Tag Archives: heaven

No Where to Go but Up

Posted on April 25, 2016 by expressyourself4him

In the middle of his junior year, my oldest son James suffered from chronic hip pain, derailing any chance of running winter track full time.  When a need arose for a new pole vaulter, James gave it a shot.  Despite enduring meets of failing to clear the starting height, he persisted.  Fifteen months and twelve feet later, James has no where to go but up, already surpassing the mark he set last summer.

The Lord isn’t really being slow about his promise, as some people think. No, he is being patient for your sake. He does not want anyone to be destroyed, but wants everyone to repent, 2 Peter 3:9.

Last weekend, I spent an entire night, six hours straight, finishing the final edit of my latest screen play Dragged Behind the Devil’s Door.  Over the past 11 months, there were times when I didn’t feel like writing, researching and studying similar films.  However, I set a firm goal to complete this project by May 1st.  While beauty is in the eye of the beholder, the future success and production of this film is now in God’s hands.

My people are being destroyed because they don’t know me, Hosea 4:6a.

One of the translations of the verse above suggests people perish for a lack or wisdom and knowledge.  For me, sometimes its hard to believe that God is actually going to answer my prayer or fulfill my dreams.  Yet, Jesus himself said to followers in his day, “you do not have because you have not asked.”  Therefore, if you reach a goal, obtain new heights or don’t know where to go next, look up to heaven with an expecting heart in faith because there is no where to go but up.

by Jay Mankus

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When Angels Peek into Your Conversations

Posted on April 24, 2016 by expressyourself4him

One of my first experiences with the concept of angels was through the Christmas Classic It’s A Wonderful Life.  George’s guardian angel Clarence is sent down to earth to save him from committing suicide as well as helping him realize how good his life really is.  However, this earthly perspective does not shed light on what garners an angels attention.

They were told that their messages were not for themselves, but for you. And now this Good News has been announced to you by those who preached in the power of the Holy Spirit sent from heaven. It is all so wonderful that even the angels are eagerly watching these things happen, 1 Peter 1:12.

God provided Peter with a revelation about angels detailed in one of his letters recorded in the Bible.  The passage above suggests angels are like fans in heaven who get excited when the Holy Spirit begins to transform individuals.  Though angels have the advantage of knowing the final outcome of the Bible, they are eagerly watching like viewing a favorite movie that you’ve seen a dozen times, waiting for the story to be played out.

In the same way, there is more joy in heaven over one lost sinner who repents and returns to God than over ninety-nine others who are righteous and haven’t strayed away! – Luke 15:7

In It’s A Wonderful Life, a notion is put forth that whenever a bell rings, it represents an angel earning their wings.  Yet, the Bible claims individuals are saved by grace, through faith, not by work.  According to the gospel of Luke, heaven celebrates whenever a prodigal, lost sheep or wanderer turns back to the Lord.  Therefore, whether you are talking about the power of the Holy Spirit, repentance or planting seeds of faith upon fertile ground, don’t be surprised if an angel peeks into your conversation.

by Jay Mankus

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God’s Role for Hardship

Posted on April 19, 2016 by expressyourself4him

Back in the days when the rod of correction was a useful parenting tool and not child abuse, I remember what my parents said a few times.  I don’t remember the exact words but it was something like, “this is going to hurt me more than you” just before the spanking began.  In the years that followed, I was a quick learner, only needing a couple of paddles to straight me out.

No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it, Hebrews 12:11.

As an adult, things aren’t as clear for me and it was for my parents.  More analytical now, I wonder how God uses events like hardships as a form of discipline.  Are there certain things we deserve for past transgressions?  Is the current storm one faces some sort of a generational curse brought upon by ancestors?  Until a friend brought these theological terms to my attention nearly a decade ago, I didn’t have a clear understanding of hardship.

You shall not bow down to them or serve them, for I the Lord your God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers on the children to the third and the fourth generation of those who hate me, Exodus 20:5.

Sometimes I feel like life is some sort of spiritual boot camp.  Pushed to the brink at times, just when I am about to quit, Jesus gives me the strength to carry on.  However, there are still plenty of unanswered questions, things that I may need to wait until heaven to comprehend.  Yet, for now, I know there is a reason for the trials I endure.  I just hope that I learn quickly like my days as a child so I don’t have to spend more time suffering.  Through the ups and downs in life, may the Lord give you wisdom to persevere and overcome.

by Jay Mankus

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Better Off Dead

Posted on March 25, 2016 by expressyourself4him

In 1985, John Cusack starred in Better Off Dead.  While this movie would be considered politically incorrect today for making fun of suicide, some high schools are now using this film in Sociology classes.  The idea for the title is based upon lonely and suicidal individuals who think that it would be better if they were dead.  The rationale is that killing yourself will make those who never noticed your existence feel bad through guilt and shame.

Very truly I tell you, unless a kernel of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains only a single seed. But if it dies, it produces many seeds, John 12:24.

This concept also applies to the first century.  Sometimes in the late 20’s, early 30’s AD, Jesus began to share God’s grand design to his disciples.  Essentially, Jesus would be better off dead, needing to die once and for all, for all sin.  This message didn’t go over well as in the back of their minds, the disciples thought Jesus would become an earthly king.  Perhaps, this confusion and disappointment with Jesus might explain their actions following his betrayal and death.  John was the only disciple who wasn’t afraid to be seen with or associated with Jesus.  Beside Judas Iscariot who thought he would be better off dead, committing suicide, the other remaining ten men went into hiding.

Anyone who loves their life will lose it, while anyone who hates their life in this world will keep it for eternal life, John 12:25.

Since Jesus spoke in parables, only the discerning were able to figure out the point Jesus was trying to make.  Maybe John was the only one who understood the kernel analogy.  Nonetheless, the Bible exists today so that we can be certain of this life and the afterlife.  So if you too are fearful or worried about dying, remember you have to pass before you can be reunited with believers who have already entered the grave.  In case you’re still up in the air, make your reservation for heaven today, 1 John 5:13.  When you do, you might come around to embracing the notion of being better off dead.

by Jay Mankus

 

 

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The Heartbeat of Heaven

Posted on February 19, 2016 by expressyourself4him

Inside the human body, the sinoatrial node serves as the heart’s pacemaker.  Within the right atrium, electrical activity in the form of impulses initializes a small bundle of specialized cells.  As currents spread throughout the walls of the atria, contractions begin to alternate and relax, allowing blood to naturally flow through the heart.  These intricacies point to a Creator, designing the miracle called life.

And I will give you a new heart, and a new spirit I will put within you. And I will remove the heart of stone from your flesh and give you a heart of flesh, Ezekiel 26:36.

The Bible is filled with analogies and imagery relating to the heart.  King Solomon calls the heart the well spring of life.  Yet, the prophet Jeremiah reveals a secret and dark side, like a poison which can contaminate your soul.  However, Jesus leaves no question about the role of the heart on earth.  The Lord gave human beings a heart for one purpose, to love one another.  This is the heart beat of heaven.

My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you.  Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends, John 15:12-13.

Near the end of his earthly ministry, Jesus shares some final instructions to his disciples, preparing them for his death and life after his ascension into heaven.  Trying to keep things simply, Jesus suggests love is a barometer of your faith.  Depending upon your level of commitment, lives will either be grazed, touched or impacted by your degree of love.  Regardless of where you are spiritually, its never too late to ask for a heart of love so that the heart beat of heaven can be felt on earth.

by Jay Mankus

 

 

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The Final Word

Posted on January 18, 2016 by expressyourself4him

The French expression Je suis fini when translated into English means I am finished.  However, from a contextual point of view, this translation is flawed.  In reality, when someone says Je suis fini, its their final word before dying, done with life.

The Son is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of his being, sustaining all things by his powerful word. After he had provided purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty in heaven, Hebrews 1:3.

In the Bible, a similar analogy exists.  Whenever Jesus referred to sitting down, its symbolic of completion, a final resting place.  Thus, when you read the words Jesus sat down at the right hand of the Father, this means that Jesus completed God’s plan and will for his life.

But about the Son he says, “Your throne, O God, will last for ever and ever; a scepter of justice will be the scepter of your kingdom, Hebrews 1:8.

Today, human nature encourages some to fight for the last word, always wanting to get in one last comment.  While many individuals join in this daily game, there is only One who came claim to have made the final word.  After struggling to hold on to life for several hours on a cross, Jesus let go by saying, “it is finished!”  Yet, his final statement, the resurrection sealed the deal, opening the gates of heaven to those who believe.  May the community of faith take hope in the promise of salvation and eternal life, 1 John 5:13.

by Jay Mankus

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While You Worship

Posted on December 13, 2015 by expressyourself4him

Sandra Bullock starred in the 1995 love story While You Were Sleeping.  After saving a man’s life from an on coming train, Peter played by Peter Gallagher falls into a coma where rumors alter and hide the truth.  In the real world, many people fall into spiritual comas, sleeping through most of life on earth.  Some individuals are revived, others perish and those remaining often become comfortably numb.  One of the solutions to snap of these mental states occur while you worship God.

While they were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, “Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them,” Acts 13:2.

In the 1992 film School Ties, Brendan Fraser plays a star quarterback recruited by a prestigious private boarding school.  The only problem is Brendan is Jewish and the school is Catholic.  Thus, this high school senior is encouraged to keep this a secret, pressured to adhere to foreign beliefs.  Whenever people are forced into doing something, its not naturally and can lead to future grudges.  The same can be said about children who feel forced to worship a God in whom they do not a relationship with.  Adults who grew up in this kind of atmosphere often stray far from the Lord, trying to figure life out on their own.

About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the other prisoners were listening to them, Acts 16:25.

The Bible is filled with numerous examples and unlikely ways in which people can to faith.  However, without action, these emotions can die.  Thus, as seekers enter into God’s presence in the form of worship, spiritual awakenings commence.  There is something to be said of a house of worshipers in one accord and spirit.  Although this doesn’t come natural, energy in a building, a song or state of desperation can unleash a movement of God.  I can’t explain it, but when you find yourself on your knees, shouting at the top of your voice and raising your hands toward heaven, God can unveil wisdom about your past, present and future.  Don’t delay any further by joining a local congregation this weekend while you worship.

by Jay Mankus

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Do I Hold On to the Past or Trust God for the Future?

Posted on November 7, 2015 by expressyourself4him

In the 1984 film Footloose, John Lithgow plays reverend Shaw Moore.  After Moore’s son dies in a car accident coming home from a night of dancing, reverend Shaw responds by banning all music in his small rural Utah town.  Kevin Bacon, plays Ren, a high school senior who goes to a town hall meeting in an attempt to reverse this ban for a Senior Prom.  Following a rejection, Ren’s boss comes up with an alternative which is presented to Shaw Moore.  During his next Sunday message, the reverend is confronted with a dilemma.  Do I hold on to the past of trust God with the future?

But whatever were gains to me I now consider loss for the sake of Christ, Philippians 3:7.

Thirty years later, this question still applies.  Within each individual life, there are defining moments, trials which force people to mature.  How these events are handled, shape the outcome of lives.  Whether its death, illness or injury, bad things will occur sooner or later.  As Rich Mullins once sang prior to a car accident that ended his own life, there is bound to come some trouble to our lives.  When tragedy strikes, will you hold on to the past or trust God for the future?

Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already arrived at my goal, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me, Philippians 3:12.

When life takes an unexpected turn, its hard to get over it or fully recovery.  Almost four years after I lost my teaching position, I’m close to picking up all the pieces, but not where I would like to be.  Scars from the past are still present, resulting in soul spirit hurts that are not fully healed.  However, as the apostle Paul once said in a letter to the church at Philippi, you must learn to leave your past by keeping your eyes on the overall goal, heaven.  Therefore, the next time you reach a crossroad in life, let go of the past by trusting God with your future.

by Jay Mankus

 

 

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Witnesses of the Holy Spirit

Posted on October 13, 2015 by expressyourself4him

If you have ever witnessed an accident, there are several things which must take place before you can leave.  The police must be contacted, vehicles must be moved off to the side and witnesses need to give their account of what happened.  The authorities are trying to create a 360 degree picture of the scene.  When all of the accounts are written down, an accurate perspective is usually derived.

We are witnesses of these things, and so is the Holy Spirit, whom God has given to those who obey him, Acts 5:32.

When it comes to testifying about that which is unseen, accumulating information is much more difficult.  Perhaps a prayer spoken up to heaven is answered in a relatively quick time.  Or a financial need is met in a supernatural manner.  Some may even see a miracle unfold which defies logic.  If you have encountered any of these scenarios, maybe you have been a witness of the Holy Spirit.

Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? You are not your own, 1 Corinthians 6:19.

The apostle Paul puts a different spin on this topic.  Relying on Jesus’ words to his disciples in John 16, Paul suggests this counselor can actually enter your body.  This Holy Ghost transformed his brethren from scaredy cats to bold evangelists.  This display of faith likely inspired a generation of believers.  Although the presence of the Holy Spirit may be rare in these days and times, don’t be surprised if you become a witness to the Holy Spirit.

by Jay Mankus

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Escaping the Realm of the Dead

Posted on September 14, 2015 by expressyourself4him

Life and death, living and dying; celebrating the life of a new born baby or coping with the pain of a funeral.  This is the dilemma of the path on which life takes each individual down.  In the end, one question remains, how can you escape the realm of the dead?

Because you will not abandon me to the realm of the dead, you will not let your holy one see decay, Acts 2:27.

Over a two year period during my childhood, I began to experience a reoccurring nightmare.  Every evening I found myself falling from a cliff, gracefully skydiving until I realized I didn’t have a parachute.  Just before hitting the ground, I woke up, sweating and shaking.  I wasn’t sure why this pattern continued until I pondered the meaning of life.  “Where do we come from?  How did we magically arrive on earth?  It doesn’t make sense to be born to just die?  There must be something more, a place beyond the realm of the dead.”

I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God so that you may know that you have eternal life, 1 John 5:13.

If anyone could shine light into this question, its John, the disciple whom Jesus loved.  Part of Jesus’ inner circle, John had several conversations not mentioned in the Bible.  In addition, Jesus took care of Mary the mother of Jesus until her death, likely uncovering incredible spiritual insights.  At the end of one of his letters, John reveals that you can know for sure about your eternal destination.  Therefore, if you want to escape the realm of death, follow the words of Romans 10:9-10 and you too can secure your reservation in heaven.

by Jay Mankus

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