Tag Archives: Psalms

Engaging Our Culture: April 22-Finding a Spiritual Caddie to Guide You Through Life

Video of the Day: Clip from the 2005 movie “The Greatest Game Ever Played”

Bible Verse of the Day:

I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you with my loving eye on you.Do not be like the horse or the mule, which have no understanding but must be controlled by bit and bridle or they will not come to you, Psalm 32:8-9.

Biblical Connection:

Before golf was nationally televised, events would occur during the week when most caddies were in school. According to the film, Francis Ouimet’s original caddie was caught trying to skip school on the day the 1913 United States Open began. With all of the other top caddies scooped up by players from all over the country, Francis was left with a little boy named Eddie. Despite his small stature, Eddie possessed confidence and encouragement to guide Francis through his round.

Today’s verse is a Psalm of David, a person an Old Testament prophet referred to as a man after God’s own heart, 1 Samuel 16:7. As a young shepherd boy, David learned to place his trust in the Lord, surrounded by wolves seeking to attack his flock at night. During King Saul’s reign, David developed a close relationship with Jonathon, Saul’s son. Jonathon provided inside information to warn David of his father’s plans to take his life. Jonathon served as David’s spiritual caddie.

Closing Song:

My high school swim coach served as my spiritual mentor. After graduating, I often stopped by his house in college, seeking spiritual guidance for my life. Ken became my spiritual caddie, preparing me for life after college. Without his advice and encouragement, I wouldn’t be grounded in my faith.

by Jay Mankus

Engaging Our Culture: March 16-Coping with an Unexpected Death

Video of the Day: Clip from E:60 featuring college basketball greats “Remembering Hank Gathers”

Bible Verse of the Day:

“Show me, Lord, my life’s end and the number of my days; let me know how fleeting my life is. You have made my days a mere handbreadth; the span of my years is as nothing before you. Everyone is but a breath, even those who seem secure,” Psalm 39:4-5.

Biblical Connection:

To college basketball fans, today is known as Selection Sunday. Sixty-eight teams will be invited to a tournament which commences March Madness beginning Tuesday evening. Every year a Cinderella team appears out of nowhere, becoming the darling of this year’s tournament. Unfortunately, when their magical run comes to an end, most of these players and teams are forgotten. Today’s clip honors Hank Gathers who died unexpectedly in the prime of his life.

Today’s passage is a Psalm of David, inspired by his struggle after being disciplined by God in 2 Samuel 12:7-12. This punishment includes the death of a new son born by Bathsheba. As a young, gifted basketball, Hank Gathers was destined to become a star in the National Basketball Association. Yet, when diagnosed with a heart condition, Hank was putting his life in jeopardy. Subsequently, the living should remember the words of James 4:14 as tomorrow isn’t guaranteed.

Closing Song:

Human beings tend to grieve in different ways. Kenny Marks sings about an individual who hid his pain. As I speak to teenagers each month at church, the more you verbalize your pain, the sooner healing will arrive. Yet, coping with an unexpected death might take years to recover. As you wrestle and wait for answers, remember the words of David and James.

by Jay Mankus

A Year 4 Transformation: Day 43-Developing a Heart of Worship

Passage of the Day:

Come, let us sing for joy to the Lord; let us shout aloud to the Rock of our salvation. Let us come before him with thanksgiving and extol him with music and song. For the Lord is the great God,  the great King above all gods. In his hand are the depths of the earth, and the mountain peaks belong to him. The sea is his, for he made it, and his hands formed the dry land. Come, let us bow down in worship, let us kneel before the Lord our Maker; Psalm 95:1-6.

Reflection:

Parents have a tendency to focus on the negative rather than emphasize the position. Subsequently, after spending a week on conditions of the heart, the rest of February will challenge you to deepen your relationship with God. Growing up, worship is something that you simply did at church on Sundays. However, many Psalms encourage followers to worship the Lord daily on your knees. When you add today’s technology with music available on your computers and phone, developing a heart of worship is only a click away.

Prayerful Action:

For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. 12 Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. 13 You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart, ” Jeremiah 29:11-13.

Restoring Your Heart:

Human minds can recall the lyrics of one of your favorite songs in an instant. I can be walking through a grocery store or at a mall, and the sound of a song suddenly triggers memories of where you were and who you were with when this song first debuted. The same can be true with Christian music. While living in Delaware, I was introduced to Soaking in the Spirit, a room dedicated to playing worship music 24 hours a day. The more you slow down, reflect upon the lyrics and soak in the spiritual meaning of each song, the closer you’ll come to developing a heart of worship.

Song of the Day:

Final Thoughts:

If you truly want to develop a heart of worship in 2024, take the advice of the apostle Paul in Colossians 3:16. “Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts.”

by Jay Mankus

Stopping to Take a Deep Breathe

The idiom “taking a deep breathe” refers to pausing for a moment to calm and compose yourself. If you work in a stressful environment like me, taking a personal day or vacation is essential to prevent emotional or physical burnout from occurring. Removing yourself from deadlines, hectic circumstances and pressure for a while is good for your own mental health.

“Be still and know (recognize, understand) that I am God. I will be exalted among the nations! I will be exalted in the earth,” Psalm 46:10.

One of the Psalms of the Bible is entitled God the Refuge His people. This chapter is dedicated to the chief musician. The sons of Korah wrote this song, Psalm 46, set to soprano voices. The end of this piece contains one of the most famous and quoted stanzas of the Bible. When disappointment, hardships or trials begin to stress you out, the Psalmist urges believers to slow down by being still before God.

The Lord of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our stronghold [our refuge, our high tower], Psalm 46:11.

No matter how many friends or relationships you may have, there will always be at least one moment in time where no one will know what to say to you. When comfort can not be found by human means, the Lord is always available. Thus, when you reach a point of despair, stop to take a deep breathe. As you do, pour out your heart to God in prayer so that Selah is achieved, a peace that surpasses all understanding.

by Jay Mankus

Developing An Attitude of Gratitude

As Christmas Day draws near yet again, it appears the Grinch Who Stole Christmas isn’t just a Dr. Suess classic.  Rather, a lack of thanksgiving is turning hearts once full of joy into Ebenezer Scrooge.  While 24 hours of Christmas music attempts to put people into the Christmas spirit, demons whispering Bah Humbug are drowning out carolers in the streets.

Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord’s will is.  Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit,  Ephesians 5:17-18.

I’m not sure the initial reason, but a song writer felt called to create a piece entitled the Twelve Days of Christmas.  Perhaps, modern times need a composition to prepare souls to celebrate the birth of Emmanuel, God with us.  If Thanksgiving Day is used properly, this celebration could kick start the 12 Days of Thanksgiving, enabling a spirit of thanks to be transformed into an attitude of gratitude.

Speaking to one another with psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit. Sing and make music from your heart to the Lord, always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, Ephesians 5:19-20.

The apostle Paul provides a blue print for this evolution in a letter to the church at Ephesus.  The ungrateful tend to drown their sorrows in alcohol.  Meanwhile, the expense of gift giving can steal your joy for this special season.  To avoid this common fate, turn bitterness into praise by humming Christmas classics.  As this is practiced daily, perspectives slowly change from self-gratification toward a heart of service.  If you want to change for the better, start keeping a journal of reasons to be thankful.  When healthy practices become a habit, an attitude of gratitude will be established.

by Jay Mankus

40 Years of Anger

Most books written throughout history contain a clear author.   On the other hand, the Psalms of the Bible are comprised of multiple authors.  Besides Asaph, David and the sons of Korah, a few chapters do not contain a subscribed author.  Such is the case of Psalm 95 which unveils God’s 40 years of anger, Psalm 95:10 and the closing of mankind’s porthole to God, Psalm 95:11.

In view of this information, Moses would be a likely candidate, who regularly spoke with the Lord face to face on Mount Sinai.  Following 400 years of slavery in Egypt, God performed several miracles known as the 10 plagues through Aaron and Moses, Exodus 7-11.  Expecting Israel to be more grateful, not even the parting of the Red Sea would sway their hearts.  Instead, they repaid God by breaking the first and second commandment, Exodus 32:1-14.

This act of blatant disobedience ignited the Lord’s 40 years of angry.  A journey that should have taken less than a month, resulted in 40 years of punishment, wandering back and forth through a desert for 40 years.  The book of Exodus serves as a warning today for whiners and complainers.  Yes, its true that life is not fair at times.  However, if you encounter hardships in the future, perhaps God is using events to bring you back where He wants you to be.  By embracing this perspective, you will steer clear of God’s wrath.

by Jay Mankus

Why Losses Outweigh the Victories in Life

Earlier today, I began to feel like Job, pondering when my recent streak of trials will end.  While attending a friend’s concert this evening, enjoying the Raymond Lee Band, I sensed an answer coming from the Holy Spirit.  If victories out numbered losses, individuals would not learn essential life lessons.  Therefore, God allows losses to outweigh victories in life so that humility produces teachable moments.

As I read the book of Psalms, it appears King David does more complaining than celebrating.  In the tough times. people are forced into a corner, revealing their true character.  Behind the sadness and tears, rough circumstances leads troubled souls to trust in the Lord.  Without failure. you don’t truly appreciate the good things in life.

Perhaps, this is the main message of James 1:2-4.  After the storms of life fade from the horizon, souls are left to pick up the pieces.   Subsequently, wisdom is gained through maturity and perseverance.  Winning is nice, but sometimes victory hides flaws and imperfections.  Thus, the Lord places losses in life more than victories so that Jesus’ power might be displayed in our weaknesses, 2 Corinthians 12:9.

by Jay Mankus

Look to Him, Not to Us

When you are young, its easy to take for granted the places you visit and family vacations you experience.  As an adult, I am learning to appreciate each special opportunity the Lord grants me, one day at a time.  This morning I awoke early, before the crack of dawn, reminiscing about some of the greatest worship moments I have ever encountered.

Singing One Bread, One Body prior to communion at my first Walk to Emmaus weekend still gives me goosebumps.  The Community gatherings at Willow Creek in Chicago I attended every Wednesday night for a year combined immaculate worship with the teaching of John Ortberg.  The rock concert at The Church of the Open Door in Minnesota during my youth ministry trade school in the Twin Cities gave me an idea of the intensity one must bring to fully worship God.  However, this past weekend while visiting Vineyard Christian Fellowship on Appleton Road in Landenburg, Pennsylvania, I felt as if I was in the presence of the most high.

Psalm 100:1 was the inspiration behind the song Shout to the Lord.  The following verse, Psalm 100:2 calls people to make a joyful noise.  However, there is a temptation for worship leaders to think, “look at me, don’t I have a great voice?”  As a karaoke enthusiast, I spent several summer evenings in college hanging out with friends at a local night club, often singing 4 songs prior to leaving.  When you were good, the crowd went crazy following your last line.  If you weren’t, like me, I felt like a professional golfer receiving a subtle clap of applause.  My high point of Karaoke came at the 1995 Canadian P.G.A. Tour Qualifying School on Vancouver Island hosted by Morningstar Golf Club.

After a poor opening round, shooting in the 80’s, I went to a local sports bar in Nanaimo to drown my sorrows.  Since most singers were distracted by the NHL playoffs, plastered on a dozen televisions, volunteers for Karaoke were slim.  Instead of drinking, I used singing as a vehicle for healing.  To my surprise, I nailed Can’t Fight This Feeling by REO Speedwagon, actually hitting every note on cue.  As I handed my microphone off, the place erupted.  Thinking the Canucks, Vancouver’s professional hockey team, had just scored a goal, I turned to the nearest set to see what I just missed, trying to catch a replay.  To my amazement, the audience was cheering for me, praising me for my performance.

The message God placed on my heart over and over this morning is “Look to Him, not to us!”  Since I haven’t had much success singing, the temptation to steal credit from God isn’t there.  However, there are other areas, venues in which I have stolen the limelight from the Lord.  David reminds us in Psalm 16:2 that apart from God we can do nothing.  Therefore, whether you are leading worship for your church, fulfilling the duties of your occupation or fanning into flame your spiritual gift, look to Jesus for strength, 2 Corinthians 12:9.  By demonstrating biblical principle, other  people will start looking to Him, not to us, 1 Thessalonians 4:11-12.

by Jay Mankus

The Mystery of Fear

As a child, nightmares blanketed my thoughts as I tried to outrun Bigfoot throughout my neighborhood, escape the Boogie Man who was underneath my bed or reenact a scene from a Creature Double Feature that I had watched earlier in the day.  While awake, I became afraid of heights after visiting the Empire State Building and snakes during a few close calls where snakes slithered between my legs while cutting the grass in my backyard.  Adolescence brought with it a fear of rejection, especially by girls that added to my already fragile psyche.  Never did I once challenge fear; instead I ran away like a little girl, awestruck by this mystery.

Catholic hymns like Be Not Afraid conveyed a little hope to my soul, exposing this unnatural emotion.  In addition, hearing priests read from Proverbs and Psalms from the Bible produced a sense of peace to ease any remaining anxieties of fear.  Yet, in high school I wasn’t mature enough to ask intelligent theological questions.  On the other hand, the busyness of college prevented me from contemplating the unsolved mystery of fear.  The timing was not right for me to tackle this subject, put on hold for another time down the road toward Elm Street.

Like a scene from Back to the Future, God revealed the answer I was searching for as I opened up Proverbs 1.  According to Solomon, unlocking wisdom in life starts with a reverent fear of God.  The spirit of fear on earth uses apprehension, panic and trepidation to form a constant state of worry.  Biblical fear is the key for attaining the cardinal virtues of prudence, temperance, justice and fortitude, Proverbs 1:1-7.  These qualities are available to anyone according to C.S. Lewis in Mere Christianity.  However, this is only half the mystery.

The missing link and final piece of the puzzle is found in 1 John 4:18.  According to John, the disciple whom Jesus loved as a son, proclaims “perfect love drives out fear.”  The only obstacle to obtaining perfect love is sin.  C.S. Lewis states in his chapter entitled Theological Virtues, access is limited to just Christians.  This love comes from the power of the Holy Spirit mentioned in 2 Peter 1:3-4.  Therefore, if anyone seeks charity, hope and faith, you must come to Jesus, 1 Timothy 2:5.  The apostle Paul’s words in Philippians 4:4-7 gives a glimpse of what one can expect when the Holy Spirit helps you conquer the mystery of fear.  “Be Not Afraid!”

by Jay Mankus