Tag Archives: history

Engaging Our Culture: September 11-Have You Forgotten What Happened?

Posted on September 11, 2025 by expressyourself4him

Video of the Day: Clip from the 2006 movie “World Trade Center”

Bible Verse of the Day:

Now these things occurred as examples to keep us from setting our hearts on evil things as they did. 7 Do not be idolaters, as some of them were; as it is written: “The people sat down to eat and drink and got up to indulge in revelry.”[a] 8 We should not commit sexual immorality, as some of them did—and in one day twenty-three thousand of them died. 9 We should not test Christ,[b] as some of them did—and were killed by snakes. 10 And do not grumble, as some of them did—and were killed by the destroying angel. 11 These things happened to them as examples and were written down as warnings for us, on whom the culmination of the ages has come. 12 So, if you think you are standing firm, be careful that you don’t fall!  – 1 Corinthians 10:6-12

Biblical Connection:

I was an Independent Contractor when I received the news that the first plane hit the World Trade Center. Moments later I received a phone call telling me to stay home as I serviced a bank across the street from the Liberty Bell in Philadelphia. I also serviced a computer company, dropping off expedited orders to the Wilmington Airport on my way home each night. Today’s scene recounts what it was like for first responders on September 11th, 2001.

The apostle Paul provides a quick summary of the nation of Israel to the Church at Corinth. Unfortunately, many Jews lost faith on their way to God’s promised land. Subsequently, the 40 years living in the wilderness took a toll on the patience of many. While some events like September 11th are hard to comprehend 24 years later, there are self-inflicted wounds that occur. May you learn from history so that mankind doesn’t repeat the mistakes and sins of the past.

Closing Song:

The original lyrics to Have You Forgotten have been altered slightly due to political correctness. Yet when you do your own research, you’ll find that knowing history prevents repeating historical blunders, errors and trespasses.

by Jay Mankus

Leave a comment

Posted in Truth and tagged , , , , . Bookmark the permalink.

Engaging Our Culture: July 1-Painful Reminders of War

Posted on July 1, 2025 by expressyourself4him

Video of the Day: Clip from the 1993 movie “Gettysburg”

Bible Verse of the Day:

Jesus answered: “Watch out that no one deceives you. 5 For many will come in my name, claiming, ‘I am the Messiah,’ and will deceive many. 6 You will hear of wars and rumors of wars, but see to it that you are not alarmed. Such things must happen, but the end is still to come. 7 Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be famines and earthquakes in various places. 8 All these are the beginning of birth pains, Matthew 24:4-8.

Biblical Connection:

The battle at Gettysburg began on July 1st in 1863 between the Confederate and Union armies. Over 46,000 soldiers were killed in this Civil War conflict making Gettysburg the deadliest. In today’s scene, Colonel Pickett meets up with the remainder of the Confederate forces. Wondering where his soldiers were, Pickett announces his men were part of the 7,058 Confederate fatalities.

Jesus is asked about the destruction of the temple in connection with end times prior to his reply in Matthew 24. Eager to find out the exact date and time, Jesus opts to leave a series of clues to look for to ascertain signs of end times. Later on in this chapter, Jesus compares these moments in history to the pains of a woman giving birth. When I study history, I am always stunned by fatalities statistics that serve of painful reminders of war.

Closing Song:

As the heat of July continues to shine down on you, don’t forget the grave cost of war. May the lyrics of today’s song remind you that there is an ongoing spiritual war that continues today, Ephesians 6:10-12.

by Jay Mankus

Leave a comment

Posted in Truth and tagged , , , , . Bookmark the permalink.

Engaging Our Culture: March 17-Setting the Record Straight About the Real St. Patrick

Posted on March 17, 2025 by expressyourself4him

Video of the Day: Trailor from 2020 film “St. Patrick: Pilgrimage to Peace”

Bible Verse of the Day:

“But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth,” Acts 1:8.

Biblical Connection:

According to a first century historian, today’s verse are the final words spoken by Jesus before he ascends into heaven after rising from the dead, on Easter Sunday, weeks before. This trailer about St. Patrick’s life begins with a man on the street interview, asking individuals celebrating St. Patrick’s Day. The secularization of this holiday has evolved into a modern-day pagan festival. Yet, the real St. Patrick followed Jesus’ command known as the Great Commission and became an apostle of Ireland, bringing the good news about Jesus Christ, John 3:16-17, to this nation.

St. Patrick was persecuted for his Christian faith during the fifth century, taken to Ireland as a slave at the age of 16. Following a similar path of the Old Testament Joseph in Genesis 37:19-27. Despite these initial hardships, God was with St. Patrick as his faith came alive in captivity. When the timing was right, God allowed Patrick to escape and return to his home in Great Britain. Like Paul Harvey would say in his radio program, the Rest of the Story involves a return trip to Ireland. However, this one wasn’t forced as Patrick followed a call from God to Christianize the Irish people.

Closing Song:

As you engage in traditional St. Patrick Day parties, make sure you share the truth about the man who inspired this celebration. If you do, Paul Harvey would be proud to know that you’ve revealed the rest of the story about St. Patrick.

by Jay Mankus

Leave a comment

Posted in Truth and tagged , , , , . Bookmark the permalink.

Engaging Our Culture: January 9-Desire and Determination

Posted on January 9, 2025 by expressyourself4him

Video of the Day: Scene from the 2006 film “Invincible”

Bible Verse of the Day:

Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. 10 Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers, Galatians 6:9-10.

Biblical Connection:

As someone who grew up 30 minutes from Veterans Stadium, the Vince Papale story holds a special place in my heart. Hall of Fame sportswriter Ray Didinger coined Vince Papale’s unlikely rise from bartender to Philadelphia Eagle as Invincible. Ray’s nickname for Vince became the title of this 2006 film starring Mark Wahlberg who plays Papale. Today’s clip features a special team’s practice during training train back when players practiced 3 times each day. To gain an advantage, Papale changes to lighter pads in between practices to help compensate for his lack of world class speed. Desire and determination caught Eagles Head Coach Dick Vermeil’s eye, played by Greg Kinnear.

Churches across the country participate in a fast every January, often lasting up to 21 days, with some up to 40 days. By the middle of week two, many may be tempted to quit like those who have already broken their New Years Resolutions. However, if you really want to change and be transformed by God in 2025, hang in there so that you will reap a harvest beyond your wildest dreams. You may not become a professional athlete like Vince Papale or be successful in altering your diet and exercise routines, but God is not done with you. God’s Spirit is willing to give you desire and determination, but human bodies are weak, Matthew 26:41. Keep going by drawing near to God, like the words of the Song In Christ Alone.

Closing Song:

An interactive blog to engage our culture in 2025 by Jay Mankus.

Leave a comment

Posted in Truth and tagged , , , , . Bookmark the permalink.

The Relationship Between Posterity and God’s Remnant

Posted on November 1, 2023 by expressyourself4him

As a former teacher who has taught a history class, not many Americans have heard about the spiritual heritage of the United States. Did you know that local education began at churches serving as an outreach to the illiterate in their communities? Or that the New England Primer introduced each letter of the alphabet with a verse from the Bible? While completing his summary on the life of Joseph, Moses refers to the relationship between posterity and God’s remnant.

God sent me before you to preserve for you a posterity and to continue a remnant on the earth, to save your lives by a great escape and save for you many survivors, Genesis 45:7.

Posterity refers to all future generations of people. Meanwhile, remnant is a small remaining quantity of people from a specific place or share a common interest. What Moses is trying to say in the passage above, Joseph’s life via God’s providence protected and secured the future of the Israelites. By moving from Canaan to Egypt, God will provide all they need to survive this drought.

For I am persuaded beyond doubt (am sure) that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities, nor things [n]impending and threatening nor things to come, nor powers, 39 Nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation will be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord, Romans 8:38-39.

Due to the shrewd and shift actions taken by Joseph as governor of Egypt, the Pharaoh welcomed Joseph’s family with opened arms. However, over the years as Israelites prospered, new Pharaoh’s forgot how Joseph saved their country and placed them into slavery for 400 years. This is why the promises of God in the Bible are needed to carry on through from the tough times in life so that future Christian generations will endure the trials of today.

by Jay Mankus

Leave a comment

Posted in Truth and tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , . Bookmark the permalink.

A Sibling Rivalry or Tattle Tale?

Posted on August 30, 2023 by expressyourself4him

Working too closely with family members on a project has a history of resulting in a clash of personalities. As the youngest boy in his family, Joseph appears to care more about doing chores than his older brothers. Or like any city/government job, one person is forced to do all the work as everyone else takes an extended break. Whatever happened while tending sheep, Moses suggests that Joseph is a tattle tale, complaining to his father about the lack of effort from his brothers.

So Jacob dwelt in the land in which his father had been a stranger and sojourner, in the land of Canaan. 2 This is the history of the descendants of Jacob and this is Jacob’s line. Joseph, when he was seventeen years old, was shepherding the flock with his brothers; the lad was with the sons of Bilhah and Zilpah, his father’s [secondary] wives; and Joseph brought to his father a bad report of them, Genesis 37:1-2.

As the youngest child in my family, I understand what Joseph is trying to do. Joseph was still eager to please his father. Apparently, Joseph’s older brothers were going through a too cool stage or simply didn’t care any more about tending the flocks. Perhaps, Joseph should have probed his brothers with questions, inquiring more about why they feel the way they do. Nonetheless, Joseph ends up looking like a tattle tale while his brothers were merely going through the motions in life.

Now while they were on their way, it occurred that Jesus entered a certain village, and a woman named Martha received and welcomed Him into her house. 39 And she had a sister named Mary, who seated herself at the Lord’s feet and was listening to His teaching. 40 But Martha [overly occupied and too busy] was distracted with much serving; and she came up to Him and said, Lord, is it nothing to You that my sister has left me to serve alone? Tell her then to help me [to lend a hand and do her part along with me]! 41 But the Lord replied to her by saying, Martha, Martha, you are anxious and troubled about many things; 42 There is need of only one or but [i]a few things. Mary has chosen the good portion [[j]that which is to her advantage], which shall not be taken away from her, Luke 10:38-42.

A first century doctor records another sibling rivalry, this time between sisters. Martha is the older sister who seeks fulfillment through working hard and making sure her house is spotless for guests. The younger Mary is a relational person, longing to find out how everyone is doing. While the oldest plays the role of tattle tale in this story, Jesus rebukes Martha for missing the mark. If there is a side to every story, make sure that you take advantage of the conversations that you have daily.

by Jay Mankus

Leave a comment

Posted in Truth and tagged , , , , , , , , , . Bookmark the permalink.

The Crossover Connection Week 28: The Evolution from Soft to Hard Rock

Posted on August 12, 2023 by expressyourself4him

When it comes to music, I have a history of being late to the party. Yet, in 1989, I came across today’s featured band in one of those impulse purchases at the counter of my favorite Christian bookstore before it closed. Liaison debuted as a soft rock group, somewhere between Air Supply and Boston. Three years later, Liaison transformed into a Christian version of Cinderella.

But the [Holy] Spirit distinctly and expressly declares that in latter times some will turn away from the faith, giving attention to deluding and seducing spirits and doctrines that demons teach, 2 Through the hypocrisy and pretensions of liars whose consciences are seared (cauterized), 3 Who forbid people to marry and [teach them] to abstain from [certain kinds of] foods which God created to be received with thanksgiving by those who believe and have [an increasingly clear] knowledge of the truth, 1 Timothy 4:1-3.

Songs like Go and Sin No More and Kick It Down were on the Sampler CD that I purchased. These hit songs from Liaison’s debut album led to 4 total albums. Liaison’s second album Urgency served as a transition from soft rock to mainly rock songs. When Liaison released Hard Hitter in 1992, I believe this if their most appealing album. I hope that you have time to enjoy Liaison this week.

by Jay Mankus

Leave a comment

Posted in Truth and tagged , , , , , , , , , . Bookmark the permalink.

Waiting Until the Time God Sets

Posted on April 18, 2023 by expressyourself4him

Despite how impatient human beings can be, waiting is part of God’s process. If everyone got what they wanted and when they wanted it in life, there would be no intrigue or mystery. Meanwhile, history is like a series of cycles that often repeats itself, especially when mankind doesn’t learn from the mistakes of the past. As individuals set out to achieve desired goals, success often does not come until the time God determines.

The Lord visited Sarah as He had said, and the Lord did for her as He had promised. 2 For Sarah became pregnant and bore Abraham a son in his old age, at the set time God had told him, Genesis 21:1-2.

Whenever this topic comes up in a conversation, I always remember when I waited to become a PGA teaching professional. The initial step begins by passing a Player’s Ability Test, shooting a set score for 36 holes in one day based upon the difficulty of the course. During my first attempt, I hit the ball great, played the hardest hole one under par, but missed by 2 shots because I played the easiest hole three over par with 7 putts. If I just two and three putted this short par 3, I would have become what I wanted, not God’s will for my life.

 I have seen the painful labor and exertion and miserable business which God has given to the sons of men with which to exercise and busy themselves. 11 He has made everything beautiful in its time. He also has planted eternity in men’s hearts and minds [a divinely implanted sense of a purpose working through the ages which nothing under the sun but God alone can satisfy], yet so that men cannot find out what God has done from the beginning to the end, Ecclesiastes 3:10-11.

Abraham and Sarah experienced their own soap opera on the way to having their first child together. Despite trying for more than a decade, Sarah’s womb remained barren. The older each became, the more unlikely Sarah’s dream of having her own child would become a reality. Nonetheless, the circumstances became so overwhelming, that only God’s power and His time could have conceived Isaac. This is just one of many examples of waiting until the time God sets for His promise and will to be fulfilled.

by Jay Mankus

Leave a comment

Posted in Truth and tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , . Bookmark the permalink.

A Mighty Hunter Before the Lord

Posted on February 2, 2023 by expressyourself4him

History books speak to early civilizations as hunters and gatherers. While I have a green thumb from time to time with successful gardens, hunting is something I’ve never done. The closest thing I’ve done to hunting is catching fish in a net to stock the dammed creek in my back yard. Despite having relatives who are skilled deer hunters with bow and shotguns, I can barely hit the target at rifle ranges. Subsequently, it’s hard to relate to the man Moses refers to as a mighty hunter before the Lord.

Cush became the father of Nimrod; he was the first to be a mighty man on the earth. 9 He was a mighty hunter before the Lord; therefore it is said, Like Nimrod, a mighty hunter before the Lord, Genesis 10:8-9.

Perhaps, Nimrod was the Clint Eastwood of his day, able to shoot any moving target at a moment’s notice. Maybe this athletic ability skipped me and was given to my oldest son James who earned the honor of expert marksman at summer camp while in high school. All those years of playing video games as a child paid off for him. Yet, what qualities did a mighty hunter before the Lord possess and what exactly does that look like?

The beginning of his kingdom was Babel, Erech, Accad, and Calneh, in the land of Shinar [in Babylonia], Genesis. 10:10.

I suppose that whenever Nimrod went out hunting to provide food for his family, he never came home without something hanging over his shoulder. As someone with the gift of writing in the Spirit, Nimrod likely had a sixth sense for hunting, able to track down animals like an American Indian who lives off the land. Just as Enoch habitually walked with God, Nimrod followed the Spirit’s leading until catching the game he set out on was completed. This is all we know about Nimrod, a mighty hunter before the Lord.

by Jay Mankus

Leave a comment

Posted in Truth and tagged , , , , , , , , , . Bookmark the permalink.

Qualities That God Sees as Putrid

Posted on January 24, 2023 by expressyourself4him

Whenever I attempt to write, I try to expand my vocabulary by using synonyms to better magnify the English language. Yet, like anyone who stops growing mentality, it’s easy to fall into ruts with the same bland words over and over again. As I’m studying the life of Noah, depraved and putrid are words I haven’t heard in years. Perhaps, as minds become lazy, four-letter curse words have become a more normal manner in which Americans now freely express their emotions and feelings.

The earth was depraved and putrid in God’s sight, and the land was filled with violence (desecration, infringement, outrage, assault, and lust for power), 12 And God looked upon the world and saw how degenerate, debased, and vicious it was, for all humanity had corrupted their way upon the earth and lost their true direction. Genesis 6:11-12.

As a history buff, two major societal cycles occur in the first twenty chapters of the Bible. While Moses is not as descriptive in Genesis 6 as the deeds committed by the inhabitants of Sodom and Gomorrah in Genesis 18, both chapters highlight moral depravity. Whenever human beings start doing what’s right in their own eyes by disregarding God’s commands, moral standards plummet. Moses words in the passage above are similar to what Paul writes in Romans 1:18-20.

But the [Holy] Spirit distinctly and expressly declares that in latter times some will turn away from the faith, giving attention to deluding and seducing spirits and doctrines that demons teach, 2 Through the hypocrisy and pretensions of liars whose consciences are seared (cauterized), 1 Timothy 4:1-2.

The context of the apostle Paul’s words points to depraved and putrid souls, out of touch with God. Later on in Paul’s epistle, he explains that the sinful are in direct conflict with the Holy Spirit, Romans 8:5-8. Just as I gained 25 pounds during my first semester in college by having access to as much food as I wanted, depraved and putrid qualities are merely Christians who have become fat and out of shape spiritually. As a near year begins, may this blog inspire you to hunger and thirst for God in 2023.

by Jay Mankus

Leave a comment

Posted in Truth and tagged , , , , , . Bookmark the permalink.
← Older Posts
→