Tag Archives: inflation

A Gratitude Adjustment

Posted on March 24, 2022 by expressyourself4him

In this age of the Coronavirus, inflation and war with Russia invading Ukraine, gratitude has been pushed to the back of the line. When the world you are living in is literally falling apart, it’s hard to acknowledge the positive aspects of life. Watching breaking news stories on cable only makes me even more depressed. Before any sense of appreciation disappears completely in 2022, a gratitude adjustment is essential to keep hope alive.

Then one of them, upon seeing that he was cured, turned back, [c]recognizing and thanking and praising God with a loud voice; 16 And he fell prostrate at Jesus’ feet, thanking Him [over and over]. And he was a Samaritan, Luke 17:15-16.

Today’s passage comes from a first century physician. Instead of giving medical details of how these ten lepers were healed, Luke appears to be baffled. Based upon the end of verse 14, “as they went, they were cured and made clean,” the anticipation in the minds of these ten men played a crucial role. While nine walked faster and faster as if racing to see who could get to the priest first, one leper stopped, looked down and realized that he was miraculously healed.

Then Jesus asked, Were not [all] ten cleansed? Where are the nine? 18 Was there no one found to return and to [d]recognize and give thanks and praise to God except this alien? – Luke 17:17-18

Perhaps the other nine men were so eager to resume a normal life that they forgot to thank Jesus. Meanwhile, the Samaritan leper, who already understood what it felt like to be under appreciated in life was moved by God. Jesus was sent to call the Jews back to repentance, not the Samaritans. However, like the Samaritan woman at a well in John 4, a spirit of gratitude filled each of their hearts. When you slow down enough in life to see where you’ve been and what God has done, gratitude is the first step toward healing and happiness.

by Jay Mankus

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The Enough Syndrome

Posted on January 22, 2015 by expressyourself4him

Whether its the persistent increase of consumer prices or decline in the purchasing power of the dollar, most families and individuals understand how difficult it is to get ahead in this financial climate.  The majority fluctuate between not enough and just enough, making sacrifices to break even monthly.  Meanwhile, the blessed, talented and wealthy are fortunate to experience a more than enough income, reaching a place of security few can comprehend.

In everything I did, I showed you that by this kind of hard work we must help the weak, remembering the words the Lord Jesus himself said: ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’ ” – Acts 20:35

Prior to the bursting of the dot.com bubble on Wall Street, my wife and I made investments in two of the highest earning mutual funds in the world.  Thinking these were going to continue to rise in value and not wanting to pay the taxes for selling them, we elected to put less money down on our first house instead of cashing out to pay for our home in full.  This decision made sense until 2001 when the market tanked, flushing 60,000 dollars in paper money down the toilet.  Ever since this day, I know the anguish of the “Enough Syndrome,” living under the curse of not enough.

But remember the Lord your God, for it is he who gives you the ability to produce wealth, and so confirms his covenant, which he swore to your ancestors, as it is today. – Deuteronomy 8:18

From a spiritual perspective, the Jews were led by God through 3 similar phases in life.  During 400 years of slavery in Egypt, not enough was par for the course, an accepted way of life.  Upon their departure, able to pillage Egypt following the plague of the First Born, Israel spent 40 years in the Wilderness, graduating up to a just enough status as God provided manna, quail and water to meet their daily needs.  Finally, the promise of a land filled with milk and honey was fulfilled, giving birth to a generation who tasted more than enough.

But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.  Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own. – Matthew 6:33-34

Wherever you may be on this financial spectrum, remember the words of Job 1:21, “the Lord gives and takes away.”  Through the good times and the bad, there is a lesson to be learned.  At the end of each day, try to find and reflect on the positive things in your life, Philippians 4:8-9.  No matter how hard it may be, trust in the Lord to help you move from the months of not enough to years of more than enough!

by Jay Mankus

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Beyond Measure

Posted on September 10, 2013 by expressyourself4him

As I child, I enjoyed counting rare coins that my parents collected.  Placing our families spare change into a large jar located on a counter next to the main entrance, this giant piggy bank usually took a month or so to fill.  Once full, each coin was sorted on our kitchen table, separating the regular quarters, dimes, nickels and pennies from the valuable ones based upon dates and where each was minted.   Before the internet, large navy blue notebooks provided collectors with important informing above a coin sized filling system to hold each valuable coin, carefully pressed into place by my father.  Since I was the youngest, I was relegated the task of sorting the least valuable, but most common.  Though my family didn’t have much in my early years, we were frugal, savoring every penny.

Since Australia, Canada and New Zealand have recently phased out their version of the penny, American coin enthusiasts fear its days are numbered.  The cost of inflation might persuade leaders to discontinue the penny as it costs more to make than its actual worth.  If the penny is taken out of circulation, citizens, government officials and retailers are going have to develop a new way of measuring currency or simply round items up to the nearest nickel.  Since the days of 50 cent gas, 25 cent meals and 15 cent movie theater tickets are in our rear view mirror, the penny is on the verge of extinction.

During the days when Pharaoh reigned over Egypt, there was a 7 year period of bountiful harvests.  As a result, store houses went built around the fields in each city of Egypt, overseen by the governor Joseph.  According to Genesis 41:49, the yield from each area throughout the country was so plentiful, Joseph stopped counting since it was beyond measure.  This planning saved countless lives, serving as a security blanket during one of the worst 7 year drought Egypt ever faced.  Without Joseph’s insight from God, millions of people from the Middle East might have starved to death.

Whenever times are going well, people often forget to stop and give thanks to the Lord for their daily bread.  Success can result in pride, causing one to give yourself more credit than you deserve.  Yet, when famine or trials strike unexpectedly, God is usually the first to be blamed.  Instead of taking responsibility or blaming yourself for missing obvious signs from the Lord, the sinful mind distorts your perspective, Romans 8:5-8.  Beyond the measurements human beings make as well as previous judgments made by others, don’t forgot the James 1:17 principle.  Come to the realization that God is beyond measure; seeing yourself as a humble servant, trying to find your place in this world, Job 42:1-6.

by Jay Mankus

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A Grand Parent’s Prayer

Posted on June 24, 2013 by expressyourself4him

One of my favorite movie lines comes from the 2005 documentary End of the Spear.  Based on the true story of Operation Auca, Jim Elliott and 4 other missionary’s lose their life trying to bring the Gospel of Jesus Christ to the Waodani, a dangerous tribe from Ecuador.  Violence had prevented these men and women from ever becoming grandparents.  However, once their fearless leader, Mincayani embraces a new found faith, “this vicious cycle is stopped through peace, not by the end of the spear.”

The author of Psalm 128 shares a similar message.  Inside this short chapter, you will find an outline for blessings and prosperity.  Verse 1 claims fearing the Lord will lead you toward God’s ways.  If this advice is adhered to, you will experience the abundance within the flood gates of heaven, Malachi 3:10.  Yet, many still struggle with surrounding their entire lives to Christ, holding things back like Achan in Joshua 7.  As a result of partial acts of disobedience, many Christian’s are failing to live the abundant life which Jesus promises in John 10:10.  Instead, mediocrity reigns, leaving disappointment and unfulfilled expectations behind.

In my own life, I sense a time in the future when I could possibly become a grandparent.  While my parent’s worked hard for 40 years to achieve a better life in retirement, my generation may not be as fortunate.  The economy, inflation and societal demands has erased the life savings of many.  Yet, one thing the desperate can cling to is a grandparent’s prayer, “and may you live to see your children’s children.  Peace be upon Israel,” Psalm 128:6.

by Jay Mankus

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