Tag Archives: vision

A Sign of Goodness

Posted on May 8, 2013 by expressyourself4him

Hindsight can change your perspective on the past, giving you a thorough understanding of the events in your life.  On the other hand, obstacles, setbacks and unforeseen trials can blur your vision for the future, resulting in bleak expectations.  When optimism is replaced by a spirit of doubt, its time to seek divine intervention.

Known for many things, King David had become empowered by his own prayer life.  This man of God was not afraid to express his concerns to the Living God.  Fed up by the prosperity of the wicked, David turned his attention to God’s miracles of the past.  Thus, within Psalm 86:17, he pleads with God to receive a sign of goodness.

The better you know someone, the more risks you begin to take, asking deeper and more personal questions.  Whether it was his years in the wilderness as a shepherd or a close relationship with a spiritual mentor not mentioned in the Bible, David knew the true nature of God.  His prayers within the book of Psalms are powerful outlines, a wealth of knowledge for anyone looking to find answers in life.

Therefore, don’t accept mediocrity in your spiritual life.  Though you won’t be able to fully discern the mind of God as Job tried to do, signs of goodness are awaiting.  The apostle Paul speaks of these things in a passage to the church in Ephesus, Ephesians 2:10.  Instead of turning into Oscar the Grouch, release your burdens upward, pouring your heart and soul in prayer to the giver of life, James 1:17.

by Jay Mankus

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The Nuances of Nihilism

Posted on January 28, 2013 by expressyourself4him

Historians credit the Age of Enlightenment, a period of the 17th and 18th centuries, for introducing nihilism to America.  Nihilism is a total rejection of social morals, believing that nothing in society is worthwhile.  Slipped under the covers through comedy acts, cartoons and sitcoms, naive minds have been convinced by nihilistic propaganda that objective truth no longer exists.  Thus, the nuances of nihilism is near completion, successfully shaping the worldviews of one generation to believe established authority is corrupt and must be destroyed to rebuild a just nation.

On the other hand, I believe nihilism was conceived during the Renaissance, spanning from the 14th-17th centuries.  Christian educators claim the painting entitled The School of Athens by Raphael Sanzio between 1509-1510 served as a theological turning point.  This piece contains 2 of Greece’s greatest philosophers, Aristotle and Socrates.  Christian’s interpret this painting as a transition from the belief truth comes from God above toward a realization truth comes from within.  John Calvin’s theology was inspired by the Holy Spirit to combat this age filled with humanism, naturalism and rationalism.

With an end goal of eliminating God’s existence, atheists and agnostics continue following in the footsteps of Friedrich Nietzsche who boldly proclaimed, “God is dead!”  As the boob tube, social media and college elite drive home their message daily, most Christians are sleep walking through life, disengaged from this spiritual war.  Yet, there are a few still up to this cultural challenge.  Music groups like The Newsboys are carrying the torch against nihilism with their God’s Not Dead tour in 2011-2012.  However, its going to take a radical effort, covered in prayer and led by vision, to take back the lost ground from the nuances nihilism has established.

by Jay Mankus

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Transforming Your Perspective

Posted on November 7, 2012 by expressyourself4him

The 1989 classic Field of Dreams illustrates that perspective is everything as Ray Kinsella played by Kevin Cosner risks his reputation, finances and home to follow an irrational vision of building a baseball field in the middle of his Iowa cornfield.  Throughout this film, Ray acts on faith, traveling throughout the country, listening to a voice, periodic whispers which serve as clues to accomplish his dream.  When only Terence Mann, played by James Earl Jones, is allowed to experience what goes on beyond center, where baseball greats from the past disappear, Ray’s perspective changes.  This selfishness brings out a “what’s in it for me mentally,” the same message God has been teaching me about this week.

Over this past weekend, I began 2 new jobs, a part time position as a consultant trying to help people save money and the other, a full time position to help pay monthly bills.  My motivation for serving as a consultant is based upon a vision of reducing an organization’s bottom line, providing a free service with the hopes of obtaining refunds to these same business’ and help a dear friend, Joe Feeley Sr., raise enough money to create a foundation to minister and provide for families who have a child battling cancer.  This vision, like Ray’s Kinsella’s baseball field, is easy to do since I am motivated to make this dream a reality.

On the other hand, the first day at my full time job, working the graveyard shift didn’t go as I expected.  The expectations I had going in were drastically different from what I initially experienced.  Thus, like ray Kinsella, I asked the question, “what’s in it for me Lord, why do you want me here?”  Last night, through a series of events, God spoke directly to me through books, people and circumstances, illuminating the reason why the Lord has placed me in this company, to impact others.  All the disappointment and humility from my first night was replaced by meaningful conversations, a clear vision and a transformed perspective.  As soon as you can remove a what’s in it for me attitude, God can show you through the power of the Holy Spirit his good, pleasing and perfect will, Romans 12:1-2.

by Jay Mankus

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