Tag Archives: strengths

A Beautiful Place to Beg

Posted on September 20, 2015 by expressyourself4him

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QGlTzH9xkXQ

According to an April 2015 study, 1.75 million Americans are homeless.  This stat doesn’t include the unemployed, hungry or those on the verge of losing their permanent shelter.  While its not ideal, some are forced to beg, creating card board signs, standing at busy intersections hoping for enough generosity and or pity to get through the day.

Now a man who was lame from birth was being carried to the temple gate called Beautiful, where he was put every day to beg from those going into the temple courts, Acts 3:2.

Prior to intersections, the poor would sit or stand at gates, where travelers walk in and out of large cities.  The disciples had their own encounters with beggars and leave it to Peter to provide an unusual yet powerful message.  Beginning with a bit of sarcasm, likely in response to his wardrobe, “do you see what I’m wearing?”  Unable to offer money, Peter offers this crippled beggar a slice of the supernatural.

So the man gave them his attention, expecting to get something from them.  Then Peter said, “Silver or gold I do not have, but what I do have I give you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, walk,” Acts 3:5-6.

Reaching out to or relating to the poor is not one of my strengths.  Yet, when I’ve tasted poverty, I was able to see the other side, walking in the steps of the helpless.  If or when you arrive, don’t be ashamed for in your weakness Christ is strong.  In fact, Jesus told his followers on a few occasions, “you don’t have because you haven’t asked.”  Therefore, the next tell you call out to the Lord in prayer, remember, this is a beautiful place to beg.

by Jay Mankus

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On the Other Side of the Street

Posted on February 11, 2014 by expressyourself4him

One of the cliches I heard way too often growing up was, “if the shoe fits wear it.”  I’m still not exactly sure where this phrase originated or what it’s intended purpose served, yet I have learned to distinguish my strengths from my weaknesses over time.  When it comes to death, dying, injuries and wheelchairs, I’m at a loss, leaving me uncomfortable and unqualified to handle these environments.

Perhaps, this may explain why God forced me to visit the other side of the street last week.  When you reach a certain age, suffer a debilitating  injury or endure an accident, these individuals all share something in common, they are helpless.  As you enter this arena, self sufficiency is no longer an option with souls needing another person to help them up, take their hand and nurture them back to health.  Normally a quick healer, this is mostly foreign to me except for a few broken bones here and a surgery there.

In biblical times, there were no nursing homes or retirement centers to spend your final years on earth.  Your destiny was determined by your family, their generosity and wealth necessary to provide affordable care.  As the modern family dissolves into some type of dysfunctional reality television show, its no wonder that the amount of beggars and homeless continue to increase, showing up at most busy intersections where I live.  Abandoned by their families, friends and employers, these desperate people are like prodigal sons and daughters waiting for their father to welcome them back home.  Until this day, those living on the other side of the street which need prayers, support and a helping hand to get them back on the road to recovery.

by Jay Mankus

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Expiration Date

Posted on October 25, 2013 by expressyourself4him

Beginning in the summer of 2005, I was under the gun, forced to complete the requirements for my teaching certification if I wanted to keep my job at a local high school.  Once I had finished the initial steps, jumping through all of the hoops, I was expected to reapply every 2 years.  The only hurdle I had to endure was a graduate level Methods course during the odd numbered years.  Thus, I took 3 classes over 6 summers, where I needed to incorporate the principles of each subject into my current curriculum.  Prior to submitting my final paper, I had to give an honest assessment of my strengths and weaknesses.  This report served as a guide, fine tuning my classroom management skills as well as providing cutting edge ideas to assess students.

 

The occupation of teaching is unlike any job I have had before.  There is an emotional connection with students, especially those whom you see traces of yourself in them.  When you leave the property, you are still working, talking to parents at sporting events, calling back others about concerns or responding to emails about a question on an upcoming assignment.  Instead of clocking in and out, teaching is non-stop for 9 months.  However, in the summer your work is never done as classes change, curriculum needs to be updated and material is constantly in a state of flux.  Despite being one of the most rewarding positions I have ever held, its by far the most draining, a perfect cure for those struggling to fall asleep.

 

Nonetheless, on October 31st, 2013, Halloween Night, my teaching certification will finally expire.  Part of me hoped something would come up, opening a new door so I didn’t throw away 10 years of experience.  However, the realist in me saw the writing on my financial wall, unable to support a family on a Private School’s teaching salary.  If life is a set of stages, at the end of this month I will exit stage left like Bugs Bunny in an episode years ago, using my abilities in a new arena at Amazon.  As for now, all I can do is apply the principles of Romans 12:1-2, expecting God’s will for my life to come into clear focus.  Before time runs out on your current position or status, make sure you take a deep breath, reflecting upon the words of Philippians 3:8-9.

by Jay Mankus

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Barriers to Living a Normal Life

Posted on December 30, 2012 by expressyourself4him

Whether someone wants to admit it or not, every individual has 3 distinct aspects to their life.  According to Dr. Ed Murphy, not the comedian, each person has strengths, limitations and flaws.  These strengths can include gifts, intelligence, personality and special talents.  However, when you allow these positive attributes to go to your head, pride can negate or derail any hopes of living a normal life.  As soon as a spirit of haughtiness enters your soul, your mind can balloon to disproportionate heights, creating a wall of separation between you and most of your true friends.

Meanwhile, limitations are created within you by God to prompt you to learn how to work as a team with other people, 1 Corinthians 12:12-26.  If you have ever seen an episode of the reality television show Survivor, a few leader type personalities usually clash, attempting to gain control over the entire tribe.  While the followers in the group get behind the person who least offends them, communication barriers are built within a day or 2 of their arrival.  This friction often gnaws away any glimmers of faith or trust within the tribe, creating a dysfunctional living atmosphere from the outset.

Finally, each male and female born onto this earth has a unique collection of flaws.  These weak areas of the flesh are where individuals are most vulnerable to the temptations of the Devil.  One may be easily seduced by sex, another is prone to drink themselves into oblivion, some may allow curiosity to lead them to experiment with drugs and still others let envy influence them to steal.  Whenever you feed these sinful desires, isolation impedes any progress you have made to quench these urges.  Like a monster inside of you, these flaws cripple your ability to have stable meaningful relationships in life.

Despite the power these barriers have on hindering your ability to have a normal life, there is hope and answers to break through to the other side.  First, you need to come to grips with who you are and why you were created?  According to the Old Testament, God created each person to praise Him, Psalm 150:6.  In addition, 2 Corinthians 5:21 contains a clue to our identity in Christ.  Once this connection is made and embraced, people can begin to keep in step with the Holy Spirit, Galatians 5:25.  As you begin to take steps of faith, the Bible provides light for our feet, to guide the way toward good decision making, Psalm 119:105.  When darkness sets in along the narrow path of life, Matthew 7:14, become an active participant so that those going in the wrong direction can be stopped before its too late.  The harvest is plenty, but the workers are few, Matthew 9:36-38, so get involved in 2013!

by Jay Mankus

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