Tag Archives: problem solving

Compare and Pride Spreads Fast

For if anyone thinks he is something, when he is nothing, he deceives himself. – Galatians 6:3

As English classes increase in difficulty, students will eventually be introduced to compare and contrast papers.  The purpose of these essays involves emphasizing the differences of two topics, highlighting dissimilar entities, objects or traits.  This exercise enables individuals to examine, evaluate and develop necessary problem solving skills in life.

Whoever belittles his neighbor lacks sense, but a man of understanding remains silent. – Proverbs 11:12

Outside of the classroom, its not uncommon for adults and youth to compare themselves to others.  This often occurs to help build up one’s self-esteem by choosing lesser souls in their comparison.  Subsequently, instead of striving to improve one’s own life, people would rather attack and or tear down others to improve their own situation.  If these comparisons continue, pride will spread like gangrene, poisoning the hearts and minds within society.

You, therefore, have no excuse, you who pass judgment on someone else, for at whatever point you judge another, you are condemning yourself, because you who pass judgment do the same things. – Romans 2:1

Christians aren’t exempt from this temptation, with a long history of falling prey to this desire.  The apostle Paul calls out first century believers for passing judgment on the low lifes of their day.  Since no one is perfect, Romans 3:9-12, there aren’t any who are able or worthy to throw the first stone, John 8:10-11.  Therefore, before a spirit of pride runs rampant across America and throughout the world, these comparisons must cease, replaced by humble hearts which seek God first.

by Jay Mankus

 

Where Do We Go Now?

 

In recent years, great advancements have been made in business, medicine and technology.  Self help books, the internet and you tube videos have helped make life a little easier than in previous centuries.  However, these new resources have also crippled the human mind, replacing hard work, research and time with a click of a mouse.  The art of problem solving, trouble shooting and preventative maintenance have been replaced by computer and phone apps, calling on others to do what families once did on their own.

So where do we go from here?  Should culture continue on its current hi-tech / hi-touch path or will common sense take over, clearing hidden paths, left and forgotten by overgrown brush?  If this decision is put off, another crossroad will intersect at some point down the road, offering another choice for change.  In the movie the Patriot starring Mel Gibson, there is a touching scene between father and daughter.  Not wanting to see her father to die like an older brother, Susan begs him to stay.  Unfortunately, there are times one must face battles, giants or wars before you can resume a normal life.

If your life is anything like mine, I often find myself living the movie Castaway, standing at a 4 way stop, not sure where to make the next turn.  Each choice that is made, Deuteronomy 30:15-16, either moves you closer or farther from where you really want to go.  For a while, each will provide flashes of brilliance and possibly pleasure, yet in the end only one road leads to satisfaction, Psalm 34:4-8.  May we find each other there one day.

by Jay Mankus

Here We Go Again

In a recent blog, I referenced Abram as the mastermind behind the first indecent proposal.  Genesis 12:15 suggests Sarai was taken to be the wife of Pharaoh.  This was such a bad idea that just 4 chapters later in Genesis 16:1-2, Sarai requests a role reversal.  Whenever individuals rely on their own logic instead of God’s guidance, they start sliding down the slippery slope of sin.  So here we go again, committing the same act as before.

One of the things I have learned from being married nearly 20 years is sometimes woman want to verbalize their feelings.  Upon hearing their spouse, men on the other hand, want to fix or problem solve.  Therefore, when Sarai shares her idea with Abram, you can make an assumption that she is simply clearing the air about how she felt when forced to wed Pharaoh.  Instead of further discussing this matter, Abram appears too willing to volunteer, jumping into action.  Like modern premarital arrangements, couples often take the plunge without contemplating how compromise affects the human soul.  God said, “let the two become one” Genesis 2:24, not uniting three with one.  The apostle Paul addresses this in 1 Corinthians 6:12-20 in case anyone forgot about Hagar.

God initially made life on earth easy with only one rule to adhere to, Genesis 2:16-17.  However, Eve got curious, Adam fell asleep on the job and neither took responsibility for their decision.  Here we go again as mankind continues to relive the same mistakes of the past.  In the game of life, all God truly desires is obedience, but Satan in Genesis 3:1 plants a seed of doubt within the human mind, “did God really say that?”  Each time you fall short of God’s glory, Romans 3:23, it’s like Adam or Eve in the garden all over again.  Don’t pull a Hagar by quickly giving into temptation.  Rather, watch out for any harmful cycle or sinful pattern that may currently exist.  If you’re not careful, you might be the next one to say, “here we go again!”

by Jay Mankus

What’s Missing From this Picture?

Regardless of how intelligent or talented you are, everyone goes through periods of slumps, where you are not as productive as usual.  The baseball player can’t get buy a hit.  The running back can’t seem to hold on to the ball anymore.  The jump shooter turns into a brick layer and the goalie treats each opponent like its Christmas.  Likewise, the doctor struggles to diagnose a cold, the engineer wrestles to find a quick solution and the teacher babbles away period after period.  When these circumstances find you, what’s the missing answer, ingredient or piece to your dilemma?

Deep within the pages of the Bible, I think I have unearthed a principle that might just be the missing link.  In Acts 16:22-24, Paul, Silas and Luke find themselves in an awkward predicament, imprisoned for freeing a slave girl.  Instead of arguing, bickering and complaining, somehow they are led to fulfill the words of Psalm 150.  Embracing their situation, Paul and Silas begin a worship service in prison.  This spirit of praise moves God to unleash a violent earthquake, likely 6.0 or higher on the Richter scale.  This natural disaster opens a door for ministry, setting the scene for a spiritual breakthrough.

From a personal perspective, I think I have become too worldly to experience a Pauline like miracle.  However, if I dedicated myself to fasting, prayer and worship, opportunities to share my faith would be plentiful.  Like losing weight, the only remaining question is, do you have the discipline and will power to change.  The apostle Paul went to extreme measures to insure a Christ-like behavior in 1 Corinthians 9:24-27.  Therefore, if a slump resides in your soul, struggling to find meaning and purpose in life, why not apply Psalm 150:6.  Maybe this is the only thing preventing you from getting over the hump.  May this be the last piece you are searching for.

by Jay Mankus