Tag Archives: slow down

Explaining the Unexplainable

Posted on October 21, 2019 by expressyourself4him

My favorite author as a teenager was Daniel Cohen.  Most of Cohen’s books coincide with unsolved mysteries.  The television series In Search Of which ran from 1977-1982 examined mysterious phenomenas.  This fascination continued with Unsolved Mysteries which ran for a decade into the 1990’s.  Today, this traditional programming continues with the History Channel’s version the Unexplained.

The fear of you and the dread of you shall be upon every beast of the earth and upon every bird of the heavens, upon everything that creeps on the ground and all the fish of the sea. Into your hand they are delivered. Every moving thing that lives shall be food for you. And as I gave you the green plants, I give you everything, Genesis 9:2-3.

Unfortunately, over the past 40 years, topics such as Big Foot, the Loch Ness Monster and Abominable Snowman still remain a mystery.  These creatures of the night are more legend, a figment of our imagination rather than reality.  During a recent binge of the Unexplained, I came across a new mystery, the Mongolian Death Worm.  Sure, the name sounds strange for a worm, but this crypto that resides underneath the Gobi Desert inspired Tremors, a 1990 film starring Kevin Bacon.  However, until an actual body is caught or carcass found, this creature will remain fiction until facts prove it’s existence.

“But ask the beasts, and they will teach you; the birds of the heavens, and they will tell you; or the bushes of the earth, and they will teach you; and the fish of the sea will declare to you. Who among all these does not know that the hand of the Lord has done this? In his hand is the life of every living thing and the breath of all mankind,” Job 12:7-10.

Based upon the passage above, God has all the answers.  Unfortunately, most people don’t take the time to listen or slow down enough to reflect upon God’s creation.  Those who birdwatch, fish or sightsee have the advantage of taking in the heavens and the earth.  While there will always be unexplainable events and questions that you will have to wait until heaven to be answered, take the advice of the Psalmist.  “Be still before the Lord, Psalm 46:10.”

by Jay Mankus

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Escaping a Head Down Eyes Straight Ahead Mentality

Posted on March 3, 2018 by expressyourself4him

When you work in a building with two thousand people, you are bound to encounter an unpleasant conversation.  If you keep your head up, you might have a flashback of high school as you dodge people in a crowded hallway, with some not paying attention to those around them.  To avoid awkward situations, some may choose to keep their heads down, fixated on what lies ahead.  Unfortunately, this decision will cause individuals to miss out on opportunities to serve others.

Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says. 23 Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like someone who looks at his face in a mirror 24 and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like. 25 But whoever looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues in it—not forgetting what they have heard, but doing it—they will be blessed in what they do, James 1:22-25.

The author of the book of James was Jesus’ younger brother.  Since the Bible has an 18 year time gap between Jesus’ bar-mitz-vah and the beginning of his earthly ministry, we don’t know much about their relationship.  However, Mark 3:20-35 unveils a shocking comment from members of Jesus’ family with James a likely unnamed source.  After healing a demon possessed man, Jesus is accused of being mentally ill, using Satanic powers to drive out demons.  This type of judgement comes from a head down, eyes straight ahead mentality.  This mindset prevents individuals from recognizing the power of God at work in the lives of faithful servants.

Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God, Hebrews 12:1-2.

Part of the passage above written by James serves as a confession.  James was immature, going through the motions without putting the Bible into practice.  At some point, James was convicted of his head down, eyes straight ahead life style.  The author of Hebrews provides the cure for this condition.  Using an analogy of a marathon, this advice encourages believers to run with perseverance, fixing your eyes on Jesus throughout the race called life.  As the Holy Spirit transforms your perspective, the Lord will begin to help you see that distractions are opportunities to serve God.  May this blog inspire you to slow down, look around and see how God can use you to serve others daily.

by Jay Mankus

 

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Too Many Vehicles to Pull Over

Posted on June 25, 2016 by expressyourself4him

My house lies a quarter of a mile from Interstate 95 in northern Delaware.  Residing in the I-95 corridor, an hour north of Baltimore and hour south of Philadelphia, I regularly travel this busy highway.  In recent trips, its seems like the average speed now exceeds the 65 limit by nearly 20 miles per hour.  Thus, police officers are often faced with the dilemma of too many vehicles to pull over.

But mark this: There will be terrible times in the last days, 2 Timothy 3:1.

Perhaps this aggression is a sign of end times.  The apostle Paul receives a vision, a glimpse of the moral decline within society.  As this culture leaves absolutes for politically correct stances, selfish individuals will continue to commit transgressions against innocent citizens.  Subsequently, road rage is causing impatient drivers to take their frustrations out on anyone who infringes upon their lane or space.

People will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, proud, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, 2 Timothy 3:2.

There was a time when driving was a leisure activity, exploring back roads for fun over the weekend.  Yet, as a growing number of people are in a hurry, friction leads some to explode emotionally.  While there are many prophecies that still need to be fulfilled before the end of days arrives, recent acts of terrorism suggest this isn’t too far off.  Before this occurs, may those struggling to make sense of our fallen world slow down enough so that police won’t be overwhelmed with too many vehicles to pull over.

by Jay Mankus

 

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Those Were the Days

Posted on October 6, 2014 by expressyourself4him

Over the weekend, I got off the Exit called Reflection.  Trying to avoid an eat, sleep, work and repeat the same cycle over again mentality, I pulled off to take a breather, camping in the mountains with my daughter.  Subsequently, I was able to slow down enough to take my spiritual pulse.  Laying back in the wilderness, thoughts began to flood my mind.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hJ6Ax3oSThQ

Healed from most of the scars from losing my teaching position to a new management group, God allowed me to see positive images from my past.  Similar to the theme song from All in the Family, the Lord brought to recall memories that made me think, those were the days.  Skipping my planning period to partake in a gym class with juniors and seniors, participating in school fundraisers like Donkey Basketball, Dodgeball, Golf Megaathon & Volleyball and developing an Ultimate Frisbee class will always hold a special place in my heart.

Although, you and I may not be exactly where we want to be currently, there’s still time to change course.  Perhaps you need to pull over, take a break or spend time reflecting.  You can start by reading Philippians 4:8; then apply this principle like a scene from Polyanna, playing the good game.  If this exercise can become a habit or daily routine, you may reach a point in time when you can honesty say, “those were the days!”

by Jay Mankus

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Forgotten Commandments

Posted on July 19, 2014 by expressyourself4him

History has a habit of uncovering relics from the past.  Caves hid the Dead Sea Scrolls until 1946 when 981 texts written in Aramaic, Greek and Hebrews were discovered over a 10 year period.  However, there are always things in plain sight which get overlooked, neglected by those too busy to slow down.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lunaZQltWGY

As I opened Leviticus 19 today, I stumbled upon an expanded version of the 10 commandments.  Although some of the passages are subtle reminders, God conveys to Moses the whys to keeping decrees and laws.  These biblical nuggets offer common sense, direction and a foundation for faith.  Nonetheless, unless you accept and practice these precepts, you will be vulnerable to straying off course.

There are several reasons why commandments are forgotten.  First, the Bible offends those comfortable with how they are living, reluctant to change.  Second, people don’t like to be told that they are wrong, especially if there are eternal consequences.  Third, since truth has become relative, everyone has their own take on right and wrong.  In the end, Leviticus 19 serves as a wake up call, to alert those sleep walking through life.  May the words of Scripture breathe life into sleepy, tired and weary souls.

by Jay Mankus

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Moment to Moment

Posted on April 4, 2013 by expressyourself4him

When you reach a certain age, time seems to reach warp speed.  If you blink, you might miss a week, month or year.  Thus, as I approach the big 50, I need to slow down, living moment to moment.

As a high school student, back in the Glory Days, I possessed a vibrant spirit, embracing each second with friends or enjoying special events.  However, along the journey of life, I’ve lost my youthful exuberance.  Instead of cherishing and savoring memories, I’ve turned into a grumpy old man who has lost his joy for living.

From a biblical perspective, all I can do is to develop a James 4:13-15 mindset.  My inner child longs for the days of old, living care free, without any concern or worry for tomorrow.  While change won’t happen over night, I am seeking to revive my soul by living moment to moment!

by Jay Mankus

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