Tag Archives: New York

What It Means to be One Nation Under God

Posted on November 24, 2018 by expressyourself4him

Since October media reports has followed caravans of people from Latin America, hoping for a better life.  Depending upon your choice of cable news networks, reporters covering this story have attempted to define who these people really are.  As the masses have reached the border seeking asylum, politics have divided Americans.  Those who don’t want borders have invoked religion, accusing opponents of being anti-Christian, failing to love these individuals like Jesus.

Religion that is pure and undefiled before God, the Father, is this: to visit orphans and widows in their affliction, and to keep oneself unstained from the world, James 1:27.

Anyone who picks and choses what they want to believe from the Bible while disregarding other parts is known as syncretism.  This practice blends cultures, religions and schools of thought to appease, relate to and unite a large diverse audience.  Unfortunately, when politicians use syncretism it’s often masked with Saul Alinsky tactics from Rules for Radicals.  Instead of using the Bible in its proper context, political talking points often seize opportunities like the caravan to condemn and criticize anyone who dares to disagree.  If you watch any nightly news, politics is a vessel of division.  What America needs is to go back to its roots.

But if anyone has the world’s goods and sees his brother in need, yet closes his heart against him, how does God’s love abide in him? – 1 John 3:17

The Pledge of Allegiance of the United States was composed by Captain George Thatcher Balch. Balch was a Union Army Officer during the Civil War and later became a teacher of patriotism in New York City schools.  The most recent alteration of its wording came on Flag Day in 1954, when the words “under God” were added.  When my father’s family fled Lithuania during the Soviet Union’s invasion of the Baltic States, he came to America to start over living with a host family.  While a large number of Lithuanians migrated to Binghamton, New York, these immigrants eventually became citizens.  The goal wasn’t to make America Lithuanian.  Rather, it was to become one nation, united by a common faith in God, to carry on their former nation’s heritage united under one flag.  This is what it means to live as one nation under God.

by Jay Mankus

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Cash or Credit?

Posted on October 22, 2018 by expressyourself4him

The concept of using a credit card began in the United States during the booming 1920’s.  John Bigging of the Flatbush National Bank of Brooklyn in New York invented the first bank associated credit card in 1946.  A few years later Frank McNamara introduced the first nationally used credit card.  The Diner’s Card was created to help families pay restaurant bills as a recent study has suggested individuals paying by credit will spend 47% more than those paying cash.  Thus, over the past 70 years shoppers continue to hear cashiers say “cash or credit?”

A man lacking common sense gives a pledge and becomes guarantor [for the debt of another] in the presence of his neighbor, Proverbs 17:18.

This consumer shift from cash to credit has altered business and marketing practices.  For example, a brief comment in the 1910 Sears Catalog stated “using credit to purchase merchandise is folly.”  This is a complete paradigm shift from modern advertisements.  American Express used Roger Daltrey in 1985 to convince future shoppers, “don’t leave home with out it.”  Other credit card companies offer cash back bonuses for spending X amount of dollars per year.  The only problem is that over 100 million Americans do not pay back their monthly balances leading to a debt epidemic enslaving families with bills they aren’t able to pay back.

The rich rules over the poor, and the borrower is servant to the lender, Proverbs 22:7.

When my wife and I take our family on vacation, we usually withdraw cash, two to three hundreds each.  The only time we use credit cards is for gas and restaurants.  A few years ago, we spent a week down in Clearwater, Florida.  With the Phillies in town for Spring Training, my wife wanted to get nice seats.  After $5 for parking, $27 per seat and a couple of snacks, it was painful to blow almost $200 cash in one day.  As Dave Ramsey says is his financial peace university classes, when you use cash instead of credit cards, you can feel the pain of wasting hard spent money.  May this blog challenge you to rethink your spending habits so that you don’t become of slave to debt.

by Jay Mankus

 

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Looking Through a Key Hole

Posted on July 16, 2018 by expressyourself4him

My dad’s mother, an immigrant to this country, spent most of her time in the United States living in Binghamton, New York.  Beside working as a nurse at a local hospital, my grandmother rented out the second floor of their house which consisted of three separate apartments.  After her three sons graduated from college, Joanna continued to work at this hospital but left these spare rooms vacant.  During my childhood, these upper rooms provided an excellent place for hide and go seek.  Due to squeaky wooden floors, you were forced to tip toe, spying through open keyholes in antique doors.  From this vantage point, you could check to see who was coming or wait until someone revealed their hiding place.

Watch and pray that you may not enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak,” Matthew 26:41.

Prior to high tech security systems with hidden cameras, most modern front doors contained a peek hole to look through before opening the door.  This safety feature protected children from unwanted strangers like the classic scenes from Home Alone and Uncle Buck.  However, these peek holes were not always used for wholesome reasons.  Over the years, some have fallen prey to voyeurism, using binoculars, open key holes and peek holes to feed fleshly desires.  Those who give into these ungodly desires open the door for pornography that leads to reprobate minds.  While each individual is vulnerable to different types of temptation, Jesus urged his own disciples to watch and pray so that the Holy Spirit will override earthly desires.

Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you, James 4:7.

Jesus’ earthly brother chimes in with his own advice.  In the first chapter to first century believers, James 1:13-15 claims that temptation is not God’s fault.  Rather, the process of giving into sin is a series of compromises, often subtle that lead careless souls on the verge of going beyond boundaries defined by the Bible.  Thus, James commands his readers to resist the Devil by submitting yourself to God.  Meanwhile, the apostle Paul adds another piece of this spiritual puzzle, 1 Corinthians 10:13, when tempted look for the way out of your predicament.  If there is one song that demonstrates the danger that lurks on the other side of a keyhole it’s the children’s classic O Be Careful Little Eyes.  May this blog inspire you to avoid taking a second glance so that the urge to sin is quickly broken by eyes fixated on the cross of Jesus, Hebrews 12:1-4.

by Jay Mankus

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Trampled

Posted on January 27, 2017 by expressyourself4him

Every year panic triggers some sort of horrific event.  Whether its at a concert, escaping a fire or fleeing a terrorist attack, fear often leads to individuals to trample upon anyone who gets in the way.  In 2008, a Walmart employee from Long Island, New York died after wild shoppers on Black Friday began running to claim limited specials once the doors were opened.

But other Jews were jealous; so they rounded up some bad characters from the marketplace, formed a mob and started a riot in the city. They rushed to Jason’s house in search of Paul and Silas in order to bring them out to the crowd, Acts 17:5.

Unfortunately, there is more than one way to be trampled.  Anyone who uses social media can be verbally run over following a post that offends and upsets followers.  Several teenagers have committed suicide in the past 5 years shortly after being bullied, embarrassed or harassed by their peers.  While some of the content posted was self-inflicted, a spirit of gossip is encouraging many to pile on with one sarcastic comment after the other.

A dishonest man spreads strife, and a whisperer separates close friends, Proverbs 16:28.

I hope that some day soon the citizens of America will come to their senses.  Sure, I like a good laugh, but it appears the line between right and wrong has shrunk.  Subsequently, innocent people are being trampled and discarded without any remorse or sorrow.  Trashing anyone who disagrees with your worldview is not the answer.  Instead, may God have mercy on us, extend grace to the hurting and save this divided nation from further trampling.

by Jay Mankus

 

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Self-Respect or Victimology

Posted on December 11, 2014 by expressyourself4him

While working out last week at a local fitness center, I couldn’t help but over hear a serious conversation.  Discussing the recent Grand Jury verdict of Darren Wilson, each had a different perspective.  The woman spoke about the importance of having self-respect.  Meanwhile, the man played the victim, blaming the police and slavery for his woes.

Although I don’t have the clout of a minority, my father is an immigrant to this country.  Starting from scratch in upstate New York, excuses weren’t in his vocabulary.  Pushed by his mother, my dad earned his way into an Ivy League College and the Warner School of Business.  My father is living proof that if you develop discipline, self-respect and work hard, anything is possible.

On the other side of the spectrum, are those who play the victim card.  Adam and Eve emulated this endless circle after getting caught red handed with a half-eaten apple.  According to Moses, Adam blamed Eve, indirectly throwing God under the bus, “the woman you put me here with,” Genesis 3:12.  Not willing to take the fall, Eve redirected sole responsibility to the serpent, “he deceived me,” Genesis 3:13.  Subsequently, a generation of victims has been born.

Today, socioeconomics often play a vital role in the worldview you hold.  However, that doesn’t mean individuals can’t have a dream of a better life.  Although many fail, self-respect is a foundation for keeping hope alive.  Self-pity doesn’t solve any problems, its only an excuse to be held down by negativity.  Therefore, if you want to experience a slice of heaven on earth, turn in your victim card for faith in the Lord, Psalm 115:11.

by Jay Mankus

 

 

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Another Day Flushed Down the Toilet

Posted on October 21, 2014 by expressyourself4him

There was a time in my life when I was highly motivated, eager to reach my full potential.  Unfortunately, I now experience periods of  apathy, not caring how productive I am on my days off.  Like a malaise, time ticks away while reclining in my chair.  Before I can snap out of it, another day is flushed down the toilet.

While watching a reality show last, Jon Taffer, host of Bar Rescue, reached out to a family owned business in Staten Island, New York.  Initially successful, three brothers let their establishment become inundated with a motley crew of bikers.  In desperate need of an intervention, Jon uses tough love to convict this family of their inadequacies.  When push comes to shove, you either need to stand up to face your fears or your dreams will be flushed down the toilet.

If you find yourself heading in the wrong direction, accountability from a co-worker or friend is essential to stay on track.  Proverbs 27:17 suggests that accountability sharpens those who engage in and practice it.  Therefore, if you don’t want another day to be lost to idle time, get involved now by meeting a friend in need.  Unless you do, there’s a good possibility that another day will be flushed down the toilet.

by Jay Mankus

 

 

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Release Me

Posted on September 11, 2013 by expressyourself4him

After Washington DC, New York and Los Angeles are destroyed by alien space craft in the 1996 movie Independence Day, the president, a few close advisers and another family escape on Air Force One.  Like president Bush on 9/11/01, this president, played by Bill Pullman, search for a safe destination to land.  When Judd Hirsch inadvertently interrupts a staff meeting, his beliefs uncover the truth about Area 51, resulting in a visit to this previously unknown bunker under the desert.  Once Will Smith arrives with an alien whose plane crash landed, the president has his first close encounter shown in the clip above.

The term release means to allow or enable someone to escape.  When an individual or something is imprisoned like this alien, their end goal is to be set free from confinement.  However, when you reason with an alien, demon or evil person, you are unleashing supernatural powers.  Whenever a nation makes a peace treaty with a terrorist or the justice system lets a serial criminal out on parole, the same sinful pattern often continues, returning to the scene of the crime.  This is why Jesus modeled praying to his disciples during his 3 year ministry, displaying how prayer can release souls from the schemes of the devil, Matthew 21:21-22.

Time is an enemy for most citizens of the earth.  Sometimes I feel as if I am always behind, trying to catch up on life, leaving little or no time for prayer.  Instead of concentrating on God the Father like Jesus does in the youtube above, I am distracted by my surroundings.  Thus, I spend more time worrying than I do asking God to release me from the burdens on my heart, Matthew 11:28-30.  Its no wonder than many Christian and seekers of God spend so much of their lives in bondage, addicted and paralyzed by sinful habits.  If you tried everything else without any progress, cry out to God today, relying on His power to release you from the temptations holding you down.

by Jay Mankus

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Voice of America

Posted on August 11, 2013 by expressyourself4him

In 1981, the progressive rock band Asia came onto the music scene.  Four years and 2 albums later, Asia produced Astra in 1985, releasing the hit song Voice of America.  Known as the official external broadcast of the United States Federal Government, Voice of America is the radio name established back in the early 1940’s.  Based on a 1976 law, this radio program was initially intended to be accurate, objective and comprehensive.  However, like anything in life, time, politics and power have corrupted this once highly esteemed program.

If you read the major newspapers of New York, Chicago and Los Angeles and or watch the major cable news networks you will find 2 common occurrences.  First, the introduction of talking points has caused collusion, with the most politically correct or incorrect stories receiving the most hype, often over blown.  Meanwhile, the human interest or positive stories like guns actually saving someone’s life are swept under the rug, withheld from Americans.  Thus, sites like the Drudge Report, the Blaze or other unbiased online sites provide the whole context of these stories, not just the clips or snippets the media wants you to hear.

Unfortunately, the Voice of America is close to becoming the new moral authority in the nation, replacing the Bible.  Instead of following passages like Ephesians 5:3-5, the government is producing their own politically correct guidelines which appear to override the Bible.  If the Riley Cooper racial slur is any indication, the Voice of America has forgotten about God’s grace, mercy and forgiveness.  Don’t get me wrong, words are powerful, containing venomous poison like a snake bite, James 3:6.  Comments like Riley Cooper’s, any angry parent or someone filled with hatred may take years for a wounded soul to heal.  Yet, the one thing missing from the Voice of America is God.  If “in God we trust” is on our money, why can’t we invite the Lord back onto our public airways.  Welcoming God back into public education might even eliminate the need for medal detectors, drug sniffing dogs and suicide counselors.  Mr. Radio man, if you can hear me, let God back in, Revelation 3:20.

by Jay Mankus

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A Memorial Day Offering

Posted on May 26, 2013 by expressyourself4him

Like a feud between siblings, the origin of the first Memorial Day celebration is clouded by history, with over 25 American cities taking credit.  The initial holiday was coined Decoration Day, based upon a 1867 hymn Kneel Where Our Loves Are Sleeping.  Inspired by the end of the Civil War, ladies of the South decorated the graves of dead confederate soldiers.  Although president Lyndon Johnson officially declared Waterloo, New York as the birthplace of Memorial Day in 1966, the debate continues today as several cities had spontaneous celebrations back in the 1860’s.

Acts 10:4 introduces another memorial day, one with a spiritual background.  Legalism within the Jewish faith had exploded by the first century, creating social barriers between Jews, Gentiles and half-Jews due to inter marriage.  Like a leper, outcast by society, Gentiles were not initially accepted by the 12 apostles, who focused on reaching all the Jews within Jerusalem, Acts 1:8.  However, the persecution led by Saul caused early church leaders to shift directions in Acts 8:1-4 toward believers located in Judea and Samaria.  When the time had arrived, the prayers of a Gentile named Cornelius were answered.

An angel of the Lord came to Cornelius in a vision one afternoon, Acts 10:3.  While silent for years, God brings him great news.  Cornelius’ prayers and gifts to the poor have not been overlooked, brought to light in a memorial offering.  The final touch is communicated to Peter in a vision found in Acts 10:9-16.  This occurred so that legalism of Jewish Christians would be broken, lifted to welcome any Gentile into the kingdom of God.  Since Jesus died once and for all for all sin, 1 Peter 3:18, as a memorial offering for mankind, God’s goal was to eliminate cliches, factions and social barriers within the church, Colossians 2:20-23.  In view of this, don’t let holiday shopping, weather or worldly ways keep you from offering up a Memorial Day prayer!

by Jay Mankus

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Somebody Do Something

Posted on November 12, 2012 by expressyourself4him
     During his inaugural address in 1961, John F. Kennedy understood the spirit of rugged individualism.  Instead of waiting for the government to come the rescue, JFK urged American citizens to be proactive by saying, “ask not what your country can do for you; ask what can you do for your country.”  In other words, somebody do something now!
     In the wake of Hurricane Sandy, residents from New Jersey and New York have been heard on television complaining to reporters covering the aftermath of this super storm.  These citizens directly affected have been waiting for FEMA, local officials and utility companies to come to the rescue with little or no avail.  Conservative talk show host Rush Limbaugh recently compared the Obama Administration to Santa Claus, creating a society seeking free handouts, goodies from the government.  Unfortunately, president Obama have convinced voters to go against JFK’s plea, waiting for somebody else to act.
     According to Jesus in Matthew 20:20-28 and Mark 9:46-50, the greatest achievement in life a person can accomplish is serving others.  Churches during Hurricane Katrina were vital transport areas, taking food and supplies directly to those affected.  Meanwhile, every Thanksgiving, homeless shelters across the nation provide a warm meal to the poor and needy.  Therefore, if you are tired of waiting for someone to come to your rescue, look around your neighborhood for a desperate soul and lend a helping hand.  When somebody does something for another individual, they will receive more from giving than they do from receiving.
by Jay Mankus

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