Tag Archives: laugh

Am I Too Old for Pleasure?

Posted on May 9, 2020 by expressyourself4him

While age is a number, aging is a state of mind. If you believe in science, reaching a specific age has limitations. For a woman who wants to get married and have children before turning forty, their biological clock is ticking. Although anything is possible with God, the odds go down each year you wait to walk in faith.

Now Abraham and Sarah were old, well advanced in years; it had ceased to be with Sarah as with [young] women. [She was past the age of childbearing]. 12 Therefore Sarah laughed to herself, saying, After I have become aged shall I have pleasure and delight, my lord (husband), being old also? – Genesis 18:11-12

When Sarah was well beyond the age of bearing children, she gave up hope. Upon overhearing news that Abraham would have a son, Sarah laughed. One translation suggests that Sarah doubted the ability to still have pleasure with her husband. Nonetheless, this promise sets the stage for an epic miracle. The name Isaac is a masculine name from the Hebrew term Yitzchak meaning “he laughs.”

You will show me the path of life; in Your presence is fullness of joy, at Your right hand there are pleasures forevermore, Psalm 16:11.

The Psalmist adds another dimension to pleasure. When individuals are shown and revealed the path of life, God’s will, a fullness of joy is unleashed. Jesus eludes to a similar experience during the first century. John 10:10 discloses God’s purpose on earth, to live an abundant life. Thus, as individuals find their place in this world, walking with God brings pleasure, no matter how young or old that you may be.

by Jay Mankus

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No Soup for You

Posted on June 30, 2018 by expressyourself4him

Every so often sitcoms create a character that people connect with or relate.  Whether a friend or foe, hero or villain, this individual is like someone from your own life.  When Seinfeld introduced the Soup Nazi in November of 1995, this anal business owner was rigid, strict and quick to refuse non-conforming customers food.  This setting provided ideal segments for viewers to laugh.

Therefore become imitators of God [copy Him and follow His example], as well-beloved children [imitate their father]; 2 and walk continually in love [that is, value one another—practice empathy and compassion, unselfishly seeking the best for others], just as Christ also loved you and gave Himself up for us, an offering and sacrifice to God [slain for you, so that it became] a sweet fragrance, Ephesians 5:1-2.

During my final few years of teaching high school, I relied on Summit Ministries to provide cutting edge material for my curriculum.  One of the seminars that I attended involved the concept that art often imitates life.  A 2011 article in Psychology Today eludes to how poetry often reflects cultural, philosophical and societal trends.  Thus, its no wonder that the practices of the Soup Nazi decades ago have resurfaced today.

May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope, Romans 15:13.

In recent weeks, those who support, wear apparel or work for president Trump are being denied service, harassed and heckled whenever they go.  Florida attorney general Pamela Bondi was bullied at a movie theater, press secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders was denied service at a Virginia restaurant and others have been followed by protesters outside of their homes.  Perhaps, its time to go back in time to the days of Mr. Rogers so that neighborhoods will overcome a soup Nazi mentality with a spirit of hope, faith and love.

by Jay Mankus

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Out of Touch; Nearly Out of Time

Posted on May 25, 2015 by expressyourself4him

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o6x151-SvBQ

Late Night Shows and comedy segments often do a Man on the Street interview to get a laugh.  If the topic was the meaning of Memorial Day, young kids would likely reply with selfish comments.   “A three day weekend, time off school, the first day of summer”.  Unfortunately, remembering those who have died while serving the United States has become out of state out of mind.

If we claim to have fellowship with him and yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not live out the truth, 1 John 1:6.

The concept of the soul was inspiration for Hall and Oates 1985 song Out of Touch.  Afraid individuals would lose their soul, John Oates etched this chorus: You’re out of touch I’m out of time But I’m out of my head When you’re not around.  This sense of urgency is missing from a generation spoiled by the freedom in America.  As more and more veterans pass away annually, their time has come to an end.

Whoever claims to live in him must live as Jesus did, 1 John 2:6.

Spiritually speaking, the church is out of touch and nearly out of time to sway a country leaning to the left.  As hearts and minds embrace secular humanism, who will stand up, blaze a new trail and ignite souls to pursue Christ.  Perhaps, most are still out of touch, distracted by a world gone wild.  Nearly out of time, who will come forth to follow in the footsteps of Jesus.

by Jay Mankus

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Dating Nightmares

Posted on February 26, 2015 by expressyourself4him

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zv2ROWsWsTY

If Solomon proclaimed there is a time for everything, then its important every now and then to laugh at painful memories from your past.  While I wasn’t laughing at this specific moment, my worst dating nightmare could be a classic comedy movie or at worst a perfect idea for an episode in a sitcom.  This memory began on the first day of school, my senior year in high school.  While trying to memorize my locker combination, an attractive new student wandered down the hall, a couple of lockers away from me.  Before the week was over, I asked her out and she said yes; this was the highlight of my weekend.

A time to weep and a time to laugh, a time to mourn and a time to dance, Ecclesiastes 3:4.t

Upon arriving at her home to pick her up, I didn’t realize I had asked Marcia Brady out on a date.  Before I knew it, I was being interrogated like a suspect for a crime.  Questions such as “have you had a speeding ticket in the last 6 months” bombarded like a dodge ball game gone bad.  Thirty minutes later, I was set free, but I felt like I was attending a funeral rather than a date.  While everyone in front of me and behind me at the movie theater were cracking up at my jokes, my date never giggled once.  Upon asking if she wanted to go out for ice cream afterward, she replied with another rejection.

One who has unreliable friends soon comes to ruin, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother, Proverbs 18:24.

A hand shake later, I thought my nightmare was finally over.  Except in the 1980’s, every teenager went to the mall to socialize and people like me worked at the mall.  Thus, while working Saturday, the next evening, my date from Friday night pranced around the mall with her boyfriend.  Hoping I would see them together, she wouldn’t have to explain her cold reception.  Intervening, my best friend Carl distracted me twice after my shift was over to avoid a confrontation, taking me in a different route around the mall.  Despite experiencing a nightmare at the movies, I did find out what a good friend I had and still have today.  Thus, even in disappointment, God will show you who your true friends are when the nightmare is over.

by Jay Mankus

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Look Who’s Laughing Now

Posted on November 15, 2014 by expressyourself4him

Until this week, few Americans knew Jonathon Gruber, the architect of Obama Care.  An economist from MIT, Gruber recently admitted to hiding the true cost of Obama Care from the public.  In a video that has gone viral, Gruber jokes, referring to voters as stupid, gleeful he was able to deceive Congress into passing a bill that could bankrupt America.

A win at all costs mentality, lying if necessary, is destroying the character, morality and virtues of this once great nation.  You don’t have to go to church to understand the concept, “you reap what you sow,” Galatians 6:6-7.  Whether you’re a politician, parent or student, you can’t escape the truth as lies will be exposed sooner or later.  Though the dishonest may be laughing now, God will bring justice in the end.

If Jesus is correct, the devil is the father of all lies.  A subtle thought here, a tiny compromise there and before the know it, the seed for deceit has been planted.  Once implanted into an unknowing participant, Lucifer is the one who is laughing now, with the same smirk on his face after Eve gave into temptation while in the Garden.  However, God doesn’t put up with lame excuses, Genesis 3:12-18.  Therefore, watch your steps and tongue, James 1:13-15, to avoid from becoming a pawn of the devil.

by Jay Mankus

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The Prompting of the Heart

Posted on December 20, 2013 by expressyourself4him

Hollywood has made fortunes making love story films.  While some are comedies, created for a good laugh, every year there is usually one that connects with the human spirit.  Whether its a scene, a similar situation an individual has endured or a real life story, drama has a way of touching hearts, striking a nerve or unlocking the floodgates as tears stream down faces in the audience.

In the book of Exodus, Moses refers to a spiritual prompting, moving someone to give out of the overflow of their heart.  Whether its the sight of a homeless person on a street corner, pictures of a natural disaster on television or guilt from a privileged life without any trials, the heart moves people beyond their comfort zones, Exodus 25:2.  King Solomon compared to heart to a underground springs, bubbling with life, forcing water to the surface, Proverbs 4:23.

According to Jesus, when the prompting of the heart ceases in many, end times are near, Matthew 24:12.  The so what, I don’t care, what a waste of time mentality has spread like a cancer among several communities.  Hate crimes, violence and wickedness are merely byproducts of hearts that have turned cold.  Maybe Foreigner was right in their song, “Cold as Ice,” except in these days you don’t have to break up with someone to witness or be a recipient.  Regardless of how holy Christians claim to be, we all need a spiritual heart transplant, Galatians 5:6, so that the prompting of our hearts will make this world a better place to live!

by Jay Mankus

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