Tag Archives: Philadelphia Eagles

There is No But

Posted on August 25, 2014 by expressyourself4him

Since I spend over an hour in my car commuting back and forth from work, I rely on a variety of sources of entertainment.  When I grow tired of my CD collection, I cross over to talk radio to pass the time in traffic.  Whether its politics or sports, I scan the dial searching for a fresh approach.  My experience today has to be one of the best in recent memory.

While listening to WIP, a Philly Sports Station, an African American caller was trying to accuse Eagles head coach Chip Kelly of botching the Desean Jackson release, a wide receiver who signed with the Washington Redskins.  Former DT Hollis Thomas, stopped this man in his tracks with the expression, “there is no but!”  Excuse after excuse was swatted away by Hollis like Manute Bol toying with a kid trying to make a lay up.  Hollis’ co-host had to throw in the towel before this caller lost his dignity.

The next try you try to pass the blame by making up a lame excuse, remember there is not but in the Bible.   Unfortunately, most people are on spiritual life support, Romans 3:9-12, unable to escape the grasp of sin.  If Adam and Eve weren’t able to convince God of their reason for eating the forbidden fruit, Genesis 3:7-19, then don’t waste your time today.  In view of this reality, pour out your heart to God, confessing your sins so that despite your failures in life, the Lord will extend his grace to you through forgiveness.

by Jay Mankus

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A Life Void of Passion

Posted on July 22, 2014 by expressyourself4him

My earliest recollection of passion began in Junior High as friends debated the best music video on MTV, the greatest rock band and favorite sports teams.  In High School, I began to live by the 3 G’s: Girls, Golf and God, fluctuating in order depending upon the timing or season.  By the time college arrived, my interests shifted toward amusement parks, intramural sports and sand volleyball, with the latter dominating most of my summer nights.  When I began my career as a youth pastor, interacting with families, karaoke and water sports consumed most of my time.  As a family man, I have mellowed, spending time listening to music, working on my golf green out back and writing on a daily basis.

Passion is embodied in enthusiasm, excitement and feelings.  Although I still possess hot button issues inside my heart, most of the things I once held dear don’t illicit much of a response any more.  Sure, it would be nice for the Eagles to win a Super Bowl or witness another local team win a championship, but I refuse to place my hope in someone or something that disappoints you 99% of the time.  Likewise, I find it futile to debate music, politics and television shows.  As Solomon once said, “everything was meaningless, a chasing after the wind; nothing was gained under the sun,” Ecclesiastes 2:11, in reference to pleasures on earth.  Perhaps, this may explain why I am currently living a life void of passion.

If you have ever reached this point, emptiness tends to cause you to lose your voice, bored by most of the conversations you hear.  However, when you find a cause worth living for, passion can and will return.  In Acts 4:29, the passion of Jesus Christ prevented the disciples from being shut down.  Rather, the power of the Holy Spirit consumed their souls, not able to forget about the risen Savior who suffered, died and rose again 3 days later.  This is the passion I am missing, lost in translation between the pages of the Bible and putting faith into action.  May the fire of Christ followers burn bright in your region so that lives void of passion will be invigorated by the power of God.

by Jay Mankus

 

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Last Call

Posted on July 10, 2014 by expressyourself4him

Every classic movie or sitcom filmed in a bar has at least one scene based upon the notion, last call for one more round of drinks.  In the 1996 film Invincible, Mark Wahlberg plays Vince Papale, a bartender who fulfills a life long dream of trying out for Philadelphia Eagles, his local NFL team.  As the plot develops, several of the beginning scenes take place at the establishment where Vince hangs out and takes a part time job after losing his teaching position.  Like the closing bell on Wall Street, the last call serves as a two minute warning before closing up for the night.

In life, few people receive a clear indication that their time on earth is up.  Sure, those stricken by an incurable disease have an inclination that the end is near, yet countless are cut down, killed in accidents or murdered without any signs or notice.  These individuals don’t have any time to prepare for eternity.  Instead, their destination is determined by the life they have lived.  Unfortunately, no one is perfect, Romans 3:9-12, falling short of God’s expectations, Matthew 5:48.

In Luke 23:32-43, three man were sentenced to death.   As curious spectators got their kicks, watching 3 men die on a cross, one man took advantage of this last call on life.  Acknowledging his crime publicly and worried about his future, one criminal pleaded with Jesus, Luke 23:41-42.  As a result, this fortunate soul received something better than a last drink, the gift of eternal life, Luke 23:43.  May you seize the moments God gives you during the living years so that you will enter the place Jesus calls paradise, 1 John 5:13.

by Jay Mankus

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The Gospel According to Forrest

Posted on August 1, 2013 by expressyourself4him

Forrest Gump once said, “stupid is as stupid does.”  Although Tom Hanks played this fictional character, there is a lot of truth to this statement.  Recently, Riley Cooper, a wide receiver for the Philadelphia Eagles went to a Kenny Chesney concert, had a few drinks, got into a heated argument with a black security guard and blabbered out a racial slur directed toward him.  When you do or say something stupid, it doesn’t mean you have to apologize day after day to make the media feel better.  Living about 30 minutes outside of Philadelphia, Riley Cooper is being crucified on the airways every hour, as callers are picking up the first stone like the account in John 8:1-11.  According to the Gospel of Forrest Gump, “stupid is as stupid does.”

From a spiritual perspective, there is a good reason why people say stupid things.  Since the birth of Cain, every child born on earth has been implanted with a virus.  The Bible refers to this birth defect as the sinful nature or carnality in the original King James version, Romans 7:14-18.  As a result of this disease, individuals and their children have never been the same.  Thus, politicians, professional athletes and average citizens daily fulfill the words of Forrest Gump.

Take for example the daughters of Lot, trying to cope with the loss of their mother, death of their future husbands and a father stricken with depression, Genesis 19:30.  Emulating the practices of their uncle Abraham, Lot’s daughters felt more comfortable trusting in their own wisdom rather than wait on God to provide.  Therefore, they each partake in Indecent Proposal IV & V.  Once their dad is drunk as a skunk, with his beer goggles on, Lot thinks the woman in his tent is a mistress or perhaps a dream that he is sleeping with his wife once again.  Instead, Lot’s daughters take the gutter to a new low, sharing their father on consecutive one night stands, Genesis 19:32-35.  “Stupid is as stupid does!”

Similar to the descendants of Ham, these woman gave birth to the Moabites and Ammonites.  Like Abraham and Lot’s daughters, the Moabites trusted in Egypt when times got tough.  In addition, the Moabites called on Balaam to curse Israel, setting in motion their exclusion from the nation of Israel.  Meanwhile, the Ammonites worshiped the idol Milcom, which also led Solomon astray.  By breaking the first and second commandments, Exodus 20:3-4, a generational curse is poured out upon this nation, Exodus 20:5.  This is why Jesus adds Matthew 18:5-7 to the Bible.  He knew how precious and innocent children are.  Therefore, if you still have time to act, live out Matthew 18:8-9, purging sin from your life so that your children and children’s children don’t inherit the sins of their parents.  Check out Restoring The Foundations ministry online if you want to know more about how sin impacts children.

by Jay Mankus

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Look Up; Not Within!

Posted on June 15, 2013 by expressyourself4him

As a coach and teacher, the me, me, me mindset can become tiring.  Former NFL running back Ricky Watters became infamous in Philadelphia following his post game comments, “For who, for what?”  More concerned about his own health than stretching out to make a play, a generation of professional athletes have adopted this motto.  Yet, Psalm 123 provides a different philosophy, looking beyond yourself.

While professional athletes do have a shorter shelf life than blue collared workers, it is the Lord who preserves one’s life, Psalm 123:2.  Although free will does exist, the Lord is ultimately in control, ushering his angels to protect God’s people.  On the other side of the spectrum, naturalism claims truth comes from within.  The attractiveness of this worldview has led many into relying on science and knowledge.

The famous painting known as The School of Athens created by Raphael in the early 16th century articulates this internal battle.  As Plato points toward heaven, affirming the principles of the Bible, Socrates seeks gnosis, a secret wisdom from within.  Today, this debates continues, with public opinion slanting things in Socrates favor.  However, I still believe in the God above, whom calls people to look up, not within!

by Jay Mankus

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Get Over It!

Posted on June 13, 2013 by expressyourself4him

For 30 plus years, the national media has killed Philadelphia sports fans for booing and throwing snow balls at Santa Claus during an Eagle’s football game in the 1970’s.  With the eyes of the golfing world now on Merion Golf Club, just outside of center city, for this week’s 2013 U.S. Open, another story continues to drag on.  After a disappointing career up to this point, Sergio Garcia recently made an off colored remark toward Tiger Woods, trying to be funny at an news conference in Europe.  Like beating a dead horse, golf and sports analysts continue to bring this up over and over again, trying to stir up bad blood.  For now, can  everyone please move on and get over it?

In life, each individual has endured heartache, frustration and pain at least once.  Bitterness is often a natural response, left behind by someone or something from your past.  Although its true time does heal all things, scar tissue remains, brought to the surface by people, places or things.  If you fail to let go of these emotions, barriers will rise up out of the ground in the form of spiritual roots, Hebrews 12:16.  This obstacle will eat away at your soul, leaving behind division, friction and hatred toward others.  For your own good, I urge you to get over these events, Matthew 6:15.

At the conclusion of Scrooged starring Bill Murray, he confesses his sins to a live audience.  After evaluating his own life, Murray realizes that he has been a jerk, selfish and damaged by a poor relationship with his own father.  When you practice this kind of behavior, James 5:16, individuals can reclaim a sense of freedom.  Reaching this point is no easy task as thoughts of certain co-workers, neighbors or relatives may bring out the worst in you.  However, its time to bury the hatchet, to seek forgiveness or forgive anyone you haven’t been able to up to this point in life.  Whether its a former boyfriend, girlfriend, spouse or relative, please for the love of God, get over it!

by Jay Mankus

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Note to Tweeters: Think Before You Tweet

Posted on January 30, 2013 by expressyourself4him

Yesterday, January 28th, 2013, Lesean McCoy, star NFL running back for the Philadelphia Eagles was burned by the world of Twitter.  Initially, claiming someone hacked into his account, (I’ve heard that one before) he publicly apologized for airing his dirty laundry.  In an exchange with his ex-girl friend, Lesean acknowledged that he lost control of his temper and should have been more mature, dealing with this matter face to face like a man during an interview on CSN, the Comcast Sports Network.


Unfortunately, Lesean was not aware of Solomon’s words in Proverbs 21:23. “He who guards his mouth and tongue keeps himself from calamity.”  A womanizer in his own right, King Solomon had 700 wives and 300 concubines, 1 Kings 11:3, before he settled down.  Solomon recognized that woman often bring out the worst in a man as detailed by his words in Proverbs 21:19.  “Better to live in a desert than with a quarrelsome and ill-tempered wife.”  In case you forget, Solomon repeats these warnings throughout Proverbs like the version in Proverbs 21:9.

According to C.S. Lewis in Mere Christianity, anyone can acquire prudence and temperance, within his chapter on the Cardinal Virtues.  Lewis defines prudence as practical common sense, thinking about what you are about to do or say and the likely outcome of it.  Temperance on the other hand is learning to go or take something to the right distance, but no further.  You don’t have to be religious to apply these basic principles.  Rather, one must have an inner desire to better themselves, to maintain a good reputation and leave a legacy that is honorable.  Therefore, the next time you think about tweeting when you are angry, reflect before making  your words public!  Then, you might make this world a better place.

by Jay Mankus

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Take the High Road

Posted on January 3, 2013 by expressyourself4him

Wes King crafted his song Sticks and Stones to unravel the childhood saying, “Sticks and stones will break my bones, but names will never hurt me!”  While the originator of this expression was likely attempting to encourage young people to develop “thick skin” toward words, King uses a biblical approach to form his lyrics.  Quoting James 3:1-12, this skilled writer exposes the dangers words can have on your soul.  The group Fan Mail take words one step further in their song Messed Up, claiming “we all get away with murder, the things that we say could kill!”

Whether you agree with these artists or not, words just don’t roll off people’s shoulders, dropping to the ground void of any damage, harm or pain.  In fact, like a feeding frenzy, words can cause an adrenaline rush in which you can get caught up in.  The urge to throw someone under the bus, gossip about someone you don’t like or trash someone with the rest of your friends is difficult to resist.  At a recent party, God convicted me of the very thing that I despise, taking the easy road with cheap and low blows by opening my mouth.

The term class is dying breed, a lost art in this age of Facebook, Twitter and instant messages.  Instead of following the Matthew 18:15-20 principle, most wimp out, hanging their dirty language out in the open for all to see.  Whether you like Andy Reid or not, former NFL head coach of the Philadelphia Eagles for 14 seasons, he consistently protected his players during post-game press conferences even if some played like dogs.  Thus, its time for me and others in the body of Christ to grow up spiritually.  Join me in my quest during 2013 to take the high road, declining to focus on the negative by dwelling on wholesome words which are helpful in building up others, Ephesians 4:29-30.

by Jay Mankus

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Abandon Ship, Abandon Ship

Posted on December 7, 2012 by expressyourself4him

Edward Smith, Captain of the Titanic said, “I never saw a wreck and never have been wrecked, nor was I ever in any predicament that threatened to end in disaster.”  These famous last words illustrate why the apostle Paul warned people about being over confident in 1 Corinthians 10:12.  Unfortunately, Vince Young, former backup quarterback of the Philadelphia Eagles didn’t learn from history calling the 2011 Eagles the next “dream team,” ending in a nightmare at 8-8.  Starting quarterback Michael Vick revised this statement with one of his own, calling the 2012 Eagles “a dynasty.”  After 8 straight loses following a 3-1 start to this NFL season, at 3-9 its time to abandon ship.

The word hype means to advertise, build up, excite and publicly tout.  If a professional athlete wants to get on ESPN, they will celebrate excessively or show boat to draw attention to themselves hoping to make Sports Center.  Meanwhile, if a journalist wants national exposure, he or she will try to write something controversial so that people will talk about their piece around the water cooler at work.  This probably explains why writers of the 1997 film Titanic include a scene with Leonardo DiCaprio standing up on top of the forward bow, yelling, “I’m king of the world!”  Instead of jumping ship, our culture has abandoned humility.

Gone are the days of acting like you have been there, handing the ball to the official after scoring a touchdown in football.  Or simply running around the bases following a home run in baseball.  Meanwhile, narcissists are running rampant in society, likely due to a lack of discipline, parenting and  the rod of correction, Proverbs 13:24.  Either way you slice it, people are abandoning the principles of the Magna Carta.  Europeans came to this country on ships to fulfill the great commission, Mark 16:15-16, by spreading the gospel to the new world.  Today, revisionists are erasing Christ from our history books as we now live in the Common Era.

As the ship called America is sinking, I am optimistic that Captain Jesus can save us from a sea of despair.  However, its not a bad idea to put on the life vest of salvation, 1 Thessalonians 5:8-9.  When the upcoming financial cliff approaches, be prepared for the worst, 1 Peter 1:3-7 so that through this adventure your faith will be refined for the next ice berg.  As for now, slow speed ahead with your eyes on the prize, Philippians 3:20-21!

by Jay Mankus

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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

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