Tag Archives: Prayers

How Can I Know For Sure?

An innocent child folds their hands in the dark, calling out to an invisible God, waiting for a reply.  As years go on, this teenager places a condition on their request, “if only my parents could get back together, then I will believe?”  Once college begins, this student is bombarded with Communism, Marxism and Political Correctness, pondering in the back of their minds, “how can I know sure, what is real and what is a facade?”

Like a locomotive, times steams down the tracks of life.  Adulthood brings responsibility, bills, more bills and potentially children.  This adult now wrestles with balance, questioning if they have done enough to provide for their family without neglecting their loved ones.  Before you know, times vanishes, leaving a glimpse of your glory days, pondering retirement and beyond.  Finally, on your death bed, as you breathe your last breaths on earth, you ask one more time, “how can I know for sure that God is real?”

This question was first asked by Abram in Genesis 15:8 as his life wasn’t working out as he had hoped or planned.  His wife Sarai had not be able to bear any children, he was nearing 80 and despite being able to talk to God face to face in the mountains, Abram still had doubt in the back of his mind.  The disciples had similar concerns in John 14:1-4, as Jesus reveals his plans to go ahead to heaven, preparing rooms for his followers.  Finally, the one whom Jesus loved, leaves one final piece of assurance.  The promise of 1 John 5:13 should provide the confidence you need as you fall asleep this evening in peace, knowing there is a God and you can spend eternity with Him, Romans 10:9-10.

by Jay Mankus

The Detours of Life

When unforeseen events, startling situations or the unpredictable occur, you end up in a foreign place, side tracked by life.  These trials can be time consuming, often resulting in cancellations, delays or detours from the route you thought you would be traveling.  The most common response from Christian observers is Romans 8:28, thinking they are helping by quoting, “all things work together for the good for those who are in Christ Jesus.”

What these first responders don’t recognize is that mothers, fathers and hurting people aren’t ready to accept the fact that their child, friend, relative or spouse is dead.  Having a front row seat, I’ve had classmates die in car accidents, friends fall to cancer and others end their life through suicide.  While exiting out of funeral homes, the promise of Romans 8:28 was the furthest thing from my mind.  The only thing I could provide was a hug, shoulder to lean on and my silent prayers.

During the exile of the Israel, a similar thought process went on in Psalm 137.  To cope with this detour, the Psalmist called people to remember the good times, the glory of Zion.  Through time, reflection and mediation on the word of God, healing comes.  Unfortunately, rates vary, with some turning a journey in the desert into 40 years of aimless wandering.  As you go through your own detours in life, lean on James 1:2-4 to provide you wisdom until a new path opens or the old is restored.

by Jay Mankus

Finally Home

Movies with a happy ending often bring a tear to my eyes.  However, in life, sometimes people give up hope of living happily ever after.  As individuals struggle to keep a good paying job, marriages are suffering, on the verge of fading.  The matrimony vows of for better or for worse are usually forgotten, erased from memories when things don’t turn out for the good.

Until yesterday, I was worried about myself, my home and where my family and I would live in the future.  With bleak, broken dreams and disappointment on the horizon, my life was on the verge of collapse.  Crying out to the Lord day after day, God finally answered my prayers yesterday.  Lost, displaced and unsure if I would ever find a new occupational home, I now have a sense I am finally home with Amazon.

Like the peace of Christ mentioned in Philippians 4:6-7, God has released all my burdens, concerns and worries about finances.  Psalm 130:3-4 expresses the joy one receives when forgiven, staked to a new homestead and leash on life.  Nothing in the Bible illustrates this point more than Luke 15:17-24, the conclusion of the prodigal son.  Like this immature child, everyone makes mistakes, poor decisions and acts selfishly.  However, there is a God in heaven, waiting on the front porch for your return.  Come to your senses now so that you will experience the pleasure of finally being home!

by Jay Mankus

Big Brother

Initial thoughts of this title may lead people to images of the CBS reality show created by John de Mol.  The political savvy will likely be drawn in a different direction, thinking of the nickname for the federal government in the United States.  However, for the sake of brevity, today’s blog will address the idea that God is like a big brother.

Bully’s exist in every shape and form.  Whether this individual is a class mate, co-worker, neighbor, stalker or world power, from time to time, everyone needs a helping hand.  Psalm 125:1-2 suggests the Lord serves as a mountain of protection.  When your back is against the wall, pinned down by the travails of life, you need a big brother to come to the rescue.

When I was a 6th grader, I was a minority, attending an inner city Elementary with 90 % of the students either African American or Hispanic.  Since I was only 4’11” certain days were a living hell.  On a rough day, one of several bully’s attempted to shove me into a locker, in the process of closing the door on me.  Seeing my dire situation, God intervened sending a living giant to my aid.

Andre, one of my basketball friends during recess, 6 feet tall and close to 200 pounds in stature, easily put this bully in his place.  Throwing this student around like a rag doll,  Andre continued this drubbing until the boy vowed to never touch me again.  While your prayers might not be answered as direct as this one, don’t forget that God is like big brother, waiting to defend his younger siblings.

by Jay Mankus

When Joy Reemerged

On New Year’s Day, 2012, my oldest son, James and I played in a Disc Golf tournament.  After a small entry fee, James and I played well enough to earn a Frisbee, placing in our age brackets.  Before leaving, I also received money for winning a closest to the pin contest, 3 feet away.  We celebrated on the way home, going out to lunch with our 2 brand new discs.  Before last night, this was the last time I experienced joy.

This mood was broken by a chilling a phone call, a lost job and 18 months of hopelessness.  While I thought earlier in the year my luck was going to change, subtle signs from the Lord clearly revealed Chick-fil-A was not going to be in my future.  Falling apart on the inside, the prayers of dear friends and my church, has carried me across a barren desert of disappointment.

Deep in my heart, the only place I initially felt called was to coach Daniel, my younger son’s baseball team in Newark.  During my month as a Marketing Director, I was convicted by my lack of time with family.  In my absence, Coach Adrian, Coach Alex and my wife stepped in to fill the void left by me.  The team held their own, hovering above 500 before I returned.

Last night, winning the league championship culminated one of the most gratifying seasons ever as a coach.  Beside a few errors and base running blunders, every player contributed to score and or prevent runs from scoring.  Emotionally fragile at times like my last 18 months, everyone kept their composure until the final out.  The cherry on top is news earlier in the week of receiving a full time position with Amazon, with a start date set for next week.  I thank the Lord for holding me together and providing these blessings so that joy could reemerge.

by Jay Mankus

A Memorial Day Offering

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

Three Times O Lord

In baseball, 3 strikes end an at bat, as long as the catcher does not drop the third strike.  Three outs end each half-inning with a mercy rule added to little league games to teams trailing by 10 runs or more after the fourth inning.  While basketball allows 4 and 5 fouls in college and the pros respectively before a disqualification occurs, soccer has just 2 cards, a yellow and red card with the ejected player’s team forced to play the remainder of the game one man down.  In life, sometimes God needs to intervene, like a boxer’s trainer who throws a towel into the ring, officially ending the fight.

According to 2 Corinthians 12:7-8, the apostle Paul was pleading with the Lord on 3 different occasions to stop the pain inflicted by a messenger of Satan.  This thorn in the flesh suggests some kind of physical ailment, yet byproducts like anguish, depression and mental fatigue were likely also present.  Paul’s occupation as a tent maker could have led to arthritis, carpel tunnel like symptoms or various aches and pains.  Based upon the details of chapter 12, Paul appears to have begged God for a period of time before receiving a message from Jesus.

Maybe I am alone, but I have come to a point where I can’t handle any more bad news.  Like a roll of bounty paper towels, humility has absorbed the mess I am now living in, tapped beyond its cleaning power.  Thus, I have reach my pain threshold, unable to endure any more disappointment.  As I wrestle with the Lord in my thoughts and prayers, I am spent, emotionally drained by a burden of failure.  Therefore, my only hope lies in 2 Corinthians 12:9-10, waiting on the grace of God.  Though I don’t quite fully understand verse 9, my strength is sapped like a power tool lacking juice.  May the Holy Spirit provide the boost for me and anyone else coping with similar circumstances.  Three times O Lord, come to my rescue and to those also experiencing torment from messengers of Satan.

by Jay Mankus

Tiring Hands

If you have to be honest, I think every soul goes through phases of doubt.  These periods are highlighted by an absence of God, with moments of agony, distress and frustration.  Many have come to this edge, on the brink of throwing in the towel, walking away from blind hope.

Like the words of the Asaph in Psalm 77:2, lifting up your hands in faith can become tiring.  When prayers come back unanswered and the wicked prosper, one may sound like an Old Testament prophet, crying out for answers.  Whenever these ruts continue, voices like, “what’s the use” or  “God doesn’t care anymore” creep into your mind.

So what do you do, when your strength to tarry on abandons you?  Why repeat the same pattern with similar unsatisfying results?  As for my faint soul, I cling to the promises of Psalm 77:7-11, restoring confidence and a sense of peace back into my exhausted body.  The path of God, Psalm 77:19 takes my tired hands, breathing life via the Holy Spirit which keeps me holding on.

by Jay Mankus

A Different Kind of Paparazzi

Prior to Princess Diana’s death in 1997, I never knew what the term paparazzi meant.  I had heard of the term through shows like Entertainment Tonight, but paparazzi didn’t enter my world so I never gave them much thought.  According to modern dictionary’s, a paparazzi is a freelance photographer who doggedly pursues celebrities to take candid pictures for sale to magazines and newspapers.  In the case of Princess Diana, she fled from paparazzi in a limo with her boyfriend Dodi Fayed on August 31st, 1997.  Unfortunately, while trying to evade a media feeding frenzy, the chauffeur lost control of their vehicle in the Pont de l’Alma Tunnel resulting in her tragic death.

In Mark 2:1-11, there was a different kind of paparazzi.  These paparazzi’s were intrigued by life, not death, hovering around a home trying to catch a glimpse of Jesus.  Though modern crowds would be disbursed by Fire Marshals, the residents of Capernaum did whatever they could think of to gain access into this house.  While modern paparazzi likely don’t have the balls to cut a hole in the roof of a celebrity, 4 friends of a paralytic  astonished even Jesus, Mark 2:5.  As a result of the faith of these friends, thinking “if we can only get him to Jesus, some how he will be healed,” their prayer was answered in Mark 2:11-12.

After reading this passage, I thought, “to what extremes am I willing to go to receive answers to my prayers?’  Am I willing to become a fool for Christ like paparazzi who risk embarrassment daily?  Do I have the faith to lay everything on the line to achieve my end goal?  May this blog challenge you as we both contemplate our motivation in life.  May the words of Galatians 5:6 become a priority as you strive to become a different kind of paparazzi!

by Jay Mankus

Feeling 4 the Feeley’s

Sometimes in life, we have to put aside our own needs and extend a helping hand to someone else.  This morning I am reminded of the Feeley Family who laid to rest their 23 year old son last night.  Galatians 6:2 says carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.

Joe Sr, Joseph’s father is a man of character, faith and passion.  Although, when you lose the apple of your eye, as Joseph clearly was, each day without your one and only son must be difficult.  Therefore, I ask the entire Christian community, to carry Joe Sr’s burden today and for many weeks to come.  May the words of Psalm 34:18 be fulfilled in Joseph’s dad, that the Lord will be close to him and renew his crushed spirit.

As for Karen, Joseph’s mother, she has been a biblical example of faith, like Job.  On Karen’s Caringbridge site, she has poured out her heart, revealing the biblical truths God has shown her through these last 3 years.  If anyone can claim Galatians 5:25, it was Karen, who was led by the Holy Spirit day by day.  Like Job, the Feeley’s have lost almost everything during their quest to care for their son.  Therefore, I ask the Christian community to pray that Job 42:12 be fulfilled in their lives.  That God in His almighty power, will provide and restore the finances lost, on Joseph’s cancer treatment.

Finally, I ask you to lift up Jullian, Joseph’s little sister and Janie, Joseph’s girl friend, who stood by him to the end.  These 2 woman have suffered greatly and have sacrificed their time to love and support Joseph.  In their moment of sadness, pray that Isaiah 40:31 will be fulfilled in Julian and Janie.  When you think of the Feeley or see them in person, remember the words of the apostle Paul in Galatians 5:6b, “the only things that counts is faith expressing itself through love.”  As you feel for the Feeley family, show them the love of Christ in their time of need.

by Jay Mankus