Tag Archives: Massachusetts

Self Educated or Radicalized?

Nine schools of higher education were founded during Colonial times in North America. While several claim to be the first established college, Harvard University opened in 1636 in Boston, Massachusetts. Since the English first landed in New England, logically it makes sense that the first American university was built here. This school was initially a training ground for aspiring ministers. However, today Harvard strives to create knowledge by opening the minds of students to this knowledge and to enable students to take best advantage of their educational opportunities.

As for myself, brethren, when I came to you, I did not come proclaiming to you the testimony and evidence or mystery and secret of God [concerning what He has done through Christ for the salvation of men] in lofty words of eloquence or human philosophy and wisdom; 1 Corinthians 2:1.

Unfortunately, college was limited to the wealthy and upper class until the last century. Subsequently, it wasn’t uncommon for young boys to drop out of school to help provide for their family. The Keating-Owen Act of 1916, prohibited the shipment by interstate commerce of products made by children. Federal legislation was not enacted until 1938 with the passage of the Fair Labor Standards Act which set guidelines for child labor. Young entrepreneurs like Andrew Carnegie saw no need for formal education, opting to become self educated by reading books on desired topics.

For I resolved to know nothing (to be acquainted with nothing, to make a display of the knowledge of nothing, and to be conscious of nothing) among you except Jesus Christ (the Messiah) and Him crucified, 1 Corinthians 2:2.

Beginning in the late 1960’s, higher institutions of learning became a breeding ground for progressive professors. Although this transformation didn’t occur overnight, this shift from knowledge to ideology is nearly complete. Today, students can major in Community Organization and Advocacy, Social Justice or minor in a variety of politically oriented concentrations. To the wealthy, attending college is chump change, but most families end up depending upon student loans to get their child through four years or more. Perhaps, a time is coming in the near future when high school graduates will choose to be self-educated rather than be surrounded by radical professors pushing their specific worldview.

by Jay Mankus

Living by Design… Not by Default

I changed my major three times before my junior year of college.  Initially, I went into Business Administration, then Civil Engineering before deciding upon Recreation and Parks Administration.  This indecision forced me to take the five year plan, spending one semester doing an internship in Golf Course Design and Maintenance.  With most of my friends in Cleveland back at school, I volunteered at a local church 2 days a week as an informal youth ministry internship.

For his invisible attributes, namely, his eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, ever since the creation of the world, in the things that have been made. So they are without excuse, Romans 1:20.

After graduating in May of 1992, the default position was to accept an apprenticeship in Boston, Massachusetts.  The company performing the redesign in Cleveland wanted me to become familiar with running all of the high tech equipment before guaranteeing a salary.  Unsure of where I would live and how I would I survive without getting paid for six months, I declined this offer.  Instead, I trusted the Holy Spirit to live by God’s design.  This choice led to a position as the Work Camp Coordinator for Inner city Wilmington, Delaware.  While the pay was puny, the experience was life changing.

And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose. For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn among many brothers, Romans 8:28-29.

Looking back over the past 25 years, I wish I could say that I have followed God’s will throughout my life.  Unfortunately, the older you become, life gets more complicated.  Living by design requires sacrifices that I have been unwilling to submit to and take.  Thus, I find myself today living by default, living pay check to pay check without much purpose or reason.  Although I can’t go back and change the decisions that I have made in the past, I can alter my current course.  Therefore, I urge anyone struggling to find meaning in life to starting living by God’s design, Romans 12:1-2.  Reflect, pray and ask God for vision so that you can begin to seize each day through a life devoted to living by God’s design.

by Jay Mankus

The Sermons of John Wise

John Wise is one of those individuals who has been forgotten by history.  A reverend at the Congregational Church in Ipswich, Massachusetts, Wise blazed a trial which the founding fathers of America emulated.  Until yesterday, I never realized that the Declaration of Independence was based upon by a sermon series John Wise preached in 1687.  These messages were inspired by a tax levied by royal Governor Andros without the representation of a legislative body.  Wise was one of the first civil rights leader, going to jail for his opposition, a pioneer who used his pulpit to preach liberty and justice for all.

John Wise devoted his entire life to the ministry, serving from the time of his ordination to his death in 1725.  Prior to his passing, Wise completed his most famous work,   A Vindication of the Government of New England Churches in 1717.  This compilation became a blue print that was adopted in 1776 during the Continental Congress, known as the Declaration of Independence.  When reverend Wise spoke to his community, he didn’t see black, red or white skin.  Rather, Wise developed an expression saying, “there are only 2 kinds of races, those who believe in God and those who don’t!”  This is just a glimpse of the sermons of John Wise.  These inspired words are simply Supernatural as DC Talk once sang.

There is much to learn from this second generation Pilgrim leader.  First, a preacher should not be muzzled by the government.  Church should be a place of refuge where worshipers can experience heaven on earth before going back into the world like disciples for the next 6 days.  Second, the Bible is a blue print for life, liberty and the American way.   Allowing atheists to silence the spiritual foundation of this country is like spitting the reverend Wise in the face.  Finally, history is like a true National Treasure, full of mentors, stars and visionaries who have made America a great nation.  Go to a local library today to examine diamonds in the rough, lost over the course of time, by a media ashamed of God.  If you want to know more about John Wise, David Barton has written books about his impact on American History.

by Jay Mankus

 

Two Candidates: One Choice

President Barack Obama and Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney participate in the second presidential debate at the David Mack Center at Hofstra University in Hempstead, New York, Oct. 16, 2012.

Four years ago, a campaign slogan of Hope and Change propelled Barrack Obama into the White House.  At his disposal for 2 years, the president had control of the other 2 branches of government, with democrats having a majority in the House and Senate.  Beside passing Universal Healthcare into law, there aren’t many blue chip accomplishments Barrack Obama can cling to as the race for the 2012 Presidential Election heads down the home stretch.

While there will be more than 2 candidates on this year’s presidential ballot, there are only 2 main contenders, Barrack Obama and Mitt Romney.  Thus, before you fill out your absentee ballot or make your decision in a voting booth, there are a few things to think about before you decide.  First and foremost, each candidate is a sinner, separated from God, Romans 6:23.  Therefore, each candidate is imperfect with some flaws to consider.

During the 2008 Presidential Forum at Saddleback Church, moderated by Rick Warren, Barrack Obama tried to convince an audience of Christians that he indeed was a follower of Christ.  With his past 4 years of actions and words serving as a jury, Obama hid his Moslem middle name, went on a worldwide apology tour trying to appease Middle Eastern leaders and is forcing Catholic hospitals to provide, pay for woman’s contraceptives and potentially abortions as well.  Based upon the facts, Mr. Obama appears to resemble a Moslem more than a Christian, John 15:8.

On the other hand, Mitt Romney is not ashamed of his Mormon faith, serving as a missionary to France for 30 months and acts as the Bishop, the minister of his local congregation in Boston, Massachusetts.  However, Mormon theology deviates from the word of God, Deuteronomy 4:2 and Revelation 22:18.  Back in the 1980’s, the Smithsonian did an archeological search to find remains of cities, coins or landmarks mentioned in the book of Mormon, nothing was found.  If character is the measuring stick you will use to cast your vote, check out Titus 1:6-9 to determine for yourself who is the best candidate.

The second question you have to ask yourself, what type of person do you want in the White House, a career politician or a businessman?  Barrack Obama has a degree in Political Science from Columbia, became the president of the Harvard Law Review in law school and went on to teach constitutional law for 12 years at the University of Chicago Law School.  As a community organizer in Chicago, a successful campaign fundraiser and director of voter registration, Barrack Obama is a career politician who was a senator in Illinois before winning the 2008 presidency.

Meanwhile, Mitt Romney has a bachelor of Arts from BYU and a masters in Business Administration from Harvard.  In 1977, Romney went into management consulting working at Bain & Company before co-founding the spin off company, Bain Capital, a private equity firm.  As the CEO of the Salt Lake Organizing Committee for the 2002 Winter Olympics, this recognition vaulted Romney to become the governor of Massachusetts.  Although Romney passed a healthcare reform bill in Massachusetts, he has garnished more popularity for his business background.

When election day 2012 finally arrives, you have an opportunity to as an American citizen to vote.  While family members, neighbors or unions may pressure you to lean toward one candidate, the choice is yours.  Do you want a politician or a businessman?  Don’t forget to cast your vote, just once though, to make it fair!

by Jay Mankus