Tag Archives: soul

Learning to Celebrate the Present

Posted on October 21, 2013 by expressyourself4him
 The spirit of envy has a way of convincing individuals that their life doesn’t measure up to others.  When compared to this co-worker, that neighbor and everyone’s favorite relative, your life disappoints, leaving depression which hovers over the human soul.  Instead of finding contentment in the life you are living, jealousy urges people to turn their eyes toward the other side of the fence where the grass always seems greener.

 

Yesterday, I attended a wedding of a friend I had done some work for in the past year.  Since I had to work my current job leading up to the afternoon ceremony, I didn’t have any expectations.  Rather, I came with an open mind, free from any preconceived judgments or stereotypes.  I was there to simply support my friend and wife to be.  As a result, my heart was fertile, ready to receive the message of the pastor.

Stage view photo in the Cascade Room.

Before the exchange of vows,  a 5 minute sermonette explained why this couple stood at the altar.  Entitled A Witness to Christian Marriage, these words were profound, convicting me of the life I had been living.  Over the last 3 years, I have glorified my past, bypassed the present and hoped for a brighter future.  In the malaise of my unemployment, I neglected to celebrate the present.  Thanks to this amazing invocation, God has inspired me to be thankful for my past, embrace the future and learn to celebrate the here and now of life!

by Jay Mankus

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Hold Yourself Together

Posted on October 20, 2013 by expressyourself4him

 

Before comedy movies like Airplane used satire to elevate stress, the phrase “hold yourself together” has been a battle cry to help people overcome trying times in life.  However, when the world around you is falling apart, how can any soul pretend as if nothing is wrong?  Maybe this is why the scene below makes a mockery out of someone who has lost control of their emotions.

Modern dramas have a new message, one of hope and self-determination with a fairy tale ending unless of course their show get’s cancelled mid-season.  The opposite sex is used as a carrot at the end of a stick, motivation to hold yourself together.  Science fiction, the afterlife and an allure of the dark side have created series like the Vampire Dairies.  Tyler Ward’s song puts a new spin on the familiar expression, “Keep Yourself Together.”

From a spiritual point of you, holding yourself together is impossible.  While the world may call followers of Jesus weak, he is the crutch which props believers up, Matthew 11:28-30.  Sure, faith inspires action, James 2:26, but Jesus is the glue that ultimately holds people together.  Despite resembling cracked vases composed of clay, Jesus is the only substitute which makes people whole, 2 Corinthians 4:7-10.  If you want a permanent solution, Jesus is the answer, John 14:6.

by Jay Mankus

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Isolated Showers

Posted on October 17, 2013 by expressyourself4him

 From a meteorology perspective, weather systems can stall on occasion, creating isolated showers in the same location for hours or in a worst cause scenario for days at a time.  This phenomena is known as a stationary front, where a boundary is formed between two air masses neither of which replaces the other.  Whenever a weather system travels less than 6 miles per hour, its deemed to be stationary.  Unique wind conditions makes this possible as the north side of a stationary front move in a East to West direction.  Meanwhile, on the southern edge, winds reverse, moving from West to East.

 

According to a September 15th article in the U.S.A. Today, experts are blaming an unusually strong ridge of high pressure parked over Western Canada for the deadly flooding in the Boulder region of Colorado.  Over one month later, hundreds of people are still unaccounted for, likely washed away in the torrent rapids flowing down the Rocky Mountains.  This natural disaster has conjured up memories of the Big Thompson flash flood of 1976 where 144 were killed just north of Boulder.  Those who believe in God often struggle to make sense of these storms, wrestling for answers to grasp why.

 

Although every geographic area does not encounter the same natural disasters, all regions experience isolated showers.  Literal storms can bring lightning, thunder and heavy rains.  Spiritual storms offer a different challenge, testing your faith, patience and soul.  While people can seek shelter for isolated showers, life’s trials are often unexpected, resulting in an invisible tsunami attempting to wipe you out spiritually.  It’s not if these isolated showers will occur, but when.  Therefore, when a spiritual stationary front knocks on your door, arm yourself with the words of Jesus in Matthew 7:24-27.

by Jay Mankus

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Don’t Take It Personally

Posted on October 13, 2013 by expressyourself4him

verbal abuse photo: EMPLOYEE ABUSE employment-verbal-abuse.jpg

In an ideal setting, everyone would love to be admired, cherished and highly valued.  However, in a fallen world, with individuals daily carrying around dirty laundry and excess baggage, receiving a desired response is unlikely.  Therefore, if an act of kindness, gentle reply or word of encouragement goes unnoticed, don’t take it personally.  According to Exodus 7:3, sometimes God will harden a person’s heart, preventing individuals from being civil.

When Jesus first sent off his disciples in Matthew 10, taking off their preverbal training wheels, he tries to prepare these 12 men for what to expect in life.  Beginning in Matthew 10:17-23, you could probably hear a pin drop, likely caught off guard by the hatred Jesus predicted.  Maybe this is where Judas Iscariot began to get cold feet, thinking to himself, “I didn’t sign up for this!”  I guess you can assume Jesus is trying to separate the followers from leaders, using a similar strong message in Luke 14:25-27 to narrow down his core group.

Unfortunately, the old saying of “sticks and stones will break my bones, but names will never hurt me” is a lie.  When I taught, I could have a dozen compliments from faculty and students, yet that one negative email from a parent is what I thought about, erasing all the good I received earlier in the day.  Criticism, harsh comments and tasteless remarks can get under your skin, leaving a heart torn in two.  When words feel like knife wounds, verbally poisoning your soul, take your burden to the Lord, Matthew 11:28.  May the words of Psalm 34:18-19 help you not to take future replies personally.

by Jay Mankus

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By the Sweat of Your Brow

Posted on October 3, 2013 by expressyourself4him

 

The poor have said, “the rich have won life’s lottery!”  Meanwhile, the middle class are waiting for their big break, a chance for the world to recognize their talents.  On the other hand, the wealthy are trying to keep up with the Joneses, working harder than ever to buy their next show piece.

Whether you are wrestling with poverty, keeping your head above debt or living on cloud 9, everyone makes their living by the sweat of their brow.  Since original sin entered mankind in Genesis 3:17-19, God made life as we know it hard.  Gone are the days of milk and honey, evaporating in a promised land turned to sand.  Like the humidity of a summer sun sapping all your strength, the worries of life can wilt any soul not prepared for unexpected trials.

As I was doing my final touches of yard work before the growing season ends, I was reminded of God’s words in Genesis 3:19.  Yes, even the invincible will experience kryptonite at some point.  This will paralyze your ability to save yourself, leading to the grave, to become like the dust that God formed Adam out of.  In view of this bleak destiny, its vital to make plans for the afterlife, John 14:3.  Therefore, while you have time to breathe, take note of God’s promise in 1 John 5:13-15.  Inquire before you expire.

by Jay Mankus

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One On One

Posted on September 28, 2013 by expressyourself4him

 

According to a 2012 article at The Week Magazine, Friedhelm Hillebrand is credited with the initial concept of texting.  In 1984 Hillebrand recognized most of the information he wanted to convey could be condensed to 160 characters, serving as the limit for early text messages.  Eight years later, Neil Papworth sent a good friend the first SMS message to express “Merry Christmas.”  Since this pioneer revolutionized the way people communicate 21 years ago, society has never been the same.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=lkpWk8FJsys

Today, young people prefer to use their fingers than pick up the phone.  In fact, to avoid confrontation, adults now use Facebook, texting or Twitter to replace face to face encounters.  Though texting is a convenient and efficient means of communication, it should be no way replace one on one conversations.  God designed human beings to be relational creatures, interacting with one another.  However, I am afraid that future technology will continue to disconnect individuals from forming permanent meaningful lasting relationships.

Like most Monday mornings, I drove to Star Bucks to meet a close friend and former colleague.  While not every conversation is life altering, there is something special about sharing your burdens, good news and relating past events to current situations.  Pouring out my soul and spilling my guts has established a tight bond of fellowship, rare in the fast paced life style on the East Coast.  If you ever feel like you’re missing something, void of a missing ingredient, its probably because you don’t have enough one on one conversations.  Reach out today to a friend from the past or present, making room on your calender, to connect with another soul one on one.

by Jay Mankus

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The Hunger Pains

Posted on September 26, 2013 by expressyourself4him

 

In the 2012 movie sensation, The Hunger Games features an annual made for television competition for 24 contestants ranging from 12-18 years of age.  If chosen, a boy and girl represent one of 12 districts in the nation of Panem.  These select few are taken to the Capitol for training before taking part in this fight to the death event, with only one survivor.  Set in a futuristic North America, the Hunger Games serve as punishment for a previous rebellion and to control future attempts.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=4S9a5V9ODuY

In the spiritual world, there is a similar game, To Obey or Not to Obey.  Many individuals suffer from a grass is greener on the other side disillusion.  Not satisfied with their own gifts, life and talents, people hunger for a new identity, hoping the emptiness inside their hearts goes away.  Subsequently, a growing number of participants wander down the highway to hell, Matthew 7:13, unaware of the destruction awaiting each soul.

Over the past few months, my hunger for writing has eased up, resulting in a lower audience at Express Yourself 4Him and fewer readers.  This loss of appetite correlates with a decreasing time of reflecting on the Bible.  Whenever I partake in a full course meal of Bible study, prayer and worship, my hunger pains for the world subsides.  Yet, the more I neglect my spiritual condition, these desires for the world multiple.  Therefore, be careful what you wish for or you might find your heart on the wrong side of the fence, Matthew 6:21-23.

by Jay Mankus

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Awakening the Soul

Posted on September 23, 2013 by expressyourself4him

The word wake refers to 3 different aspects in life.  The first relates to emerging from a state of sleep.  The second is an act, participating in a vigil, pouring out your soul to expedite the process of healing of a dead family member, friend or loved one.  Finally, wake are turbulent waves following the passing of a large vessel on water.  Inside the pages of Genesis 50, lies an event which awakens the soul.

While there may be ancient books that refer to a wake, I believe Genesis 50:10-11 contains a glimpse of the first documented religious ceremony.  Following a mass funeral procession from Egypt to Canaan to bury Jacob with his ancestors, Joseph stops along the banks of the Jordan River.  According to Moses, Joseph observed a 7 day mourning period for his father, lamenting and weeping, crying out to express his bitterness to God over losing his dad.  Observing from a distance, the Canaanites were so moved by Joseph’s display of emotions that they named this site “Abel Mizraim,” meaning a solemn ceremony of mourning.

I find that many men hide their true feelings, trying to be cool or adhere to the world’s belief, real men don’t cry.  Others sweep their emotions under a proverbial rug, deadening their soul.  Though I am by no means an expert in this area, I get the sense the Bible is urging individuals to “let it all hang out.”  After a good cry, I tend to be rejuvenated by practicing this form of releasing the burdens deep inside your heart.  If you have been holding back tears, maybe, just maybe, you need a waterfall of emotions to awaken your soul.  May the promise of Psalm 34:18 be fulfilled this day!

by Jay Mankus

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To Be Somebody

Posted on September 15, 2013 by expressyourself4him

American sitcoms feed on a hidden desire within the human soul, everyone wants to be somebody.  This sense of desperation often causes young people to force the issue, pretending to be someone on television rather than come to grips with reality.  As a result, immaturity extends into the twenty somethings, seeking approval instead of developing the person inside.

The group Thousand Foot Krutch sings about this topic in their song Be Somebody, appearing on their 2012 album The End is Where We Begin.   These lyrics indirectly mention the  apostle Paul’s image of a boy looking into a mirror, hoping to grow out of childish ways, 1 Corinthians 13:11-12.  Like anything in life, change takes time, especially if ignorance, peer pressure or rebellion lead you down a path you didn’t want to follow.

The Bible provides an alternative road for those who seek a greater meaning and higher purpose in life.  Psalm 1:1-3 paints a picture of an evergreen tree, staying green year long, not changing colors like a chameleon to blend into their environment.  Jesus offers a fresh start, John 8:10-11, as long as you are willing to leave your life of sin.  If you truly want a legacy, to be somebody beyond your wildest imagination, your first step is to become born again, John 3:3-5.  The choice is yours.

by Jay Mankus

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The Conservative Conscience

Posted on September 6, 2013 by expressyourself4him

Conservative refers to holding firmly to traditional values.  From an American perspective, this means adhering to the biblical principles which the United States of America was founded upon.  Meanwhile, a conscience is an inner feeling or voice in your mind, serving to guide one’s behavior in the right direction.  Thus, the conservative conscience was designed by God, implanted within each soul, to impart prudence, temperance and fortitude to individuals.

An example of the conservative conscience is found in Genesis 42:21-23.  Reuben, the oldest of Joseph’s 11 brothers is steered away from blaming God for his trial.  Instead, Reuben’s conscience convicts him of throwing Joseph into an empty well, faking his death and lying to his father, by placing goat’s blood all over the special rob Jacob made for Joseph.  As long as a spirit of compromise does not enter your body, this conservative conscience is available to all human beings.

Unfortunately, the conscience has been under attack for more than 50 years in America.  Atheists convinced educators that God did not belong in public schools during the 1960’s.  Abortion made killing a children inside a mother’s womb legal in the early 70’s.  The Home Box Office brought nationwide cable television into homes by the 80’s.  Little by little, compromise by compromise, lie by lie, the conservative nature of the conscience has been lost.  Without many Reuben like role models, society has forgotten why the conscience exists.  May God has mercy on us, turn us back toward the Holy Spirit and rejuvenate the conservative conscience!

by Jay Mankus

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