Tag Archives: memory

Put it Down and Turn if Off

Posted on May 29, 2016 by expressyourself4him

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R2C1s5ZW8dc

As I was about to pray this morning, I began to remember several things I needed to do.  This and that and oh by the way became one distraction after another.  Before I went any further I heard a whisper that grabbed my attention, “put it down and turn it off.”

Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house and went off to a solitary place, where he prayed, Mark 1:35.

Maybe I am the only one who struggles with this, but if I don’t start the day off by reading the Bible and prayer, my schedule usually fills up quickly.  Thus, the moment I start a project around the house or turn on the television, time with the Lord becomes a distant memory.

Jesus replied, “Let us go somewhere else—to the nearby villages—so I can preach there also. That is why I have come,” Mark 1:38.

Perhaps, this may explain the events of Mark 1.  Jesus recognized the distractions awaiting individuals each day.  To avoid getting sidetracked, following the crowd or failing to go where God wants you to be, a quiet time is a great way to become plugged into the Holy Spirit.  Therefore, the next time you feel the urge to put God on hold, put what you’re doing down, turn off the television or your phone and be still before the Almighty God.

by Jay Mankus

 

 

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Discovering Your Future Through Past Failures

Posted on February 22, 2016 by expressyourself4him

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vcboKwXz-GA

Prior to computers and type writers, when individuals felt like they had something important to remember, a diary or journal would be pulled out of a drawer to record these thoughts.  Unfortunately, many of these ideas weren’t discovered until someone dies, found by family members while sorting through personal belongings.  Some of the greatest poets of all time did not become famous until after their death, as their pieces were found, gathered and put together into a collection.

These things happened to them as examples and were written down as warnings for us, on whom the culmination of the ages has come, 1 Corinthians 10:11.

Today, I keep a journal next to by bed.  In the past, I’ve allowed great ideas to drift away, lost in my mind before I could write them down.  In the morning, my memory vanished, forgetting an analogy, dream or vision.  One of the draw backs to this is when ideas flow, I don’t sleep, diligently creating an outline or taking notes on the direction of my next blog or movie script.  Despite the weariness that follows, my future becomes clearer as I learn from past failures.

Being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus, Philippians 1:6.

In a recent interview on the Ellen Show, Ronda Rousey told an audience she considered suicide after losing her first ever UFC fight late last year.  I’m sure we have all experienced disappointment at one point in life, some more than others.  Yet, before you can go forward, you have to dwell of the reality of the matter.  Some individuals aren’t good enough, others are better, more determined than you or you just haven’t fine tuned your talents to get noticed.  Once you reach a conclusion, its time to regroup and move on.  Thus, as I attempt to complete my third movie script and submit it to the 2016 Academy Nicholl Fellowships Competition, I’m hopeful that previous failures over the last 5 years will lead to my big break in Hollywood.

by Jay Mankus

 

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Moving On After Tragedy

Posted on June 28, 2015 by expressyourself4him

The human mind can act like a sponge, absorbing scenes from life like a file on a computer.  Depending upon what you encounter, a number of cues can trigger each stored event to your memory in an instant.  Unfortunately, the bad and ugly thoughts can haunt individuals, making it difficult to move on after tragedy strikes.  During a late night conversation in college, a classmate began to reveal a dark secret from her past.

If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you, James 1:5.

A year earlier, she had heard an explosion behind her house, which backs up to the New Jersey Turnpike.  Immediately, her nursing student instincts took over, running down a steep embankment to help anyone in need of medical attention before emergency assistance arrived.  Not ready for what came next, she helped two kids escape from a car which had caught on fire.  However, both parents were trapped so all she could do was shield these children from the image of mom and dad burning to death in the flames.

Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love him, James 1:12.

We can’t change the past, but after the mourning process, its time to move on.  Similar to an injury, healing differs from one person to the next.  Although scars will always remain, with Christ all things are possible to get over.  Yet, finding hope, peace and joy is not guaranteed.  This is where faith comes into play, trusting in the Lord to guide your steps.  Whatever mountain that you have to climb, may you find strength to move on after the trials you endure.

by Jay Mankus

 

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When Things Don’t Add Up

Posted on February 21, 2015 by expressyourself4him

Parents who have grown up in the same area or town where their children attend school develop perspective.  Depending upon their memory, adults can compare their education with the current system.  Taking time to read modern textbooks may shock some, yet the informed aren’t surprised.  The dumbing down of information attempts to sway young minds full of mush to buy into the liberal agenda being dished out daily.  However, when things don’t add up like recently implemented Common Core curriculum, even public school teachers are waking up to this debauchery of education.

But among you there must not be even a hint of sexual immorality, or of any kind of impurity, or of greed, because these are improper for God’s holy people. – Ephesians 5:3

Back in my day, several teachers were like personal trainers, pushing you beyond what you could handle.  A few were like drill sergeants, mean S.O.B.’s until you graduated, when you saw the logic behind their madness.  These adults instilled in me a discipline, life skills and a work ethic I have exchanged for monthly pay checks.  Although, I wish it was larger, being challenged has made me a better person.  I only wish my children could escape the coddling that exists today for a taste of what I endured in school.  Nonetheless, when things don’t add up, a parent must intervene to steer their kids in the right direction.

Nor should there be obscenity, foolish talk or coarse joking, which are out of place, but rather thanksgiving. – Ephesians 5:4

Whether you are watching a commercial, public service announcement or some new television show, it doesn’t take long to notice flaws.  Though the world view you possess may alter or blind you in same ways, consciences scream out the truth, pointing you in the way you should go.  However, if you begin to buy into the lies sold daily, your logic may not begin to add up.  This is where rationalization takes over, trying to justify your error in judgment with thoughts like “everybody does it.”  As you make your way through life, don’t forget to stop and think about the choices you are making.  Or else you may wake up one morning to a soul that doesn’t add up to the will God wanted for your life, Romans 12:2.

by Jay Mankus

 

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A Hap-Hazard Faith

Posted on October 2, 2014 by expressyourself4him

Aimless, chaotic and dis-organized are terms associated with haphazard.  Although there is nothing wrong about being casual, some things require your full attention.  Unfortunately, as standards across the board continue to decline, a new mindset has developed, “why should I follow all the rules if no one else does?”

This seed of doubt has inspired a generation with a faith that can be best described as haphazard.  On Sunday’s, most people put on their happy faces.  By Monday, the memory of church often fades, depleted by stress and worry.  If traces of faith are neglected by believers, the love for God and others can disappear, replaced with selfishness.

Subsequently, many walk away disappointed, like the rich young ruler who tried to impress Jesus in Matthew 19:16-25.  The moral of this story is that no one is ever good enough to earn their way to heaven, Romans 3:9-12.  Regardless of your level of commitment, redemption can only be obtained through Christ, Romans 5:6-8.  While a haphazard faith may be a current reality, pray that the Word of the Lord, Romans 10:17, will resurrect dead or dying souls.

by Jay Mankus

 

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A King’s Faith

Posted on July 23, 2014 by expressyourself4him

While channel surfing the other night, I stumbled across an interesting movie.  Titled King’s Faith, I was expecting to see a famous king.  Instead, this film featured a high school senior trying to break free from a turbulent past.  Only a king’s faith could rescue him from a gang who didn’t want to let go.

Long before the 2013 film, history recounts king’s whose faith transformed nations.  When citizens doubted God, feared the future or questioned why the wicked prosper, godly leaders provided a source of light during dark moments in time.  Joash, Josiah and Jehoshaphat, kings of Judah, refused to allow the memory of their God to be forgotten.  Moved by the Holy Spirit, a king’s faith enabled countries like America to exist.  Yet, who will stand in the gap today, Ezekiel 22:30, so that future generations may experience the power of a living God?

To experience a king’s faith, one must examine the common attributes shared by prominent leaders.  First, all successful kings had access to discerning individuals either through a prophet or wise council.  Second, godliness is instilled by surrounding yourself in the word of God, meditating on biblical truth.  Finally, calling on the name of the Lord through prayer is an essential ingredient to passing on faith to future generations.  For now, the world is waiting for the next person to display a king’s faith.

by Jay Mankus

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After the Pain Subsides

Posted on May 12, 2014 by expressyourself4him

Some psychologists often suggest pain is a way of life.  Infants battle teething, youth struggle with puberty, teens endure broken relationships and adults face failed marriages.  How you handle this pain influences whether or not you’ll reach the goals you aspire to achieve in life.  After the pain subsides, who will be left standing?

Trials, tribulations and unexpected setbacks are difficult to overcome.  In fact, a weak mind may begin to accept defeat, allowing a season of disappointment to alter their expectations.  This demise lowers the bar so low, that there’s not much to celebrate.  Thus, one becomes like the wind, blowing to and fro trying to make it through each day, dead inside.  However, a time is coming when the sun will rise after the pain subsides.

Perhaps, this is the emotion, feeling and peace a weeping man experiences in Lamentations 3:22-23.  Despite his current condition, a glimmer of hope arises from one of God’s promises, bringing a sense of relief.  Like a cold Alaskan winter, the sun stands on the horizon all summer long to help forget the memory of the bitter cold.  As you try to resist the pain of life, may the words of the Bible offer a sweet pill of truth to get you through the present until your pain subsides.

by Jay Mankus

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That’s Nice… But I’ve Heard That Before

Posted on January 10, 2014 by expressyourself4him

As I was cleaning today, I uncovered an old Concord High Yearbook sitting on the floor.  Last fall, my best friend from high school, Carl, came to Delaware to visit his parents for a week.  Catching up and reminiscing about our last high school reunion, I fetched my senior yearbook to put a face with all the names which came up.  I’m not sure what it is, but the older I get, the more I repeat myself, sharing the same story annually with my wife and kids.  As gracious as possible, I hear that apt reply, “That’s nice, but I’ve heard that before.”

From a writer’s perspective, there is nothing new under the sun, Ecclesiastes 1:9.  When you’ve spent 3 years as an editor of a monthly newsletter and 2 more as the main contributor of this blog, some days you struggle to compose a paragraph let alone an entire piece.  However, as I opened my yearbook, I had forgotten who I was, what I had accomplished and how  a simple smile made an impact on my peers.  The perfectionist in me never allowed me to accept and embrace compliments.  Thus, these words were discarded, replaced by my lack of eloquence, stuttering and other deficiency’s.

This pessimism began to change for me in college during a Group service project on St. John’s Island in South Carolina.  To my surprise, everyone in attendance received their own mailbox, near the center of our living quarters at a local high school.  However, this mail was called Care Cards, a chance for others to write notes of encouragement and thanks to those who made a positive influence at some point during the day and week.  The catch was you couldn’t open your mail bag until you got on your bus before leaving.  I was so touched by this concept I incorporated it into my own mission trips when I became a youth pastor following college.  Like my yearbook, every few years I will stumble across old mail bags, bringing tears to my eyes and joy to my soul as I savor these fond memories.

From a biblical perspective, Israel’s memory was so poor, God called Moses to devote an entire book called Deuteronomy, the second law, reminding the Jews of everything they had forgotten.  Although retention varies among children and adults today, modern pastors recycle famous words of Jesus, the apostle Paul, and Peter to refresh the memories of lost souls.  While some in church may whisper, “That’s nice, but I’ve heard that before,” someone in attendance may be hearing this truth for the first time.  Therefore, be patient if someone tends to be redundant, for someone likely needs a reminder of promises within the Bible like John 3:16.

by Jay Mankus

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