Tag Archives: mature

Going Through the Door

Posted on June 10, 2017 by expressyourself4him

When I was younger, I weekly told a coach, parent and teacher, I can’t do it.  Trying to take the easy way out, sometimes I was given a pass.  Yet, this mindset leads to co-dependence.  If you want to grow up and mature, at some point you have to go through the door the Lord provides alone.

Behold, I stand at the door and knock; if any one hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and eat with him, and he with me, Revelation 3:20.

In the game show Let’s Make a Deal, current host Wayne Brady often gives contestants three doors to choose from.  One has a grand prize, the other a small prize and the final one a prank for a laugh.  The game of life is similar but decisions replace doors.  Choices are made daily which will shape the outcome of your life for the good or bad.  God doesn’t force individuals to do this or that.  Rather, freewill is offered to walk through the door of your choice.

No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your strength, but with the temptation will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it, 1 Corinthians 10:13.

The apostle Paul wrote a letter to members of a church struggling to overcome specific sins.  Whether he is addressing addicts, bad habits or poor decisions, Paul provide a blue print for conquering addiction.  When tempted God always provides a way out.  Therefore, when evil desires, lust or sinful urges come knocking, walk through the door that the Lord provides.

by Jay Mankus

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Where’s the Meat?

Posted on May 8, 2017 by expressyourself4him

In 1984 the Wendy’s Fast Food Chain introduced one of the most memorable advertising slogans of my time, “where’s the beef?”  Actress Clara Peller receives a small burger on a large bun which sets the stage for this classic line.  This commercial convinced customers for a period of time that you had to go to Wendy’s to enjoy a beefy hamburger.

But solid food is for the mature, for those who have their powers of discernment trained by constant practice to distinguish good from evil, Hebrews 5:14.

In spiritual houses of worship, there is a similar question asked by hungry souls, “where’s the meat?”  Due to a movement toward entertaining church services, there appears to be more fluff and less detailed teaching.  Thus, many believers are struggling to grow, lacking challenging sermons filled with spiritual meat.

On hearing this, Jesus said, “It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick,” Matthew 9:12.

During a conversation among disciples and Pharisees, Jesus makes an assumption about spiritual growth.  Sooner or later, the spiritually mature must grow up by learning to take care of their own faith.  When you reach this stage in life, you can feed yourself through times of Bible Study, fellowship with other believers and prayer.  As you develop healthy spiritual disciplines, you can find the meat, godly principles, within the Bible daily.

by Jay Mankus

 

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Moderation

Posted on November 17, 2016 by expressyourself4him

In ESPN’s latest 30 for 30 documentary, the travails of John Daly are highlighted in Hit it Hard.  Based upon a song written by John, a two time major winner on the PGA Tour, Daly shares his battle with alcohol, gambling and series of failed marriages.  Due to an addictive personality, the concept of moderation is something Daly has has a hard time grasping.

“I have the right to do anything,” you say—but not everything is beneficial. “I have the right to do anything”—but I will not be mastered by anything, 1 Corinthians 6:12.

Whether you are Superman, a professional athlete or an average human being, everyone has a kryptonite.  This condition, element or weakness prevents individuals from reaching their full potential.  Temptation is always lurking, trying to lure people away from good habits and safe environments.  Danger arrives when inner demons convince former addicts that they can handle a situation without God’s help.  This usually results in self-destruction.

Flee from sexual immorality. All other sins a person commits are outside the body, but whoever sins sexually, sins against their own body, 1 Corinthians 6:18.

There are ways to view moderation.  First, some will say that adults should be mature enough to know their limits.  Requiring self-control, this logical approach gives people freedom to develop boundaries.  The second perspective is more cautious, understanding that once you open pandora’s box, there’s no going back.  Either way, unless you have a friend who holds you accountable or a personal relationship with God, the quest for moderation can be a never ending battle.

by Jay Mankus

 

 

 

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Reasons to Consider

Posted on November 8, 2016 by expressyourself4him

When Job endured a series of trials and tribulations, each one of his three friends had a different perspective.  Coming from an old school point of God, each believed the Lord was punishing Job for something done in the past or present.  Instead of praying for insight, individuals jump to false conclusions daily, following the the footsteps of Eliphaz the Temanite, Bildad the Shuhite and Zophar the Naamathite.

Brothers, do not be children in your thinking. Be infants in evil, but in your thinking be mature, 1 Corinthians 14:20.

As I try to come to grips with my emergency eye surgery, there are some practical explanations.  Maybe I spent too much time on my computer or watched too much television growing up.   Perhaps, poor eating habits are to blame, fueled by a lack of a consistent sleep pattern.  For now I can only speculate, waiting for the Holy Spirit to provide some insight.

“Come now, let us reason together, says the Lord: though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red like crimson, they shall become like wool, Isaiah 1:18.”

When things don’t make sense in life, an Old Testament prophet encourages individuals to reason with God.  This process begins with coming cleaning, confessing any wrong doing that is blocking your relationship with God.  However, acts of contrition must follow repentance.  Sure the why’s may remain a mystery, but the Holy Spirit will provide pieces to the puzzle along the way as you continue to ponder reasons why you experience what you do.

by Jay Mankus

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Returning to the Scene of the Crime

Posted on June 28, 2016 by expressyourself4him

In the film Absolute Power, Clint Eastwood plays a jewel thief who witnesses a murder during one of his heists.  When the secret service tries to cover up the president’s affair with a powerful donor’s wife who is now dead, only one person knows the truth.  On the verge of fleeing the country, a press conference infuriates Eastwood who is forced to return to the scene of his crime.

As a dog returns to its vomit, so fools repeat their folly, Proverbs 26:11.

In the spiritual realm, there are some people who tend to repeat the same mistakes over and over again without learning from their consequences.  The wisdom of Solomon relates this individual to a dog who returns to their vomit after throwing up.  This strange behavior is indicative of a fool who does not mature, lured into an addictive cycle that never disappears.

Of them the proverbs are true: “A dog returns to its vomit,” and, “A sow that is washed returns to her wallowing in the mud,” 2 Peter 2:22.

In life, its much easier to run away from the truth and hide than confront the real issue.  While prepared to live the rest of his life off the grid, Clint Eastwood’s conscience urged him to take on the leader of the free world.  Despite the overwhelming odds he faced, Eastwood did the right thing, returning to the scene of the crime and putting back everything he stole.  Whatever situation you are currently facing, may you stand up for justice so that the truth will set you free.

by Jay Mankus

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And Then I Three Putted

Posted on May 20, 2016 by expressyourself4him

Golf is one of those hobbies that parallels life.  Sometime you may be right down the middle while others will find you deep into the woods or within a hazard.  Unlike most sports, practice doesn’t always insure progress.  Thus, the game of golf can be cruel causing even professionals to waste an amazing shot with a three putt.

Because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance, James 1:3.

During my final year of coaching high school golf, I drove a par 4 with a 2 iron hybrid.  Unfortunately, when I got to the green, I had a 40 foot putt over a ridge to a hole on the other side going away from me.  Focusing on the line, I forgot to hit the ball hard enough, ending up 1o feet short.  Two putts later this once and a lifetime drive was a distant memory ruined by a three putt.

Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything, James 1:4.

In this life, its common to celebrate prematurely, before a day, round or year is over.  As over confidence or pride lures individuals into a false sense of security, victory is often replaced by defeat.  Thus, before you complete your next competition, project or task, finish strong.  Or else you may be like me, interrupting a moment of glory with the sobering reality, “and then I three putted.”

by Jay Mankus

 

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Complications

Posted on June 12, 2015 by expressyourself4him

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

Starting next week, a new drama will hit the airways entitled Complications.  Jason O’Mara plays Dr. John Ellis who is transformed by a life altering event, saving a young boy’s life after a drive by shooting.  A real life good Samaritan, Dr. Ellis is interrupted when the attackers return to finish the deal.  Faced with life or death, John kills one of the assailants, making his life much more complicated than the day before.

Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything, James 1:2-4.

Growing up, I gradually became disappointed by evangelists, pastors and teachers of the Bible who proclaimed an idealist approach to Christianity.  Although not verbatim, messages often included phrases like “just come to Jesus and all your troubles will go away.”  This story book ending never happened to me, nor did I ever meet someone who hasn’t experienced a series of complications in the form of trials.  This is the reality of the world we live in.

For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord, Romans 8:38-39.

According to Jesus, every difficult situation individuals encounter is used to promote maturity, perseverance and growth.  Coaches, professional athletes and hard luck losers regularly tell reporters about learning more from a loss than from a victory.  Therefore, complications are merely opportunities to develop as a human being.  Along the long and winding road, there may be moments that appear hopeless.  However, in the end, God allows the good, bad and ugly to occur for his own glory.

by Jay Mankus

 

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Another Hypocrite Behind the Driver’s Seat

Posted on August 9, 2014 by expressyourself4him

When I get behind the wheel of my car, something happens to me.  Like an out of body experience, a spirit of impatience changes my personality inside.  All it takes is a few slow drivers, especially in the left hand lane and I become another hypocrite behind the driver’s seat.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pNEmJBune3M

Despite my prayers prior to entering my vehicle, the influences of the sinful nature leave my feeling like the apostle Paul in Romans 7:15.  The slightest error made by my fellow drivers erupts into an explosion of complaining, emotional distress and an occasional honk of the horn.  In my quest to fulfill Matthew 5:48, most trips behind the steering wheel often result in conviction, a painful reminder that I have a long way to go, Romans 3:23.

The imagery of 1 Corinthians 13:11-12 illustrates the fact that everyone has room for improvement.  Each soul has major flaws, needing to be transformed from a child into a mature Bible believing adult, Romans 12:1-2.  Unfortunately, there will always be growing pains and along the way, don’t be surprised if you see another hypocrite behind the driver’s seat.

by Jay Mankus

 

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Waiting for the Harvest

Posted on May 25, 2014 by expressyourself4him

At the end of the growing season, the harvest is the day of reckoning, the process of collecting mature crops from fields.  Once complete, farmers will be able to calculate their bounty and compare it with previous seasons.  The harvest festival, the celebration of the end of the growing season, has evolved into a national holiday Americans call Thanksgiving.  Like a child waiting to unwrap their first present on Christmas morning, the harvest is an adult version of collecting the fruits of hard labor throughout the Spring and Summer.  However, the toughest part remains the waiting.

The Bible speaks to farmers throughout the New Testament, relaying analogies of farming to illustrate biblical truth.  Matthew 9:37-38 refers to the struggles of finding good help.  Either people are too busy or lazy to lend a helping hand, forcing more responsibility upon a few dedicated individuals.  Jesus relied on parables like Matthew 20:1-16 to urge citizens to get involved before the day of harvest is over.  While some can take more credit than others, the pay is the same for everyone.  As farming communities continue to search for reliable workers, Jesus is waiting on his followers to become participants in a spiritual harvest.

Yet, it took a music director from the Old Testament to reveal the secret to experiencing this type of harvest.  According to Psalm 67:3-5, spiritual harvests are conceived through the praise of mankind.  As individuals, families and nations begin to shout for joy, a foundation is established.  This sets the stage for Psalm 67:6, yielding a spiritual harvest like Moses’ promise to Israel in Deuteronomy 28:2.  Therefore, if you find yourself waiting for the harvest, let the praise of the Lord commence.

by Jay Mankus

 

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Abracadabra

Posted on December 16, 2013 by expressyourself4him

In a world where self gratification is in a tug of war with reality, a growing trend is emerging which is disappointing, but not unexpected.  Like the old Steven Miller Band song, Christians are waiting for God to snap his fingers, to magically make all of life’s problems vanish from thin air.  Instead of pulling a rabbit of a His hat, God has taken a back seat, allowing Satan to temporarily be the ruler of the air, Ephesians 2:2.

Today’s white magic was foretold by the apostle Paul in 2 Corinthians 11:14-15 as the devil himself masquerades as an angel of light.  I am not sure if the Hollywood rumors are true, yet some insiders claim that a few desperate for fame, power and success have sold their soul to the devil in return for what he offered Jesus in Matthew 4:8-9.   Jesus went far out of his way to convince people in his day to avoid falling for this trick, Matthew 16:26.  Unfortunately, the impatient seek alternative measures that include the dark side of life.

Rather than say Abracadabra, God’s ways are different from man’s plans or vision of life, Proverbs 19:21.  Open from the beginning, the Lord seeks to move individuals, little by little, Exodus 23:30.  Perhaps this may explain Israel’s 40 years of wandering in the desert prior to entering the Promised Land, as there weren’t mature or ready enough to handle success.  Persuaded by humility, the Lord slowly brought his children along until the time was right, Ecclesiastes 3:11.  May we all learn this difficult lesson as we seek to fulfill John 10:10 and Romans 12:2.

by Jay Mankus

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