Tag Archives: Land of the Lost television series

The Land of Lost Love

Posted on January 27, 2013 by expressyourself4him

Pink Floyd once sang about what I feel in my heart today in their song Comfortably Numb.  The 4th stanza’s lyrics express the following: “There is no pain you are receding; A distant ship’s smoke on the horizon; You are only coming through in waves; Your lips move, But I can’t hear what you’re saying.”  My issue is not with words.  Rather, my concern is with a lack of action.  After reading Proverbs 17 this morning, I am left to question, where has all the love gone in America?

According to verse 9, anyone who covers over an offense promotes love.  Unfortunately, what I watch on television or experience in life is another story.  Reality Television series ratings seem to skyrocket when cursing, drama and fights are portrayed.  While a friend is suppose to love at all times, Proverbs 17:17, back stabbing, gossip and trash talking appear to sell, making Hollywood millions of dollars each year.  Meanwhile, family value shows are becoming extinct or cast off like Marshall, Will and Holly into the Land of the Lost.

The only kind of love I regularly see is eros, the Greek word for sensual or sexual love.  Every time I go to buy groceries, magazines surround the checkout counter, filling your mind with unwholesome thoughts if you’re not careful.  Philia, the Greek word for brotherly love pops its head up from time to time.  People like Tim Tebow, Bethany Hamilton and communities like Ocean City, New Jersey keep this kind of love alive.  However, agape, translated unconditional love is even vanishing from churches.  Grudges, power hungry individuals and unforgiveness is stripping Christianity from its main attraction.

Instead of living in a land of love, crushed spirits continue to reign, Proverbs 17:22.  In the absence of a cheerful heart, the medicine people seek is missing, awol, absent without love.  If there ever was a time for the fulfillment of Ezekiel 22:30, the time is now.  Who will stand in the gap of a unloving world and love the unlovable?  If someone doesn’t act quickly, we might all become comfortably numb.  Developing a Philippians 4:8-9 mindset is a good place to start.  The rest depends on how well people live out the Bible.  Choose agape love today!

by Jay Mankus

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Blazing A New Trail in 2013

Posted on January 2, 2013 by expressyourself4him

Pencader, Glasgow, St. Georges, Chritiana, Delaware State Atlas 1868

A few years ago, my 2 sons James and Daniel, went through a mountain bike phase.  To encourage this new interest as a father, I began to invest an hour a day riding bikes with my boys after school.  Over a period of 6 months, the 3 of us discovered several miles of trails surrounding our development in Newark, formerly known as Purgatory Swamp during the Revolutionary War.

The main trail was clear and worn down by ATV’s, local residents walking their dogs and fellow bike riders.  Popular side trails were still intact with a couple of overgrown areas in need of pruning and trimming, a good project for a long weekend.  The deeper we explored into the thick forests and swampy conditions, we discovered a dozen other paths that faded away, hidden by fallen debris, exotic overgrown sticker bushes and piles of trash left by teenagers.

Like a Lewis and Clark expedition or Land of the Lost television series, my crew investigated these ruins for 2 years, mainly during the summer.  We unearthed an ancient shooting range, paths to no where vanishing into thin air and an inner chain of short cuts connecting the outer loop by 2 distinct inner section of trails.  Left for dead by a generation of young people addicted to cell phones, game systems and the internet, we revived as many paths as we could for future voyagers to enjoy.  Today, these meandering walkways are marked with spray paint every half mile forming 2 cross country courses of 2.1 and 3.1 miles.  While fads come and go, the path to heaven remains a constant, Matthew 7:13-14.

With 2013 fresh in people’s minds, its time to blaze a new trail.  Whether its in Delaware, another state in America or another country, the time is now to act.  My days of sulking are over with a new adventure, career and opportunity waiting for me and my family.  Like the classic Steven Curtis Chapman album The Great Adventure, its time to “Saddle Up Your Horses!”  As you begin your own journey in 2013, don’t forget the words of the prophet in Hosea 4:6, “people perish without knowledge and vision!”  Get plugged into the Holy Spirit, Titus 3:4-5 so that you will be able to endure any obstacles 2013 throws at you!  “Go with God and He will go with you,” Mark Lowry.

by Jay Mankus

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