Tag Archives: life and death

An Extension of Your Mind

Posted on September 17, 2019 by expressyourself4him

You are What you Think is a popular name for a book. The most famous project was written by David Stoop in 2003. While many of these reading materials are based upon biblical principles, Stoop’s book is designed to transform your attitude. This self help aid illuminates positive attitudes which often makes the difference between success and failure. Since body language is an extension of your mind, beliefs, confidence and stability will dictate how you act, behave and interact with others on a daily basis.

“Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad and easy to travel is the path that leads the way to destruction and eternal loss, and there are many who enter through it. 14 But small is the gate and narrow and difficult to travel is the path that leads the way to [everlasting] life, and there are few who find it,” Matthew 7:13-14.

During his farewell address to Israel in Deuteronomy 30:15-20, Moses sums up life by two choices, life or death. Each action, choice and decision made is an extension of your mind. How you invest your time and money on earth reveals your true intentions and priorities. During his sermon on the Mount of Olives, Jesus makes a similar connection. However, Jesus uses an analogy of paths taken. The choices you make every day will either focus on temporary pleasures or secure eternity by following God’s will. Each choice is simply an extension of your mind.

Do not love the world [of sin that opposes God and His precepts], nor the things that are in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. 16 For all that is in the world—the lust and sensual craving of the flesh and the lust and longing of the eyes and the boastful pride of life [pretentious confidence in one’s resources or in the stability of earthly things]—these do not come from the Father, but are from the world. 17 The world is passing away, and with it its lusts [the shameful pursuits and ungodly longings]; but the one who does the will of God and carries out His purposes lives forever, 1 John 2:15-17.

In a letter to the Church at Corinth, Paul refers to fighting certain battles with spiritual weapons, guarding your mind against demonic and Satanic attacks. Paul urges Corinthians to take their minds captive by making their thought life obedient to Christ, 2 Corinthians 10:5-6. Unfortunately, worldly desires whisper sensual cravings which often ignite lust into action. Thus, as people strive to do what is right, evil is right there with you, tempting minds to indulge your sinful nature. This ongoing battle persists daily, assaulting unprepared souls. This is precisely why a mind is a terrible thing to waste, an extension of what is really going on deep inside your heart.

by Jay Mankus

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You Only Get One Life

Posted on October 21, 2018 by expressyourself4him

As the 2018 National Basketball Association kicked off their season in Boston this week, I am reminded of a tragedy from the past.  Len Bias was the second overall pick in the 1986 NBA Draft, selected by the Boston Celtics.  This former all American who played at the University of Maryland was primed for greatness.  Yet, during a post draft party, Len decided to try Cocaine, apparently for the first time.  This fateful decision induced cardiac arrhythmia resulting in Bias’ death two days later.

“Listen closely, I have set before you today life and prosperity (good), and death and adversity (evil); 16 in that I command you today to love the Lord your God, to walk [that is, to live each and every day] in His ways and to keep His commandments and His statutes and His judgments (precepts), so that you will live and multiply, and that the Lord your God will bless you in the land which you are entering to possess, Deuteronomy 30:15-16.

I was about to start my senior year of high school when I first heard of Len Bias’ death.  Growing up ninety minutes from College Park, Maryland, this news was devastating.  To make matters worse, I lost one of my best friends to cancer during my sophomore year of college.  When my grand father passed away, it was tough to deal with, but at least he lived a full life.  However, when a young person, who hasn’t entered the prime of their life is taken away by death, this reality is hard to accept.  Unfortunately, human beings don’t have nine lives like cats who seem to escape death on numerous occasions.

But if your heart turns away and you will not hear and obey, but are drawn away and worship other gods and serve them, 18 I declare to you today that you will certainly perish. You will not live long in the land which you cross the Jordan to enter and possess, Deuteronomy 30:17-18.

During his farewell address as leader of Israel, Moses pours out his heart to his followers.  In the middle of his speech, Moses urges the crowd to be careful to make wise decisions.  According to the passage above, each choice you make on earth leads to one of two destinations: life or death.  Since you only get one life to live, choose life.  This isn’t a video game where you get to hit a reset button to receive a new life.  Rather, actions have consequences, especially when poor choices are made.  Therefore, may the words of Moses speak to your heart as you seek to make the most of the life God has given you.

by Jay Mankus

 

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The Passing

Posted on May 27, 2017 by expressyourself4him

Time can serve as a foe or a friend.  When you are young, classes, days or months may drag on seeming endless.  Yet, special moments are portions of time that you never want to end, savoring each second while it lasts.  Unfortunately, all things in life will eventually pass.

Behold, you have made my days a few handbreadths, and my lifetime is as nothing before you. Surely all mankind stands as a mere breath! Selah, Psalm 39:5.

Human being shouldn’t be surprised by death.  God created Adam out of dust and Job came to the realization from “ashes we were created and to dust we will return.”  As great as celebrating the birth of a new child can be, the news of death can ruin your day.  When I called my father to tell him Leanne was pregnant for the first time, he responded your grandmother is dead.

Yet you do not know what tomorrow will bring. What is your life? For you are a mist that appears for a little time and then vanishes, James 4:14.

The worst aspect of any passing is for those who don’t get the chance to say goodbye.  My dog Autumn passed away earlier in the week after being part of the family for over ten years.  While Autumn and I had our differences, it’s strange not seeing her by our bed each morning.  Since my son Daniel was at a baseball game, he never got the chance to say a final goodbye.  Whether its a person or a pet, live each day like its your last so you take the time to say goodbye to those whom you love.

by Jay Mankus

 

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Escaping the Realm of the Dead

Posted on September 14, 2015 by expressyourself4him

Life and death, living and dying; celebrating the life of a new born baby or coping with the pain of a funeral.  This is the dilemma of the path on which life takes each individual down.  In the end, one question remains, how can you escape the realm of the dead?

Because you will not abandon me to the realm of the dead, you will not let your holy one see decay, Acts 2:27.

Over a two year period during my childhood, I began to experience a reoccurring nightmare.  Every evening I found myself falling from a cliff, gracefully skydiving until I realized I didn’t have a parachute.  Just before hitting the ground, I woke up, sweating and shaking.  I wasn’t sure why this pattern continued until I pondered the meaning of life.  “Where do we come from?  How did we magically arrive on earth?  It doesn’t make sense to be born to just die?  There must be something more, a place beyond the realm of the dead.”

I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God so that you may know that you have eternal life, 1 John 5:13.

If anyone could shine light into this question, its John, the disciple whom Jesus loved.  Part of Jesus’ inner circle, John had several conversations not mentioned in the Bible.  In addition, Jesus took care of Mary the mother of Jesus until her death, likely uncovering incredible spiritual insights.  At the end of one of his letters, John reveals that you can know for sure about your eternal destination.  Therefore, if you want to escape the realm of death, follow the words of Romans 10:9-10 and you too can secure your reservation in heaven.

by Jay Mankus

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Does Saving Your Life Mean Forfeiting Your Soul?

Posted on July 1, 2015 by expressyourself4him

Rarely do you hear the terms forfeit and save in the same sentence.  Perhaps, you could be referring to a Little League team that may have to forfeit a game, unable to field enough players.  Thus, this forfeit could save a pitcher for an opponent’s next game or start a win streak that saves their season.  However, this isn’t the context of Jesus’ conversation with his twelve disciples in Mark 8.

For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me and for the gospel will save it, Mark 8:35.

Speaking to future apostles of Acts, Jesus’ words could be limited to anyone seeking to devote their lives to full time ministry.  However, the choice of vocabulary suggests something similar to closing remarks made by Moses during his farewell address in Deuteronomy 30.  Life is like a series of choices, each leading you either in the right or wrong directions.  Therefore, when anyone decides to follow the path of saving your own life, with each step, people are approaching the unfortunate reality of forfeiting their soul.

See, I set before you today life and prosperity, death and destruction.  For I command you today to love the LORD your God, to walk in obedience to him, and to keep his commands, decrees and laws; then you will live and increase, and the LORD your God will bless you in the land you are entering to possess, Deuteronomy 30:15-16.

From a personal perspective, obedience either illustrates one’s investment in storing up heavenly treasures on earth or proves their divestment, clinging to the ways of this world.  If your heart is where your treasure is, Matthew 6:21, then how you spend your time reveals who you are living for.   Like the words of Colonel Nathan Jessup played by Jack Nicholson in A Few Good Men, people can’t handle the truth.  Since life is a marathon and not a sprint, there is time to change your course.  Whatever you decide, be careful not to save yourself or else you will be in danger of forfeiting your soul.

by Jay Mankus

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From One Shepherd to Another

Posted on March 8, 2013 by expressyourself4him

The older you get in life, your chances increase that someone close to you will die.  Thus, most people will attend a funeral at sooner or later.  One of the most common passages read during funerals is Psalm 23, often quoting the entire chapter.  When my mom’s father passed away several years ago in Elizabethtown, Pennsylvania, my family was at his side as he breathed his last breath.  My sister Cindy, read to him Psalm 23:1-6 over and over again to ease his pain.

According to 1 Samuel 16:11, David was a shepherd boy, tending his father’s sheep.  In Psalm 23, David uses imagery, possibly recounting his own experience as God’s Spirit inspired him to write about a heavenly shepherd.  Knowing the daily requirements of a seasoned shepherd, David pours out his heart, placing his faith in God’s hand.  Meanwhile, John, the disciple whom Jesus loved shares a similar account in chapter 10 of his gospel.  John quotes Jesus in 17 of the first 18 verses, explaining there is only one way into heaven, through the gate of the Shepherd, who know and follow his voice.

In reality, human beings are dumb creatures like sheep, like the blind leading the blind.  When things are going well, its easy to navigate through life, whether you have a GPS or not.  However, as you encounter canyons, valleys or wastelands, relying on a shepherd may be the difference between life and death.  When push comes to shove or where faith meets fire, who will you call to come to your aide?  From One shepherd to another, come back to the pen before its too late, John 10:17.  The Great Shepherd is calling you home, retreat now to be by his side, Psalm 23:6.

by Jay Mankus

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