Tag Archives: Namaans Creek

Standing Still or Forward Motion?

While growing up in Delaware, I got caught outside in a torrential rain storm one summer afternoon.  Trying to find the shortest route to my house, I came to the banks of Namaans Creek.  At this section of the stream, it was a about a five foot jump across raging waters.  The longer I waited, the more dangerous this situation became.  Thus, I was forced to make of one of two decisions; stand still and wait it out or take a leap of faith, proceeding in forward motion.  I choose the latter, just clearing the ledge on the other side.

For we hear that some among you walk in idleness, not busy at work, but busybodies, 2 Thessalonians 3:11.

Unfortunately, I have spent most of the last five years standing still, afraid to take chances.  At some point in time, apathy sets in.  This often leads to becoming comfortably numb, like Pink Floyd’s 1965 hit song.  The longer you remain in the same place, the harder it becomes to change.  While this isn’t necessarily a bad thing, it’s unsettling when you know you are not where God wants you to be.  According to the Bible, those who become idle eventually end up back sliding, slipping further and further away from God.

Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things, Philippians 4:8.

Nearly forty years later, Reliant K released their new album Two Wrongs Don’t Make a Right, But Three Do in 2003.  My favorite song from this project is Forward Motion, a reminder to avoid idle time.  Although I can’t change my past, I do have the ability to alter my future.  Thus, if this blog finds you in a similar position, stuck in a rut, don’t let doubt paralyze your faith.  Rather, trust in the Lord and lean not on your own understanding so that a leap of faith will place you in forward motion, allowing the Holy Spirit to guide and direct you throughout life.

by Jay Mankus

 

 

Dark Places

If you think long enough, childhood memories from a scary place will trigger fear.  Whether you grew up in the country, city or suburbs, every neighborhood had at least one area, house or place where a presence of darkness was felt.  For me and my friends, it was a forest where strange things regularly occurred.

My first encounter there involved snakes, like the movie Snakes on Planes.  Located a couple of hundred yards from my house, a dense forest possessed a short cut to my favorite arcade.  When the path wasn’t trimmed back, you had to walk in Namaans Creek to avoid sticker bushes.  On this particular day, a snake swam between my legs, another fell out of a tree right above my head and a third I nearly stepped on, slithering right in front of me.  Whether I entered a haunted forest or not, this was the first of several experiences which brought chills and goosebumps.

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

According to Asaph, dark places do exist, Psalm 74:20.  These signs are obvious with violence being the major factor.  You don’t have to live in the projects to witness such a place.  Somewhere along the way, the devil, demons and dark powers have established a foothold in these arenas of life, Ephesians 4:27.  If and when you stumble across such a place, remember to arm yourself with the right weapons, 2 Corinthians 10:3-5.  Until then, take the apostle Paul’s advice in Ephesians 6:10-12, putting on the armor of God as a canvas of protection from dark places.

by Jay Mankus