Tag Archives: Political correctness

Desperate for Leadership

Posted on May 1, 2015 by expressyourself4him

If anyone says, “I love God,” and hates his brother, he is a liar; for he who does not love his brother whom he has seen cannot love God whom he has not seen, 1 John 4:20.

Most individuals talk a good game, yet when you put their actions under a microscope there isn’t much to be inspired by.  Perhaps a rise in narcissism is to blame, turning a blind eye to reality, living by the mantra, “do as I say, not as I do!”  Unfortunately, a lack of integrity, morality and quality parenting is feeding a generation of self-seekers, cutting corners to get ahead, whatever the cost.

But whoever hates his brother is in the darkness and walks in the darkness, and does not know where he is going, because the darkness has blinded his eyes, 1 John 2:11.

Meanwhile, the middle class are stuck in the mud, dreaming of brighter days only to wake up to a living nightmare.  Peer pressure, political correctness and those seeking approval often decide to go with the flow, even if its the wrong direction.  The rest of the crowd, standing on the sidelines wait, is hoping a pied piper will come to their rescue.  In the meantime, souls are hungry and thirsting for leadership.

The world cannot hate you, but it hates me because I testify about it that its works are evil, John 7:7.

In the absence of good character, its time for people to take a stand for what they believe.  Jesus knew the world hated him, yet his purpose in life was to fulfill the will of God the Father.  Likewise, the faith community need to get off their couches, find places to serve in their community and show the path for others to follow.  As Jesus once said, “the harvest is ready, but the workers are few.”   Get in the game today while there is still time left on life’s clock.

by Jay Mankus

 

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A Quest for Truth

Posted on March 8, 2015 by expressyourself4him

Verifying facts is a daily responsibility for educators.  However, when the truth conflicts with one’s beliefs, theories or worldview, accuracy may be altered to coincide with your ideology.  Therefore, as individuals search for absolutes on the internet, don’t be surprise if truth is being suppressed.

When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth, for he will not speak on his own authority, but whatever he hears he will speak, and he will declare to you the things that are to come. – John 16:13

Recently, Google has changed their algorithm for their search engine.  Initially, Google listed web sites based upon how many hits each received.  Thus, the most popular and trending topics would appear from highest to lowest.  In an opening monologue, Rush Limbaugh illustrated how Google caved after Chinese authorities complained about receiving negative press.  Subsequently, Google’s new algorithm runs based upon which sites their company believes to be most truthful.  Unfortunately, this once great company has been corrupted by declining ethics, now a pawn for the liberal media.

Think over what I say, for the Lord will give you understanding in everything. – 2 Timothy 2:7

Whether you are in the process of beginning a research paper, sorting through controversial issues or trying to broaden your understanding about life, make sure you do your due diligence.  According to 1 Thessalonians 5:21-22, test everything that you see, hear or read.  As your quest for truth continues, cling to that which is true, yet avoid any kind of evil.  Although skeptics may question or scoff at your findings, ask the Lord to direct your steps as this journey proceeds. Thus, you can go to sleep with a clear conscience, knowing the conclusion you reached derived from a quest for truth.

by Jay Mankus

 

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Waking Up in the Wrong World

Posted on December 22, 2014 by expressyourself4him

In the not so distant past, complainers were once ignored.  As time was wasted by being petty, hard working individuals built this country, trying to earn a piece of the pie.  Dreams were acted upon, not just idle talk without action.  Like waking up in a daze, I now find myself stuck in the wrong world, trying to figure out how this happened so fast.

Unfortunately, atheists have led the way, convincing lawyers that being offended by God has to stop.  Thus, the minority is the majority, transforming the spiritual climate of the United States.  When you add in political correctness, education without morality and families without faith, the days of Father Knows Best and Leave It To Beaver are gone.

11 Dear friends, I urge you, as foreigners and exiles, to abstain from sinful desires, which wage war against your soul. 12 Live such good lives among the pagans that, though they accuse you of doing wrong, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day he visits us. – 1 Peter

While driving back and forth to work, I stumbled across House of Their Dreams by Casting Crowns.  These lyrics talk about people who come to the realization that their career and or life isn’t what they had in mind.  This stunning truth is like a prodigal who comes to their senses, Luke 15:17.  Whether its Christmas or the dawn of a new year, may the state of your soul inspire you to seek something more, John 10:10.  Although we all have to cope with a wrong world, apply the principles of 1 Peter 2:11-12 so that you don’t wake up in the wrong eternal destination.

by Jay Mankus

 

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That Will Solve The Problem…Not

Posted on November 25, 2014 by expressyourself4him

A PSA is short for Public Service Announcement.  Whether organizations are motivated by personal convictions, political correctness or remorse, PSA’s have become a common vehicle to communicate messages.  In view of players involved in domestic violence cases, the National Football League has created a recent commercial using stars to stop this assault on women.

Unfortunately, PSA’s often assume 2 things.  First, listening to this ad will result in stopping this behavior.  Second, if you follow the advice provided, together you can eliminate it from society.  This mindset is flawed, not taking the sinful nature into consideration.  Thus, sarcasm leads me to think to myself, “that will solve the problem, not!”

From my experience as a parent, teacher and worker, no one wants to be told what to do.  Sure, as a leader, you have to set the expectations you want others to adhere to.  Nonetheless, hearts have to change before the culture becomes transformed from violence to good Samaritans.  Unless individuals become born again, John 3:3-5, the world will remain hampered by the stains of sin.

by Jay Mankus

 

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Progressive or Indigestion?

Posted on July 28, 2014 by expressyourself4him

The progressive movement in America was spawned after the Industrial Revolution near the end of the 19th century.  Politicians sought to level the playing field to allow the middle and lower class to compete by sharing the wealth.  Sound familiar?  Today, redistribution of wealth is punishing the richest citizens, trying to convince low information voters that the wealthiest Americans are not paying their fair share.  In reality, these hard working individuals are paying more than enough.   Demonized by the media, this lie has been bought, hook, line and sinker, causing successful businesses to think about leaving this once great country.

Meanwhile, the progressive movement has infringed upon freedom of speech.  A week ago, Tony Dungy was considered the moral authority in the National Football League, a commentator for Football Night in America on NBC.  Former Super Bowl winning coach and author of Uncommon, Dungy has been under attack the last 7 days for giving an honest opinion about Michael Sam, the 7th round draft pick of the St. Louis Rams who came out of the classic prior to the 2014 NFL Draft.  According to the liberal media, you can’t be a Bible believing Christian and objective.  If you read between the lines, the Bible is out of date and being progressive is the dawn of this New Age so if you want to keep your job, shut up.

In the 1970’s, the United States of America was known as the great melting pot, blending nationalities into one nation under God.  Unfortunately, political correctness and the progressive movement is destroying the foundation upon which this country was established.  Why can’t we debate ideas and let the people decide?  May the Holy Spirit fill Tony Dungy with the boldness of the apostles in Acts 4:29.  Pray for him and others who are fighting for the pursuit of life, liberty and the American way.  At the conclusion of this battle, either the progressives will win or indigestion will inspire a nation to rise up and vote progressives out of office.

by Jay Mankus

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Being Well Rounded or Focusing on One Thing?

Posted on January 3, 2014 by expressyourself4him

As I was beginning to concentrate on specific talents that I possessed, most of the advice I received as a teenager was to become well rounded, taking a break from seasonal activities when the season concluded.  While I was experiencing a multitude of hobbies, I noticed that those individuals who focused on one sport began to surpass my own skill level.  Subsequently, I tended to excel at every sport I played except basketball, yet I never reached a great level, just very good.  Modern travel ball clubs and teams are trying to make the cream of the crop into the very best.

Today, nations across the globe are developing gifted professional athletes through a series of cutting edge schools dedicated to one specific concentration.  Although countries like China have taken this to extremes highlighted by the 2012 Summer Olympics coverage, limiting parental visitation to their sports academies, America appears to have fallen way behind the rest of the world.  Instead of indoctrinating students with a well rounded view of political correctness, education should focus on the basics: reading, writing and arithmetic.  Time will tell who is correct.

As I get down off my soap box, my role has changed from the student to the guardian.  It’s my turn to pass the torch to the next generation.  Do I allow my 3 kids to encounter various activities or do I push them toward choosing one thing to invest their time and energy?  Part of me is torn, wanting my children to be exposed to opportunities I never had the chance to participate in.  On  the other hand, you can’t teach passion, so in the end, young people will determine their future based upon the choices each makes.  The last thought I has is this: Do you want to be good at many things or do you want to be the best at one specific thing?  God’s blessings to all in 2014 as you ponder if you want to be well rounded or dedicate your time to one thing.

by Jay Mankus

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Christless

Posted on December 22, 2013 by expressyourself4him

Seinfeld was one of the first sitcoms to mock Christmas, establishing Festivus for the rest of us.  Meanwhile, Jewish holidays weren’t exempt as Saturday Night Live, known as SNL, created their own version of Hanukkah sung by Adam Sandler.  At one point in American culture, certain topics were taboo, to avoid offensive language.  However, a growing trend has erased the line eliminating boundaries, opening up every religion to verbal attacks except for Islam.

When you subtract the presents, songs and exchange of gifts, what else remains?  Sure, there are decorations, lights and manger scenes, but is Jesus still Lord of this holiday?  Or has the good news of a Messiah been X-out by cards too cheap to print the reason for masses across the country and throughout the world?  As I look around the roads, shopping malls and desolate streets, cheers of good news is a rare sound.  Rather, complaining, gripes and moodiness fill the air, opening the door for another Christ-less season.

If political correctness continues to be a guiding light for Americans, I’m afraid the days of Christmas may soon be over.  In a recent interview, Christian singer Chris Tomlin vowed he’d go to jail if celebrating Christmas ever became illegal.  For those who think, “that would never happen here,” don’t be so sure.  For whenever a nation curses Israel or harms their ability to remain free, God promises to curse those countries that don’t stand with God’s chosen people.  In the Silent Nights that remain, may the Holy Spirit touch your heart, persuading you to invite Jesus back into your home, neighborhood and perhaps local schools.  If not, Christmas will be another day for the homeless and orphans, waiting for a brighter day.

by Jay Mankus

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Faith Week

Posted on April 23, 2013 by expressyourself4him

When I was a child, schools did not have many national holidays.  Sure, I would miss days for Thanksgiving, Christmas and Easter break, but once school began in the fall, days off were few and far between.  In recent days, political correctness has added several new holiday days and theme weeks for educators to shape the minds of children.  Unfortunately, facts and history are being replaced by ideology, liberal philosophies and unproven theories.

As Earth Week began yesterday, Monday 22nd, going green will be shoved down the throats of all those who watch television the next 7 days.  I am not saying that I am against this movement, as the days of using rivers and streams as dumping areas is disappearing.  Nor are their any river fires like the 5 which occurred on the Cuyahoga River in Cleveland, the last of which made national headlines in the early 1970’s.  My point is that the only thing individuals can really control their own life by being good stewards of those possessions God has bestowed upon them.

Well, since the media appears to have control the annual dates of days and themes, I want to declare April 29th-May 5th, Faith Week.  When I studied the Great Awakening in seminary, I was shocked by the moral decay of America in the 1790’s.  Societal patterns which existed in the late 1790’s are similar to those which exist in today’s colleges and universities.  Yet, when I few Christians began to meet together in a concert of prayer, another Pentecost occurred Acts 5:31.  If the church rises up, united in prayer, maybe another Great Awakening is around the corner.  As for now, follow in the footsteps of the apostles, 1 Thessalonians 4:1-2.

by Jay Mankus

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2 + 5 = 12

Posted on April 2, 2013 by expressyourself4him

Sure, if you want to get technical about it, 2 + 5 does equal 7.  However, when a growing number of youth sports organizations refuse to keep score, why can’t everyone win.  Meanwhile, school districts in Texas are following a similar pattern, not giving letter grades to prevent students from suffering low self-esteem.  In this age of political correctness, for today’s blog, 2 + 5 = 12.

Believe it or not, there are conditions and circumstances when 2 + 5 does indeed equal 12.  In fact, when you enter God into this equation like algebra, this answer can be clearly proven.  For example, one day Jesus tried to feed roughly 5,000 men, plus additional women and children not accounted for in John 6:10.  Testing the faith of his 12 disciples, Jesus attempts to take the resources set aside for 12 disciples and feed the masses of people surrounding them  on a mountain side.

Philip, likely an accountant, begged to differ with Jesus, throwing out the cost to feed this many people, John 6:7.  Andrew, a little more optimistic takes a quick inventory, discovering 5 loaves of barley bread and 2 small fish, John 6:9.  Based upon this verse, the more Andrew thought about it, the less confident he becomes.  Everything changes when you add Jesus into this problem.  Similar to a communion performed by a rabbi, priest or pastor, Jesus breaks the fish and bread, giving thanks to God above.  After the people were full, Jesus sent the disciples around to collect the basket of leftovers.  Amazingly, 2 small fish plus 5 loaves of barley bread results in 12 baskets provided by the Bread of Life, John 6:48.

by Jay Mankus

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Sit Down and Shut Up or Get Up and Speak Out?

Posted on February 5, 2013 by expressyourself4him

1 day ago
While 71,024 spectators were eyewitnesses of Sunday Night’s Super Bowl 47, won by the Ravens 34-31, at the Superdome in New Orleans, another event was overshadowed.  The Waste Management Open at the T.P.C. of Scottsdale held a crowd that would make a We Are The World Concert jealous.  More than 550,000 fans came out over 4 days to support the PGA of America and local Arizona charities.  This crowd had front row seats to Phil Mickelson’s 28 under par score, 2 shots shy of the PGA Tour record held by Tommy Armour III.

Although golfers are often teased by other professional athletes, this PGA event features stadium golf and the infamous 16th hole, a short par 3 surrounded by 177 sky boxes and 15,000 seats.  This arena creates a non-typical golf setting.  Instead of being told by marshals to sit down and shut up, spectators are encouraged to get up and let golfers know how you really feel.  Between the cheers and boos for shots either making or missing the green, caddies race to the green with 75 pound golf bags over their shoulders, winning by being the first to step foot on the green.  For one week each year, a circus like atmosphere comes to Scottsdale, hosted by the Thunderbirds, a local group of volunteers which is responsible for growing this tournament into what it has become, a 4 day pre-Superbowl party.

2 days ago

Though the world of golf is changing for the better, the arena of ideas has been muffled for Christians, stifled by political correctness.  When it comes to the Bible, Christian symbols, prayer and religious freedoms, the government is regularly telling Christians to sit down and shut up with your Jesus talk.  Facing a similar threat in Acts 5:12-42, the apostles took a different route.  Risking jail, flogging to a point near death and hatred from religious leaders, led my Peter, these 12 men, got up, went to the temple and meeting places to boldly preach the gospel of Jesus Christ.  Despite daily persecution, God blessed the faithfulness of these leaders.  When you get your opportunity, my only question is, will you sit down and shut up or get up and speak out for Jesus?

by Jay Mankus

For a better understanding of the 16th hole, check out Peter Jacobson’s new song on itunes.  Jake & the Ball Washers song debuted Saturday, February 2nd on NBC during the live PGA telecast.  NBC Sports also owns the Golf Channel.

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