out

Posted on March 12, 2013 by expressyourself4him

Tears for Fears once sang about releasing emotions in their song Shout.  “Shout, shout, let it all out;  These are the things I can do without, come on – I’m talking to you.”  Meanwhile, a laundry product called Shout claimed they could remove any spot on clothing by applying their special ingredients to make stains disappear.  While one brings back great memories and the other a mother’s dream, this blog is devoted to giving a shout out to words of the prophet Zechariah.

According to Zechariah 3:1, Satan is like a stain that just won’t come out, permanently damaging our spiritual clothes.  Left with filthy clothing, tainted by sin, these blemishes are a constant remainder of our imperfections, Zechariah 3:3.  Just when your mind comes to grips with this helpless state, an angel intervenes.  Shouting it out, this angel provides first class dry cleaning, replacing the old with a new outfit, Zechariah 3:4-5.

Serving as a spiritual laundry detergent, the Lord Almighty has a special day planned.  Revealed in Zechariah 3:9, God plans to remove all the sins of this land in a single day.  News like this is comparable to the excitement demonstrated by the prodigal son on the day he returned to his father, Luke 15:20.  Therefore, don’t act nonchalantly; rather stand up and shout it out, rejoicing about the forgiveness, grace and mercy poured out upon you and me to erase our dirty laundry.

by Jay Mankus

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