Tag Archives: rugged individualism

God Hears Your Voice

Posted on April 15, 2023 by expressyourself4him

When I first began my faith journey on December 4th, 1983, my prayer life can be best described as babbling out loud to God. Whenever anyone lives for themselves for the first 14 years of their lives, it takes time to learn how to live according to a new set of rules. Subsequently, praying to an invisible God felt like I was talking to myself. It wasn’t until college as I matured spiritually when I believed and sensed that God heard my cries for help.

When the water in the bottle was all gone, Hagar caused the youth to lie down under one of the shrubs. 16 Then she went and sat down opposite him a good way off, about a bowshot, for she said, Let me not see the death of the lad. And as she sat down opposite him, [d]he lifted up his voice and wept and she raised her voice and wept. 17 And God heard the voice of the youth, and the angel of God called to Hagar out of heaven and said to her, What troubles you, Hagar? Fear not, for God has heard the voice of the youth where he is, Genesis 21:15-17.

Unfortunately, human nature and concepts like rugged individualism leads many people to trust in their own abilities. God is usually placed on the back burner until desperation results in calling out to the Lord as a last resort. This is the context of the passage above as Hagar comes to the conclusion that her baby boy is going to die. Homeless, dehydrated and left to fend for themselves in the middle of a desert, Hagar weeps in prayer.

The face of the Lord is against those who do evil, to cut off the remembrance of them from the earth. 17 When the righteous cry for help, the Lord hears, and delivers them out of all their distress and troubles. 18 The Lord is close to those who are of a broken heart and saves such as are crushed with sorrow for sin and are humbly and thoroughly penitent, Psalm 34:16-18.

Hagar’s answered prayer reminds me of God’s promise in the passage above. As for the righteous part from the Psalmist, Isaiah 1:15-20 uses snow in connection with confession. Those who fully repent of their mistakes to God are forgiven like the righteous. Therefore, whenever anyone pours out their heart in prayer like Hagar, can be assured that God does hear your voice.

by Jay Mankus

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Trusting in God…Not Government

Posted on March 28, 2023 by expressyourself4him

The past half decade has seen a drastic change in mentality from the days of John F. Kennedy. The Democratic Party has evolved from “what can you do for the government to becoming dependent upon the government to meet your daily needs. Rather than follow in the footsteps of rugged individualism, modern political leaders have convinced many Americans that the government will provide for your daily needs.

Make haste and take refuge there, for I cannot do anything until you arrive there. Therefore the name of the city was called Zoar [little]. 23 The sun had risen over the earth when Lot entered Zoar, Genesis 19:22-23.

The context of the passage above occurs after God reveals to Lot that Sodom and Gomorrah will be destroyed. Since God promised Abraham his nephew Lot would be spared, there’s only one thing left to do. One of two angels tries to urge Lot to develop a sense of urgency. Until Lot reaches the agreed upon location, the city of Zoar, God can’t do anything.

But seek ([z]aim at and strive after) first of all His kingdom and His righteousness ([aa]His way of doing and being right), and then all these things [ab]taken together will be given you besides. 34 So do not worry or be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will have worries and anxieties of its own. Sufficient for each day is its own trouble, Matthew 6:33-34.

Jesus provides insight into trusting God in the passage above. While many children are taught you have to make things happen in life, Jesus points to the spiritual solution. Blessings come in the form of daily bread: meeting all your spoken and unspoken needs in life. While it’s tempting to receive free money in the form of government handouts, pursue God and His righteousness so you’ll learn to trust Jesus, not government.

by Jay Mankus

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Those Without A Voice

Posted on September 10, 2016 by expressyourself4him

Ever since Colin Kaepernick decided to sit down during the National Anthem a few weeks ago, his stance has taken on a life of itself.  Despite wearing socks that depicted cops as pigs, the liberal media covered for Colin, quickly sweeping this matter under the rug.  Meanwhile, the average hard working and law abiding citizen has been forgotten, left without a voice.

But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you, John 14:26.

The immigrant whose life long desire of owning their own business, the entrepreneur studying the latest trends and God fearing parents trying to start a family typically remain out of the limelight.  Regardless of the roadblocks each face, rugged individualism guide these goal oriented people.  Although success may not be obtained on the first attempt, the hope of the American dream keep many individuals going.

Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words, Romans 8:26.

If you feel left out, forgotten by your country and media, there is One who can intercede on your behalf.  When you reach a crossroads, not sure where to turn, the Holy Spirit is on call waiting for your prayer.  To those who believe in a risen Messiah, this invisible presence stands tall in the darkness of life.  Therefore, if you are on the verge of giving up or throwing in the towel, make sure you cry out to the great I Am; then, you will have a place in eternity.

by Jay Mankus

 

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Anal or Apathetic?

Posted on September 11, 2014 by expressyourself4him

There was in time in American history when most of its’ citizens would cross their i’s and dot their t’s.  This was considered normal, a byproduct of rugged individualism.  Unfortunately, those days have passed, leaving 2 extremes on either side of the spectrum: anal or apathetic.

Someone who is anal tends to be meticulous, a stickler for the rules, paying close attention to details.  A negative connotation of anal are individuals who are OCD, suffering from obsessive compulsive disorder.  Meanwhile,  those who seem disinterested, emotionless or half-hearted are associated with apathy.  Thus, there is a growing generation of people who either care too much or are tuning out society, lukewarm at best about life.

Jesus wasn’t a fan of politics, but he did speak out and against religious leaders who allowed ideology to trump God’s Word.  Essentially, the anal are similar to self-righteous souls who look down at the flaws, mistakes and sinners around them without looking at themselves in the mirror.  Whereas the apathetic realize their condition, yet like the prodigal son, most keep on going down a path toward destruction.  Whether you are anal, apathetic or somewhere in between, may the parable of the Two Sons in Matthew 21:28-32 straighten you out to develop a Christ like life.

by Jay Mankus

 

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