Tag Archives: Tim Tebow

When True Love Waits…

Posted on September 19, 2015 by expressyourself4him

While Tim Tebow was a member of the Philadelphia Eagles during training camp this past summer, members of the media took their usually jabs at Tim’s flawed throwing motion.  Local talk radio went a little further, making fun at Tebow’s decision to hold off having sex until he’s married.  Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson has faced similar criticism after publicly vowing to let true love wait until his honeymoon.

We love because Jesus first loved us, 1 John 4:19.

When true love doesn’t wait words aren’t spoken out loud, yet mummers and whispers can be heard around most street corners.  Affairs, one night stands and single moms are left to think of what could have been, often stuck raising a child or several kids on their own.  A moment of lust, prolonged flirting or a late night rendezvous can leave of legacy of regret.  If only temptation could have been brushed aside by allowing true love to wait.

So now faith, hope, and love abide, these three; but the greatest of these is love, 1 Corinthians 13:13.

In these times, there are too many avenues which promote sex.  Advertisements, commercials and adult content once kept for after dark is now out in the open, just a click away from children’s eyes and ears.  As the traditional family fades, only a few brave souls remain outspoken, not ashamed of their religious stance.  With Tim and Russell setting good examples for young men to follow, perhaps a whole new generation will begin the quest to allow true love to wait.

by Jay Mankus

 

 

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Tebow Time

Posted on April 23, 2015 by expressyourself4him

One of the wisest kings to walk the face of the earth once said, “there is a time for everything.”  Sometime in the past month, the mind of Chip Kelly, head coach of the Philadelphia Eagles, decided his roster needed one more player prior to the start of this season’s first mini-camp.  Finalized last weekend, its officially Tim Tebow time in the city of brotherly love.

There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens, Ecclesiastes 3:1

Whenever you have a polarizing figure, the world of Twitter explodes with opinions on either side of the fence.  Since the Tebow signing, NFL experts have given their typical criticism, expecting Tim to fail before he evens starts this new journey.  While these commentators may be correct, time will be the ultimate judge.

God has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also set eternity in the human heart; yet no one can fathom what God has done from beginning to end, Ecclesiastes 3:11.

If individuals believed everything their peers told them, dreams would not exist.  Against all odds, the human will can elevate the unlikeliest characters to become the next Rudy Ruettiger, Vince Papale and Kurt Warner.  In my own pursuit of happiness, I’ve learned to reach for the stars and if you fail perhaps you might inspire someone else to do the same.  As for Tim Tebow, only the Lord knows what the future holds, but for now let Tim enjoy the next challenge in his life.

by Jay Mankus

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Too Many Gangsta Wanna Be’s

Posted on August 31, 2013 by expressyourself4him

During my first semester teaching in a private Christian school, less than 10 percent of my students were minorities.  Ten years later, roughly half of my students were either African Americans, Hispanic or from overseas, on exchange for a year.  As these cultures clashed with suburbia, I noticed a change in several students, mainly guys.  Trying to fit in, these teenagers began to emulate Ice Cube, 50 Cent, Eminem and 2Pac.  Instead of conforming to Christ, Romans 12:1-2, most ventured into the material world, wearing ball caps to the side, dressing like rap stars in videos and speaking broken English, slang, to sound cool.

Last night, I experienced my first public roller skating crowd since high school, escorting my daughter to her 9th birthday party at the local rink in town.  What I saw was much worse than anything I encountered in my classroom as a teacher.  As I stood to the side, talking pictures on my ipad of my daughter and her friends, a middle school girl gave me some advice.  “Be careful when you carry that Mister, there are some really mean people here!”  This was just a few minutes after people started skating, a clear indication that there are way too many gangsta wanna be’s in this upcoming generation.

In my final years of teaching, I attended a few seminars which addressed this issue of art imitating life, giving a biblical perspective of why some many young people are drawn to rap culture.  Leaders like Dr. Jeff Meyers and John Stonestreet have developed cutting edge curriculum, on the edge of societal evolution, available through Summit Ministries.  When people are humble, the media dismisses them as they bypass these individuals for the flamboyant, obnoxious or those who give great sound bites.  Or they take godly role models like Tim Tebow, over killing their coverage, causing the average fan to tune out, sick of the same message.  In this age, in a world that is falling apart morally, may father figures and influences like the movie Courageous change these gangster feelings before its too late.

by Jay Mankus

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The Land of Lost Love

Posted on January 27, 2013 by expressyourself4him

Pink Floyd once sang about what I feel in my heart today in their song Comfortably Numb.  The 4th stanza’s lyrics express the following: “There is no pain you are receding; A distant ship’s smoke on the horizon; You are only coming through in waves; Your lips move, But I can’t hear what you’re saying.”  My issue is not with words.  Rather, my concern is with a lack of action.  After reading Proverbs 17 this morning, I am left to question, where has all the love gone in America?

According to verse 9, anyone who covers over an offense promotes love.  Unfortunately, what I watch on television or experience in life is another story.  Reality Television series ratings seem to skyrocket when cursing, drama and fights are portrayed.  While a friend is suppose to love at all times, Proverbs 17:17, back stabbing, gossip and trash talking appear to sell, making Hollywood millions of dollars each year.  Meanwhile, family value shows are becoming extinct or cast off like Marshall, Will and Holly into the Land of the Lost.

The only kind of love I regularly see is eros, the Greek word for sensual or sexual love.  Every time I go to buy groceries, magazines surround the checkout counter, filling your mind with unwholesome thoughts if you’re not careful.  Philia, the Greek word for brotherly love pops its head up from time to time.  People like Tim Tebow, Bethany Hamilton and communities like Ocean City, New Jersey keep this kind of love alive.  However, agape, translated unconditional love is even vanishing from churches.  Grudges, power hungry individuals and unforgiveness is stripping Christianity from its main attraction.

Instead of living in a land of love, crushed spirits continue to reign, Proverbs 17:22.  In the absence of a cheerful heart, the medicine people seek is missing, awol, absent without love.  If there ever was a time for the fulfillment of Ezekiel 22:30, the time is now.  Who will stand in the gap of a unloving world and love the unlovable?  If someone doesn’t act quickly, we might all become comfortably numb.  Developing a Philippians 4:8-9 mindset is a good place to start.  The rest depends on how well people live out the Bible.  Choose agape love today!

by Jay Mankus

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Living in a No Absolutes Society

Posted on June 26, 2012 by expressyourself4him

An absolute means unequivocal, possessing unlimited power, to add emphasis or unmodified.  Unfortunately, this word is quickly disappearing from the American culture.  Absolutes are vanishing as lies, half truths and opinions have taken over the media, air waves and everyday conversations.

Meanwhile, facts are becoming obsolete like the type writer, record player and telephone booth.  Politicians are repeating the same lies day after day hoping if they say it enough people will believe them.  Sports radio celebrities critique anyone about everything without examining their own lives in a do as I say not as I do arena.  Finally, television shows continue to copy one another, slide down the same immoral slippery slope as bored viewers keep clicking their remotes from channel to channel trying to find something meaningful without much success.

Like in the days of the prophet Ezekiel, God is looking for people who will go against the societal flow, stand up for Christ by standing in the gap created by a lack of absolutes, Ezekiel 22:30.  The sad truth is Ezekiel could not find an Israelite who was willing to make a stand during his life.  What about now?  Who will rise out of the ashes of our fallen world and join Christians like Tim Tebow?  Time is ticking away.  Act now before its too late to save our country and its Christian heritage.

by Jay Mankus

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Ascribe to the Lord

Posted on May 20, 2012 by expressyourself4him

At the beginning of Psalm 29, David uses the phrase ascribe to the Lord twice.  The word ascribe means to assign, to give credit and to attribute.  While every person is talented in at least one area of life, having certain gifts, pride often leads people to take the credit for their own strengths.

Prior to becoming the king of Israel, people who were eyewitnesses to David’s act of bravery in 1 Samuel 17 began singing a song in 1 Samuel 18:7.  At any moment, David could have said, “look what I have done!”  Rather, this man with a heart after God, followed in the steps of humility, attributing this victory to the Lord.

Unfortunately, we live in a me-first world.  Today’s professional athletes care more about making ESPN‘s Top 10 Plays on Sports Center than their team.  Instead of ascribing to the Lord, they are trying to steal the spotlight by celebrating, to get noticed or build their portfolio for their next contract.  This country and world needs more people Tim Tebow’s and Brain Dawkins, who pause during their victories in life by ascribing to the Lord.

by Jay Mankus

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