Tag Archives: Ocean City

Finding Solace by the Sea

Posted on August 17, 2015 by expressyourself4him

Depending upon where you grew up, there are areas, places and towns which make you feel at home.  Perhaps it’s childhood memories that you cherish, a location you spent countless hours at or an environment that brings out the best in you.  For me, I find solace by the sea.

For in the day of trouble he will keep me safe in his dwelling; he will hide me in the shelter of his sacred tent and set me high upon a rock, Psalm 27:5.

As a kid, I spent time playing on the beach at Atlantic City before there were casinos.  Occasionally,venturing to Sea Ilse and Wildwood Crest to stay with friends or visit the boardwalk.  After moving to Delaware, Rehobeth, Fenwick Island and Ocean City, Maryland became seasonal treks, leaving fond memories etched into my mind.

You are my hiding place; you will protect me from trouble and surround me with songs of deliverance, Psalm 32:7.

In the Bible, Jesus found solace in going to the mountains to pray, Mark 1:35-39.  David retreated to a cave with friends to lift his spirits, 1 Samuel 22:1-2.  While it’s not mentioned, I’m sure James and John found joy in fishing, especially when the season was right.  Well, my point of today’s blog is to make people think of that retreat destination or resting place which recharges your spiritual batteries.  Discovering and visiting this place often brings life to dead and dying souls back to life.  As for me, I find solace while I recreate in the ocean.

by Jay Mankus

 

Leave a comment

Posted in Truth and tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , . Bookmark the permalink.

The Land of Lost Love

Posted on January 27, 2013 by expressyourself4him

Pink Floyd once sang about what I feel in my heart today in their song Comfortably Numb.  The 4th stanza’s lyrics express the following: “There is no pain you are receding; A distant ship’s smoke on the horizon; You are only coming through in waves; Your lips move, But I can’t hear what you’re saying.”  My issue is not with words.  Rather, my concern is with a lack of action.  After reading Proverbs 17 this morning, I am left to question, where has all the love gone in America?

According to verse 9, anyone who covers over an offense promotes love.  Unfortunately, what I watch on television or experience in life is another story.  Reality Television series ratings seem to skyrocket when cursing, drama and fights are portrayed.  While a friend is suppose to love at all times, Proverbs 17:17, back stabbing, gossip and trash talking appear to sell, making Hollywood millions of dollars each year.  Meanwhile, family value shows are becoming extinct or cast off like Marshall, Will and Holly into the Land of the Lost.

The only kind of love I regularly see is eros, the Greek word for sensual or sexual love.  Every time I go to buy groceries, magazines surround the checkout counter, filling your mind with unwholesome thoughts if you’re not careful.  Philia, the Greek word for brotherly love pops its head up from time to time.  People like Tim Tebow, Bethany Hamilton and communities like Ocean City, New Jersey keep this kind of love alive.  However, agape, translated unconditional love is even vanishing from churches.  Grudges, power hungry individuals and unforgiveness is stripping Christianity from its main attraction.

Instead of living in a land of love, crushed spirits continue to reign, Proverbs 17:22.  In the absence of a cheerful heart, the medicine people seek is missing, awol, absent without love.  If there ever was a time for the fulfillment of Ezekiel 22:30, the time is now.  Who will stand in the gap of a unloving world and love the unlovable?  If someone doesn’t act quickly, we might all become comfortably numb.  Developing a Philippians 4:8-9 mindset is a good place to start.  The rest depends on how well people live out the Bible.  Choose agape love today!

by Jay Mankus

Leave a comment

Posted in Uncategorized and tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , . Bookmark the permalink.

Why Josh Hamilton in Philly Pinstripes Makes Sense

Posted on December 1, 2012 by expressyourself4him

Like Bill Murray in Scrooged running from the ghosts of Christmas, Josh Hamilton understands the meaning of having a checkered past.  A former number one pick of the Tampa Bay Rays in 1999, this blue chip prospect had his baseball career derailed by a drug addiction.  A living example of 1 Corinthians 15:33-34, Josh Hamilton was led astray by his association with a tattoo parlor which influenced him to experiment with illegal drugs and alcohol.  After a visit to the Betty Ford drug rehabilitation center, Josh improved until failing his first of 2 drugs tests, leading to his exit of baseball for an extended period of time.

Josh’s story and comeback became a national headline after airing on ESPN’s Homecoming with Rick Reilly in January of 2009.  Appearing in his hometown of Raleigh, North Carolina, Josh shared skeletons from his past as well as his new relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ.  After being traded to the Texas Rangers from the Chicago Cubs, his new team put in place an accountability system to prevent Josh from back sliding into his former bad habits.  Since being acquired from Chicago in 2007, Josh has been selected to 5 all-star teams, won the 2010 American League Most Valuable Player award and led Texas to 2 consecutive World Series appearances in 2010 and 2011.

As a current free agent, teams are afraid Josh’s body will break down physically, revert to his former life or simply isn’t worth the 4 years, 100 million dollar contract experts think he will receive.  This is where the Philadelphia Phillies make a great marriage on and off the field.  With Carlos Ruiz suspended for the first month of the season for using amphetamines, Josh Hamilton would look great between Chase Utley and Ryan Howard.  Although, this would make the Phillies vulnerable to left handed relievers, any right handed starting pitcher might soil their pants every 3 innings when facing these sluggers.

Off the field, Philadelphia has a history of strong charismatic Christian athletes on their professional sports teams beginning with Reggie White with the Philadelphia Eagles in the 1980’s.  Former eagle and future NFL hall of famer, Brian Dawkins would make a great mentor for Josh Hamilton, a true example of Jesus Christ.  Meanwhile, Josh could reside in Ocean City, New Jersey, a dry city since its establishment in 1879, a little over an hour drive from Citizen’s Bank Park.  Christians flock from all over the East Coast to this quaint beach side community, a perfect place for Josh to call home.  I may be dreaming of another big free agent signing, yet Josh Hamilton would look great in Phillies’ pinstripes.

by Jay Mankus

former mini-tour member and P.G.A. Qualifying school participant

former staff writer for Travel Golf Media

former Bible teacher, counselor and youth pastor

2 Comments

Posted in Uncategorized and tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , . Bookmark the permalink.