Tag Archives: Revolutionary War

The History of Faith

Posted on October 17, 2015 by expressyourself4him

History is one of those topics in school that is often neglected.  However, there are moments in time when a student can retrace history which helps make things click.  If you live on the East Coast, remains from the Revolutionary or Civil War are close, possibly a stones throw away.  As for me, I live less than a mile from a famous battle which turned the tide in the Revolutionary War.  Although obscure to many, traveling over this bridge daily can unlock the history to America’s faith.

To this he replied: “Brothers and fathers, listen to me! The God of glory appeared to our father Abraham while he was still in Mesopotamia, before he lived in Harran, Acts 7:3.

Prior to Acts 7, important religious information was left to spiritual forefathers, prophets, kings of Israel, Jesus or one of the 12 disciples.  Perhaps, the average person felt left out, not one of God’s chosen people.  Yet, beginning in Acts 7, the history of faith is conveyed by a relative outsider.  This new voice provides a brief glimpse of how Jews and Christians are linked together by a history of faithful leaders.

“You stiff-necked people! Your hearts and ears are still uncircumcised. You are just like your ancestors: You always resist the Holy Spirit!” – Acts 7:51 

In view of Stephen’s speech to Jewish leaders, I wish Americans would begin to retrace their own history of faith.  Political correctness and revisionist historians are trying to hide the spiritual foundation of America’s forefathers.  Just as government officials in the first century were resistant to change, stubborn hearts are preventing many from seeing the truth.  Maybe adults need to take their children on local field trips to a nearby museum or historical site so that the history of faith will be unveiled to those currently grasping at straws.

by Jay Mankus

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Pump Up The Volume

Posted on October 27, 2014 by expressyourself4him

For the meek, shy and soft spoken, its easy to allow others to walk all over you.  Although, the silent majority once ruled the roost, the brash, power hungry and rude have shouted down Americans toward their ideology and worldview.  Subsequently, atheists,  lawyers and politicians have redefined the rules, pumping up the volume of their talking points.

In the aftermath of this stampede, foundations have been cracked and principles weakened, leaving historians scratching their heads.  When England began to limit their citizens to worship God in one church, the Magna Carta was conceived, leading the way for colonists to set sail for a new land.  This excitement stoked a passion in the founders, pumping out the volume to remind people of the reason each crossed the Atlantic.

When Patrick Henry stood up to naysayers at the Virginia Convention in 1775, he spoke out of the overflow of his heart, crying out for freedom.  “Give me liberty or give me death,” swayed those who were on the fence, paving the way for  the Revolutionary War.  If the United States of America has any hopes of surviving, there needs to be a spiritual revival so that God’s blessing will not removed permanently.  As you cope with today’s grim reality, may the Holy Spirit inspire you to pump up the volume, Acts 4:29, to ignite a movement to win back our moral compass.

by Jay Mankus

 

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Blazing A New Trail in 2013

Posted on January 2, 2013 by expressyourself4him

Pencader, Glasgow, St. Georges, Chritiana, Delaware State Atlas 1868

A few years ago, my 2 sons James and Daniel, went through a mountain bike phase.  To encourage this new interest as a father, I began to invest an hour a day riding bikes with my boys after school.  Over a period of 6 months, the 3 of us discovered several miles of trails surrounding our development in Newark, formerly known as Purgatory Swamp during the Revolutionary War.

The main trail was clear and worn down by ATV’s, local residents walking their dogs and fellow bike riders.  Popular side trails were still intact with a couple of overgrown areas in need of pruning and trimming, a good project for a long weekend.  The deeper we explored into the thick forests and swampy conditions, we discovered a dozen other paths that faded away, hidden by fallen debris, exotic overgrown sticker bushes and piles of trash left by teenagers.

Like a Lewis and Clark expedition or Land of the Lost television series, my crew investigated these ruins for 2 years, mainly during the summer.  We unearthed an ancient shooting range, paths to no where vanishing into thin air and an inner chain of short cuts connecting the outer loop by 2 distinct inner section of trails.  Left for dead by a generation of young people addicted to cell phones, game systems and the internet, we revived as many paths as we could for future voyagers to enjoy.  Today, these meandering walkways are marked with spray paint every half mile forming 2 cross country courses of 2.1 and 3.1 miles.  While fads come and go, the path to heaven remains a constant, Matthew 7:13-14.

With 2013 fresh in people’s minds, its time to blaze a new trail.  Whether its in Delaware, another state in America or another country, the time is now to act.  My days of sulking are over with a new adventure, career and opportunity waiting for me and my family.  Like the classic Steven Curtis Chapman album The Great Adventure, its time to “Saddle Up Your Horses!”  As you begin your own journey in 2013, don’t forget the words of the prophet in Hosea 4:6, “people perish without knowledge and vision!”  Get plugged into the Holy Spirit, Titus 3:4-5 so that you will be able to endure any obstacles 2013 throws at you!  “Go with God and He will go with you,” Mark Lowry.

by Jay Mankus

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