Tag Archives: higher education

When Darkness Blinds Your Eyes

Posted on April 13, 2022 by expressyourself4him

Twenty-five years ago, I moved back to the East Coast to attend seminary. While pursuing my masters, I two worked jobs and took classes at night. While this schedule was grueling at times, I felt called to complete this higher education. After completing one third of my classes, I contracted a severe case of iritis. Following a trip to an emergency room, I was hurled into darkness with my future vision in doubt.

But he who hates (detests, despises) his brother [[i]in Christ] is in darkness and walking (living) in the dark; he is straying and does not perceive or know where he is going, because the darkness has blinded his eyes, 1 John 2:11.

One of Jesus’ disciples is referring to a spiritual form of blindness. John isn’t taking about planks in your eyes that impairs your vision, Matthew 7:1-5. Rather, addictions, bad habits, and sinful tendencies allow darkness to enter your life. This spiritual darkness often prevents you from seeing clearly, unable to confront a sinful lifestyle that is so obvious to everyone who cares about you.

To open their eyes that they may turn from darkness to light and from the power of Satan to God, so that they may thus receive forgiveness and release from their sins and a place and portion among those who are consecrated and purified by faith in Me, Acts 26:18.

According to Luke who just happens to be a doctor, Satan has the power to blind Christians. When your life is filled with darkness, your objectivity and perception to change is clouded. One of the ways to restore your spiritual vision is through confession and contrition. Another way to restore your sight is by reading and studying the Bible. As you uncover truth, the truth will set you free from sin, John 8:32.

by Jay Mankus

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Beyond the Reach of Change and Decay

Posted on February 10, 2022 by expressyourself4him
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FhNqb5dHynk

Life is full of adjustments as individuals advance from elementary education, toward higher education and begin chasing a career, dream and goal. This process of development goes through many phases and stages, often bringing unforeseen barriers and obstacles. Unfortunately, not everyone is able to complete or reach their full potential as death rudely ends the pursuit toward being content and happy.

Praised (honored, blessed) be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ (the Messiah)! By His boundless mercy we have been born again to an ever-living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, 4 [Born anew] into an inheritance which is beyond the reach of change and decay [imperishable], unsullied and unfading, reserved in heaven for you, 1 Peter 1:3-4.

Despite the harsh reality of being mortal, the Bible speaks of resurrection power. This supernatural force made it possible for Jesus to be beyond the reach of change and decay. From a strictly earthly sense, if the Holy Spirit was able to raise Jesus from the dead, then human beings can change for the better. However, unless belief and faith is present, the worries of this world will wear you down over time.

But if Christ lives in you, [then although] your [natural] body is dead by reason of sin and guilt, the spirit is alive because of [the] righteousness [that He imputes to you]. 11 And if the Spirit of Him Who raised up Jesus from the dead dwells in you, [then] He Who raised up Christ Jesus from the dead will also restore to life your mortal (short-lived, perishable) bodies through His Spirit Who dwells in you. 12 So then, brethren, we are debtors, but not to the flesh [we are not obligated to our carnal nature], to live [a life ruled by the standards set up by the dictates] of the flesh, Romans 8:10-12.

According to the apostle Paul, Christ must reside within your heart to successfully overcome a sinful nature. Whenever Christians allow their faith to become dormant, the flesh will get the best of you and cripple your ability to change for the better. If you’re serious about the afterlife, remember your obligation to live according to the Holy Spirit, Galatians 5:25. This is the only force that will enable you to go beyond the reach of change and decay.

by Jay Mankus

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Self Educated or Radicalized?

Posted on September 3, 2020 by expressyourself4him

Nine schools of higher education were founded during Colonial times in North America. While several claim to be the first established college, Harvard University opened in 1636 in Boston, Massachusetts. Since the English first landed in New England, logically it makes sense that the first American university was built here. This school was initially a training ground for aspiring ministers. However, today Harvard strives to create knowledge by opening the minds of students to this knowledge and to enable students to take best advantage of their educational opportunities.

As for myself, brethren, when I came to you, I did not come proclaiming to you the testimony and evidence or mystery and secret of God [concerning what He has done through Christ for the salvation of men] in lofty words of eloquence or human philosophy and wisdom; 1 Corinthians 2:1.

Unfortunately, college was limited to the wealthy and upper class until the last century. Subsequently, it wasn’t uncommon for young boys to drop out of school to help provide for their family. The Keating-Owen Act of 1916, prohibited the shipment by interstate commerce of products made by children. Federal legislation was not enacted until 1938 with the passage of the Fair Labor Standards Act which set guidelines for child labor. Young entrepreneurs like Andrew Carnegie saw no need for formal education, opting to become self educated by reading books on desired topics.

For I resolved to know nothing (to be acquainted with nothing, to make a display of the knowledge of nothing, and to be conscious of nothing) among you except Jesus Christ (the Messiah) and Him crucified, 1 Corinthians 2:2.

Beginning in the late 1960’s, higher institutions of learning became a breeding ground for progressive professors. Although this transformation didn’t occur overnight, this shift from knowledge to ideology is nearly complete. Today, students can major in Community Organization and Advocacy, Social Justice or minor in a variety of politically oriented concentrations. To the wealthy, attending college is chump change, but most families end up depending upon student loans to get their child through four years or more. Perhaps, a time is coming in the near future when high school graduates will choose to be self-educated rather than be surrounded by radical professors pushing their specific worldview.

by Jay Mankus

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Taking Ownership of A Desire for Greatness

Posted on May 9, 2018 by expressyourself4him

In a June 2013 post on Live Science, Stephanie Pappas wrote about some parents wanting to live their lives through their kids.  One of the flaws to this mindset is that rarely do these teenagers share the same desire for greatness.  When potential is revealed, seen or witnessed, aspiring parents may encourage, nudge or push children into a specific activity, hobby or sport.  Thousands of dollars are shelled out per year for competitions, equipment, lessons and travel teams.  With the rising costs of higher education, a full ride is the only way some students will ever be able to attend college.  Thus, parents do whatever they can for a loved one.  The only question is do these potential stars share the same dreams and vision of their parents?

God thunders wondrously with his voice; he does great things that we cannot comprehend, Job 37:5.

You make a case for both sides of this argument.  For example, take Tiger Woods whose father Earl prepared Eldrick to become a golfing phenom as soon as he could walk.  Earl Woods used his military background to mentality test Tiger’s mind for every scenario on a golf course and in a tournament.  During Tiger’s prime, Woods was a machine, defying the experts with an epic run toward the greatest golfer of all time.  However, when Earl Woods died in May of 2006, Tiger’s amazing stretch slowed down after winning the 2008 United States Open, his last major title.  While injuries has played a part to his decline, perhaps Earl’s absence enabled Tiger to let his guard down, to lose his edge.  Whatever the reason, Tiger has altered his goals, enjoying playing golf again with a healthy body.

You will increase my greatness and comfort me again, Psalm 71:21.

Meanwhile, Jennifer Capriati is a good counter for the opposing side whose parents seemed to want success more than Jennifer at times.  This tennis star turned pro at age 13, winning 3 majors and a gold medal at the 1992 Olympic Games.  However, television displayed the emotion of a teenager taking center stage before fully maturing.  Between Jennifer’s initial success, her parent’s desire for greatness and becoming burned out at an early age for a professional athlete, Capriati’s full potential was never realized.  Like anyone I’m sure she would like to go back and do certain things differently, yet at some point rising stars need to take ownership of a parent’s desire for greatness.  If not, greatness will fizzle out sooner rather than later.

I can do all things through him who strengthens me, Philippians 4:13.

As a parent, I struggle with knowing when to push my children and when to walk away.  I believe every parent wants the best for their children, but selfish desires may interfere with your own ability to be a good parent.  During my fifteen years of coaching high school and youth sports, I found myself caring more than my players.  I take each defeat and loss personally, re-evaluating in my mind to see if I did everything in my power to set my players up for success.  In some circumstances, I was responsible for a loss, taking the blame.  However, I learned that if my kids don’t care, I need to rethink my priorities.  Am I too serious, not forceful enough or do I need to let go to see if someone takes ownership of a desire for greatness?  I still haven’t figured this out, but I am hopeful and prayerful that one day my children will develop a desire for greatness in this life.

by Jay Mankus

 

 

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Higher Education?

Posted on March 16, 2018 by expressyourself4him

Lake Ingle was a typical teenager, hoping to pursue higher education after graduating from high school.  Initially wanting to play sports in college, Ingle choose Indiana University of Pennsylvania to pursue this dream.  However, after Lake realized his athletic abilities weren’t good enough to compete at this level of competition, Ingle decided to turn his attention toward academics.

Therefore a man shall leave his father and his mother and hold fast to his wife, and they shall become one flesh, Genesis 2:24.

Now a senior, this religious studies major made national news for being kicked out of class recently.  During a Christianity 481: Self, Sin and Salvation lecture, Ingle became offended by something professor Alison Downie taught.  After a 20 minute video on mansplaining, sexism from men and male privilege, professor Downie asked students for their thoughts. When none of the women spoke up, Lake stood up for his beliefs which are supported by the Bible, claiming there are only 2 genders.  For acting upon his conviction, Lake Ingle has been barred from this class, citing the class disruption policy at IUP.

He who finds a wife finds a good thing and obtains favor from the Lord. Proverbs 18:22.

A little over 20 years ago, I moved from the mid-west to seek a masters in theological studies on the east coast.  During a visit to one of my potential seminaries, I meet with the dean of academics of a school in Pennsylvania.  During this conversation, I interrupted this woman briefly to reply to  a shocking comment.  Instead of studying the Bible in its proper historical context, this school believed in allowing each student to come up with different conclusions on their own.  In the other words, there is no absolute truth.  Whenever I hear reports from institutions of higher learning like at IUP, this crisis of faith is a by product of the elimination of absolute truths.  Unless this trend is reversed, the term higher education will merely be a word, not reality.

by Jay Mankus

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Class Not Clash

Posted on August 29, 2017 by expressyourself4him

Everyone reaches a point where you lose touch with an opposing point of view.  During one of my final years of teaching, let’s just say I had a class of unique 9th graders.  My regularly scheduled lesson plans weren’t working so I was forced to adapt, developing a debate style of curriculum to engage these students.  Despite a few heated moments, I was pleasantly surprised to discover I did have things in common with opposing worldviews.  This is one of the positive outcomes when you learn to debate with class, not clash.

But in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect, 1 Peter 3:15.

Unfortunately, there is a growing movement within higher education to replace debate with protests.  Instead of accumulating and debating the facts, students are being encouraged to rise up against injustice, offensive symbols and if necessary incite violence.  The end goal is to pressure public officials to give into their demands.  As leaders abandon principles by giving into this pressure, the more successful this approach becomes.  This is what happens when you allow clashing to reign.

Keeping a clear conscience, so that those who speak maliciously against your good behavior in Christ may be ashamed of their slander, 1 Peter 3:16.

So which practice is better, to debate with class or clash?  Is having a national debate with both sides present the best option?  After all the evidence is conveyed, individuals can decide which argument is more convincing.  Or should we can leave things the way it is, allowing social media to set the daily narrative.  Meanwhile, anyone who doesn’t adhere or agree with Progressive views is demonized, stigmatized or trashed.  Is the opposition afraid of debating controversial topics?  Is it that the truth will expose flawed worldviews?  Whatever the reason, I pray that Americans will return to a more civil style of debate with class.

by Jay Mankus

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