Tag Archives: travel

Rocky Road

Posted on August 7, 2014 by expressyourself4him

On the way to see the wizard, Dorothy, Toto and the cast of misfits she picked up on the way to Oz didn’t always have a smooth journey.  The scarecrow, tinman and lion all had major flaws, but the company they provided on the yellow brick road was worth the risk.  Alone, Dorothy would have not been able to overcome the rocky road that the wicked witch brought forth.  Together, working as a team this motley crew, defeated the enemy, setting the witches servants free.

In life, I wish you could travel from point A to point B without any obstacles.  However, each day has its own set of detours, pot holes and road blocks.  One day you have a teaching job, the next day you don’t.  Others have seen marriage vanish before their eyes.  Meanwhile,  accidents, tragedy and illness ends the life of some way too soon.  Essentially, life is a rocky road with twists and turns that no one other than God can foresee.

Subsequently, the Bible warns its readers of the nightmares that greet individuals, James 1:2-4.  Although some suffer more than others, trials come in various shape and sizes.  Perhaps, as unfortunate events enter one’s life, faith and trust increases, forcing believers to climb, crawl or walk along a narrowing path, Matthew 7:14.  Looking back over the past 5 years, I thank God for the rocky road that I’ve endured.  As a disciple once said, “sometimes you have to go through fire to be refined for future endeavors,” 1 Peter 1:6-7.  May the rocky roads that you’ve encountered prepare you for future blessings in God’s time, Ecclesiastes 3:11

by Jay Mankus

Leave a comment

Posted in truth and tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , . Bookmark the permalink.

A Place That Will Change Your Life Forever

Posted on January 25, 2014 by expressyourself4him

On earth, travel agencies will try to convince clients of a sweet deal, hidden gem or destination that will change your life.  As spring approaches, television commercials will display eye popping images as states hope your summer plans include a family vacation to one their resorts.  While memories can be forever etched into your mind, the thought of work quickly snaps individuals back to reality, ending any memorable getaway.

From a spiritual perspective, people may recall the place they got baptized, the church they were married in or a retreat center where they met God for the first time.  Inside a sanctuary, family’s tend to gravitate toward their favorite pew, stare at magnificent stain glass windows or recall taking their first communion.  According to Exodus 29:37, the altar made for the Tent of Meeting possessed supernatural powers, making those priests who touched it holy.  While not the Tent of Meeting, the altar at a church in Friendship, Maryland changed my life forever.

During my senior year of college, I was asked to serve on a Lay Witness Mission team for a church seeking to revive its congregation.  My role was to be a small group leader for the youth group and its college students, sharing how God had made a difference in my life.  Usually, one of the leaders was asked to share part of their faith journey, a snapshot of their life.  On Saturday night, our leader Ken told me that I would be speaking to the entire congregation Sunday morning.  Caught off guard, my initial instinct was fear, pondering, “how can someone who stutters speak for 15 minutes?”

Subsequently, I was led to pray, asking the Holy Spirit and my roommate to clue me in on what God wanted me to say to several hundred strangers.  Tossing and turning, I was reminded of a song that I brought, called The Altar.  Studying the lyrics in my mind, a vision for my first sermon was conceived, drifting me off into a peaceful sleep.  As I made my closing remarks, I gave an altar call, inviting anyone who was touched by the Holy Spirit to come to the altar while I played Ray Boltz’s song.

To my amazement, one college student literally ran to the altar as soon as the song began.  Others quickly, followed, filling up the semi-circle shaped altar in front of the pulpit.  When the music ended, people were standing in line, waiting to kneel at the altar.  Elders and leaders of the church began to lay hands on those crying, quietly whispering words up to heaven on their behalf.  As I joined the congregation following my message, the senior pastor shared a few words, summarizing these amazing events of this 3 day event, encouraging people to continue lay their burdens up to Jesus at the altar, Matthew 11:28.  On earth, there are countless wonders of the world, but for me, I will never forget this day when lives were changed forever at the altar.

by Jay Mankus

Leave a comment

Posted in Uncategorized and tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , . Bookmark the permalink.

In Your Own Backyard

Posted on December 30, 2013 by expressyourself4him

The older adults tend to get, the more complex they make life.  In the early years of imaginations, dreaming of becoming a doctor, firefighter and inventor, kids were encouraged to think big.  Sure, any goal requires discipline and hard work, but vision provides a sense of direction for individuals to aim or shoot for in life.  This is where I began my journey toward success.

These images never included my own back yard, community or neighborhood.  This was too narrow and small, lacking a grand design.  Thus, I pursued opportunities across state lines, throughout the nation and for a few weeks, to Canada to attempt to play professional golf.  Through the ups and downs and the peaks and valleys, God has brought me full circle to my own back yard to begin 2014.

In the PAX television series Hope Island, Cameron Daddo played a pastor of a small church, running away from a dark past and a father he could never please.  In the season finale, Cameron’s father, a famous evangelist similar to Billy Graham, invites him to join the ministry team and one day take over the ministry.  Excited by the offer, Daddo is torn between leaving a legacy or serving his congregation in his own backyard.  His answer is found in the attached you tube.

As for me, long gone are the days of becoming famous or attaining national recognition.  Rather, I feel called by the Holy Spirit to be a loving husband, a little league coach in Newark and support my children in their endeavors.  This reality may not come close to the fame encountered during countless goal setting sessions, yet for 2014 its where I need to be.  While students will be touched to feed starving people in 3rd world nations, there are plenty of places to start today to help others in your own backyard.

by Jay Mankus

Leave a comment

Posted in Uncategorized and tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , . Bookmark the permalink.

Look to Him, Not to Us

Posted on February 26, 2013 by expressyourself4him

When you are young, its easy to take for granted the places you visit and family vacations you experience.  As an adult, I am learning to appreciate each special opportunity the Lord grants me, one day at a time.  This morning I awoke early, before the crack of dawn, reminiscing about some of the greatest worship moments I have ever encountered.

Singing One Bread, One Body prior to communion at my first Walk to Emmaus weekend still gives me goosebumps.  The Community gatherings at Willow Creek in Chicago I attended every Wednesday night for a year combined immaculate worship with the teaching of John Ortberg.  The rock concert at The Church of the Open Door in Minnesota during my youth ministry trade school in the Twin Cities gave me an idea of the intensity one must bring to fully worship God.  However, this past weekend while visiting Vineyard Christian Fellowship on Appleton Road in Landenburg, Pennsylvania, I felt as if I was in the presence of the most high.

Psalm 100:1 was the inspiration behind the song Shout to the Lord.  The following verse, Psalm 100:2 calls people to make a joyful noise.  However, there is a temptation for worship leaders to think, “look at me, don’t I have a great voice?”  As a karaoke enthusiast, I spent several summer evenings in college hanging out with friends at a local night club, often singing 4 songs prior to leaving.  When you were good, the crowd went crazy following your last line.  If you weren’t, like me, I felt like a professional golfer receiving a subtle clap of applause.  My high point of Karaoke came at the 1995 Canadian P.G.A. Tour Qualifying School on Vancouver Island hosted by Morningstar Golf Club.

After a poor opening round, shooting in the 80’s, I went to a local sports bar in Nanaimo to drown my sorrows.  Since most singers were distracted by the NHL playoffs, plastered on a dozen televisions, volunteers for Karaoke were slim.  Instead of drinking, I used singing as a vehicle for healing.  To my surprise, I nailed Can’t Fight This Feeling by REO Speedwagon, actually hitting every note on cue.  As I handed my microphone off, the place erupted.  Thinking the Canucks, Vancouver’s professional hockey team, had just scored a goal, I turned to the nearest set to see what I just missed, trying to catch a replay.  To my amazement, the audience was cheering for me, praising me for my performance.

The message God placed on my heart over and over this morning is “Look to Him, not to us!”  Since I haven’t had much success singing, the temptation to steal credit from God isn’t there.  However, there are other areas, venues in which I have stolen the limelight from the Lord.  David reminds us in Psalm 16:2 that apart from God we can do nothing.  Therefore, whether you are leading worship for your church, fulfilling the duties of your occupation or fanning into flame your spiritual gift, look to Jesus for strength, 2 Corinthians 12:9.  By demonstrating biblical principle, other  people will start looking to Him, not to us, 1 Thessalonians 4:11-12.

by Jay Mankus

8 Comments

Posted in Uncategorized and tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , . Bookmark the permalink.

Stop Complaining, Write Down Your Requests and Pray!

Posted on February 12, 2013 by expressyourself4him

The prophet Habakkuk felt alone, as if God had abandoned him.  Upset by a lack of answers, Habakkuk cries out to God, not in prayer, but with complaints.  Not satisfied with God’s initial response in Habakkuk 1:5-11, he continues to vent his frustrations.  Feeling self righteous, Habakkuk completes his words in chapter 2, verse 1, as if God is to blame for his current circumstance.

God’s reply is classic.  Sometimes in life, we expect God to do everything, including read our minds.  Thus, Habakkuk 2:2-3 contains God’s call to action which applies to anyone who has ever prayed to God before.  If your prayer’s aren’t being answered, maybe the problem lies in your own indecision, not sure what you really what in life.  Therefore, stop complaining and start to write down everything you desire, Psalm 37:4.

As for me, I seek a sense of community, similar to what I experienced during the early days at Red Lion.  Second, I want to use my God given talents to counsel, educate and train individuals so that they will be successful in life.  Finally, I want to travel, interact with people from other parts of the country and enjoy each moment I spend outside.  I am not sure if this exact position exists, but I am beginning my quest today, believing prayer is the key to push aside any current barriers.  I encourage others to join me by stop complaining out loud, write down the desires of your heart and pray for God’s favor and will.  Enjoy the ride!

by Jay Mankus

1 Comment

Posted in Uncategorized and tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , . Bookmark the permalink.

Polar Opposites

Posted on December 28, 2012 by expressyourself4him

When you travel the country like I did during the 1990’s, you become exposed to various cultures, expressions and traditions.  As I pursued my dreams by following my heart, God led me to nearly one hundred different churches that I attended here and there.  One met in a house, another in a barn, some met in gymnasiums and schools and the most impressive had its own little city.  However, what I soon discovered, their biblical messages were polar opposites.

On one extreme, I heard remnants from the Fire and Brimstone sermons of the 1970’s.  These churches still believed that all dancing and music was from the devil.  Pastor’s preached about burning any idol from your past, severing relationships with all non-Christians and do everything humanly possible to escape the gates of hell.  This view of the Bible eliminates personality and the ability an outgoing person can have on reaching out to lost souls like the apostle Paul in the book of Acts.  Meanwhile, this perspective emphasizes the Old Testament nature of God’s judgment by diminishing the love of Jesus in the New Testament.  In a sense, this is just one side of the story.

On the other side of the aisle, I was introduced to the prosperity gospel.  This theological position merely stresses the positives of God, neglecting any reference to failure, setback or trial.  I quickly found that this rosey picture of life professed by pastors from their pulpits did not exist in my world.  When I gave money in the offering plate, I didn’t receive back one hundred or one thousand fold like a few television evangelist promised.  In addition, their altar call message, “just come to Jesus and everything will go well for you” was hallow.  It’s no wonder that when Ghandi was alive he once said, “I like your Christ, but I don’t like your Christians.”

Unfortunately, these 2 polar opposites miss the mark of properly explaining the message of the gospel.  This good news or good tidings, depending upon your translation of the Bible, can be condensed by a few verses like Romans 5:8.  The baby Jesus fulfilled His purpose by dying for sinners.  John 3:16 provides the answer to how people should respond to Jesus’ sacrifice.  Finally, Galatians 5:6 narrows down life to own thing, “faith expressing itself through the love of Jesus.”  As you travel down the bumpy road called life, test everything you hear in church with the Bible, 1 Thessalonians 5:21-22 so that you can stay along the Equator, in the center of God’s will!

by Jay Mankus

Leave a comment

Posted in Uncategorized and tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , . Bookmark the permalink.
←
Newer Posts →