There are many times in life where we battle our thoughts. Memories from the past come creeping back into our minds as words are spoken. We may have overcome a weakness only to have it resurface as a negative thought. It's almost as if voices are battling each other in our minds. Can we silence the negative, self defeating voices? Today's lesson at the Sunshine Rescue Mission Man Cave was about developing a strategy in our thought lives.
Here are the notes from today's Lesson.
           There are voices in our lives that can find their way into our heads if we let them.

• You must position yourself to hear from God.
• You must recognize His voice.
• You must know His vocabulary in the Bible.
• Satan or the devil will use his voice to destroy, deceive and discourage you.
• God’s voice will build you up, cheer you up and stir you up by bringing to the center of your mind the fruits of His Spirit that are within you.

           I want to speak to all of you as if you were a group of Pastors. A Pastor is one who serves and shepherds other people in the best practices of Christ-like behavior. Why? Because I believe in you. In a world of negative voices charging at us relentlessly, we must help encourage each other to boldly speak Truth.
 
What’s Lurking In The Halls of Your Mind?
Your thoughts have to listen when you speak. Speak positive life over negative thoughts.
Here is A Three Step Strategy Called “E-A-R” or "Embrace, Appraise Replace."
     1. EMBRACE - A Strategy To Make Decisions Ahead of Time           If you were in a room and someone yelled, "FIRE!" You would run! You already made the decision to run if there is ever a fire. Make the decision today that you will not allow negative thoughts to dwell in your mind. Martin Luther said, "Bad thoughts are like birds. They will land, but don't let them make a nest."           A good habit to practice is using the Power of Christ's Blood over any enemy attack that comes your way. "I plead the Blood of Jesus over my thoughts." Evil was defeated and washed away by the Blood of Christ.

• I won’t allow negative thoughts in my mind.
• I will decide ahead of time how to deal with negative thoughts.
• I will saturate my mind with the truths of God's Word as a shield against the lies of the enemy.

          "Today I have given you the choice between life and death, between blessings and curses. Now I call on heaven and earth to witness the choice you make. Oh, that you would choose life, so that you and your descendants might live!" Deuteronomy 30:19
     2. APPRAISE -What Value Do Your Thoughts Carry?  

• Your  thoughts, where do they lead you - into the dark or into the Light?
• What are their effects on your mood and your decisions?
• Do they cause you to embrace Truth or lies?
• Do they Embolden you to create greater Christ-like peace in your relationships?

          "Do not copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect." -Romans 12:2
 
     3. REPLACE BAD THOUGHTS with the Truth.

• Replace negativity with positivity.
• Positive thoughts only are spoken, negative thoughts make people feel broken.

          Why replace old habits and patterns? The past has a way of repeating itself if we don't find constructive ways of protecting thoughts. Old temptations can reappear and cause us to backslide away from the way God would have us live in ways that honor Him.
           “We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.” 2 Corinthians 10:5

          “Whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable — if anything is excellent or praiseworthy — think about such things.” Philippians 4:8

          "As someone thinks within himself, so he is." Proverbs 23:7

          "Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour." 1 Peter 5:8

          Thanks for your time. Go do something nice for somebody. Jesus loves you and so do we.
#ManCave #SRM #ywap4Christ #JLYASDW

          Man Cave at The Sunshine Rescue Mission began like most of our other teaching sessions. We had a lesson planned from our Men's Life Manual called "Strong Men -Great Dads." We were studying a chapter on Resentment and Generational Anger. We did cover that, but soon we went to a place we're just beginning to understand. Do our actions here on earth influence those in heavenly places?
          We read from a passage in the Bible from Ephesians 3:10. Let's look at that verse in several different versions of the Bible."[The purpose is] that through the church the complicated,
many-sided wisdom of God in all its infinite variety and innumerable aspects
might now be made known to the angelic rulers and authorities
(principalities and powers) in the heavenly sphere." 
Amplified Bible, Classic Edition

"The purpose of this was to unveil before every throne and
rank of angelic orders in the heavenly realm
God’s full and diverse wisdom revealed through the church." 
The Passion Translation 

"God’s purpose in all this was to
use the church to display his wisdom
in its rich variety to all
the unseen rulers and authorities in the heavenly places."
New Living Translation

          The Bible says that man is made a little lower than the angels. (Psalm 8:5, Hebrews 2:7) The Bible also says we will judge the angels. 
"Don’t you realize that we will judge angels? 
So you should surely be able to resolve ordinary disputes in this life."
1 Corinthians 6:3 New Living Translation
         
         We need to do a great deal of further study, but there are several points we can be sure of:

• Make sure your actions reveal the character of God's Love to everyone around you.
• We never know who might be an angel!
• Our character is a window into our heart and what we truly believe in.
• If we believe in Christ through our actions ~ our character will be a Window of Wisdom to anyone around us ~ heavenly or otherwise!

"Do not forget or neglect or refuse to extend hospitality to strangers
[in the brotherhood--
being friendly, cordial, and gracious,
sharing the comforts of your home
and doing your part generously],
for through it some have
entertained angels without knowing it."
Hebrews 13:2 Amplified Bible, Classic Edition

          Thanks for your time. Go do something nice for somebody.
Jesu loves you and so do we.
#ManCave #SRM #MentoringAngels #ywap4Christ #JLYASDW

          Resentment is like "resending" a bad memory back into your heart and causing a greater wound. Releasing angry memories is a process of healing.
          We covered a lot of ground in today's time together at the Sunshine Rescue Mission. We read a story about a young boy and his troubled relationship with his dad. You can read it below. We told a story about God's power of redemption that took over 50 years to make it happen. A little girl was given up for adoption by her Dad after his wife died shortly after giving birth. She found him on his deathbed through God orchestrated circumstances and they had a tearful reunion. His first words to her were, "I never should have given you up!"
          God used the remorse of a father on his deathbed to resurrect a father-daughter relationship. He died soon after, but he will see his daughter again in heaven.
          Our class was comically interrupted by "Orange Cone Thieves." The Mission has orange cones outside to help control the flow of guys who come in for meals. Several men took the cones and were walking down the street with them. Several guys ran outside to retrieve the cones. We had a good laugh as we prayed for guys who may have needed the cones to become like the "cone-heads" on Saturday Night Live.
          Our class closed with some great discussion on how to control anger and avoid resentment Here are some of the guys responses concerning anger:

1. Walk Away
2. Read the Bible
3. Set Boundaries
4. Pray
5. Talk It Over
6. Forgive

          Session #6 will continue next week. If you have any questions or advice, please let us know. Thanks for your time. Go do something nice for somebody. Jesus loves you and so do we.
​#mancave #strongmengreatdads #srm #ywap4Christ #JLYASDW
 

PLEASE NOTE: This is Part 2 of Man Cave Session 5 at The Sunshine Rescue Mission from 9-8-20. Sometimes we add material that we feel is needed for the class we're in. Today we covered rejection, wounds and healing.

          Rejection happens to all of us in varying degrees. How we handle rejection will often control how much rejection we invite into our lives. The lessons on the slides below will give you a glimpse into our lesson.
          All people have something we can learn. Look for something good in everyone you meet. If they reject or disrespect you, follow the "Jesus Option." On the cross in the midst of rejection he said, "Father forgive them, they don't know what they're doing.' Go and do likewise.
​          Thanks for your time. Go do something nice for somebody. Jesus loves you and so do we.

          Fatherlessness has many faces.A Dad can be absent physically or emotionally. Respecting authority doesn't happen easily for a guy without a solid male role model in his life. Today's Man Cave at the Sunshine Rescue Mission began Session #5 in the Strong Men Great Dads Life Manual for Men. We read a true story about a guy who took a bullet to save a boy's life.
           In the world of gangsters, respect is earned by following the rules set by the gang leaders. There is an authority structure that demands respect. When you don't follow the rules and disrespect the authority in a gang, you can lose your life. Power, money and respect is taken. Eventually everybody in this structure of authority will lose - they die or go to jail.
           Respect in the world outside of gangster-land is earned. Young men without fathers are angry and demand respect their own way. Jesus earned respect by serving people. The guys at SRM had a great interactive discussion about respect and the roots of anger. We talked about identifying those roots and taking steps to control our emotions. 
          In the slides below you can read the story and the first part of our lesson on respect. Thanks for your time. Go do something nice for somebody. Jesus loves you and so do we.

          We finished up Session #4 of the Life Manual for Men today at the Sunshine Rescue Mission. Last night a guy made the decision to leave the Mission. This happens sometimes and it makes a lot of us sad, but we have to let go.
          We all will experience rejection and abandonment in our lives. Learning how to deal with it helps minimize future rejections. When we're rejected repeatedly, we begin to subconsciously expect rejection. That expectation causes us to actually push people away before the rejection actually happens.
          God promises repeatedly in the Bible that He will never leave us or forsake us. Focusing on His love for us helps us to understand how worthy we are to be loved by Him and others. Getting comfortable in our own skin will help us be comfortable around others.
          We talked about the Blessing of Obedience and the fruit of following God. We wrapped up our session with a study on planning and preparation. Chapter 46 in the book "49 X 3:16" is called "Be Prepared" You can read a section of it in the pictures below. The men were urged to be grateful for what they have and be resilient when things aren't perfect. Sometimes we wait too long for perfect opportunities to appear and they never do.
          Trust God, take a step and then trust Him again. Life isn't meant to be lived impatiently. Be still and wait on God. We had some great interaction with many wisdom filled comments and advice from some of the men today. As for the guy who left yesterday, we have to let go and continue to pray. Many guys do find their way back when they realize what a great opportunity they have at the Sunshine Rescue Mission.
          Thanks for your time. Go do something nice for  somebody. Jesus loves you and so do we.
#mancave #strongresilientmen #SRM #ywap4Christ #JLYASDW

          Sometimes it can take several weeks to cover one session in our Life manual for Men. Our teaching time can be filled with teachable moments that appear as "suddenly's."
          Session #4 has taken two weeks. We covered a story called "Will The Men Come Back?" last week. Today was fill ed with stories about following God's lead in creating good habits. You can read the story and see the entirety of Session #4 by clicking on this link: LIFE IS NOT ALWAYS ABOUT YOU   
          We read from a book by Mac Anderson who is the Founder of Successories. The book is called "The Essence of Leadership." A page about habits can be found in our picture gallery below. Another quote we highlighted from the book is this: "Inch by inch, life's a cinch. Yard by yard, life is hard."
            In the middle of a story about Jonah, a man walked by on the sidewalk outside the open windows. Our custom is to say hello to everyone who walks by. I yelled; "It's good to see ya! The man looked up and said "Hey." That stopped our Jonah story dead in its tracks and stated a "hay story."
          A woman was trapped under a huge bale of hay. Two men tried to lift it and went to get more help. Almost suffocating, the trapped woman muffled the words "Just cut the string. Please just cut the string!" No one could hear her. The men returned with help and in the nick of time lifted the bale off the woman.
          The woman almost died. If the men had heard her voice, saying "Just cut the string." they could have saved a lot of suffering and trouble. If you cut the string the hay bale would fall apart. Sometimes life or death can be separated by something as small as a string. Sometimes a good life or a bad life can be separated by one small habit.
          After the "Hay Story" we returned to the Jonah story. Pastor Daniel Williamson from Church For The Nations Flagstaff had a great message during his Sunday Sermon. We'll paraphrase one of his main points here: "God will help you learn by instruction. If that doesn't work, He will give you and experience to teach you the lesson." 
          Jonah was given instructions to go and deliver a message to a leader and his people. Jonah refused and got on a ship to run away in the opposite direction. God sent a whale to swallow Jonah and his plans. If you don't follow God's way, He will give you an experience that may be unpleasant!
          Man Cave leaders are given the instruction of following the Life Manual for Men, but they are encouraged to fill  the Cave with their own personal experiences. All men are invited to share all parts of their lives in a safe place of transparency. As far as personal information; what happens in the man Cave - stays in the Man Cave! 
          Thanks for your time. Go do something nice for somebody. Jesus loves you and so do we. As always, we appreciate your comments and questions.

          Will The Men Come Back? That's the opening question and title of the story in SMGD Session #4. We read the story out loud at the Sunshine Rescue Mission. We like to teach using as many learning styles as we can.
          Fatherlessness happens when men disappear and children are left with a hole in their hearts. The story ends with a plea: "Come back! Save the women and children!" 
          Session #4 is posted below for you to use in your own Man Cave. Please contact us with any questions or thoughts. Thanks for your time. Go do something nice for somebody. Jesus loves you and so do we.
​#mancave #strongresilientmen #ywap4Christ #JLYASDW

          There's a lot of good folks in the community who do a lot of good things that you never hear about. You might think that guys in a Man Cave sit around, drink coffee and study the Bible. That's only part of what they do!
          If you only study the Bible and don't live it, you might as well be a stuffed animal that never makes its way into a kids hands. The Bible is a living Word lived out through our actions. A group of kind ladies (who also study the Bible,) have started a Community Outreach Funnel. They collect useful items like clothes and toys and share them with folks who could use them.
          The guys in Man Cave are big on Community Engagement. They love giving things away and serving with their whole hearts, minds and strength. Yes, there were women's clothes in the Man Cave, but were timely gifts for some special ladies. Why are the ladies special? Because they are daughters of a Father who loves them to heaven and back. 
          So you might be wondering where these gifts ended up. Some of them went to the Hope Chest and others went to the Window Rock Christian Center in the Navajo Nation. We've posted some information about them below.  
          Man Cave is big on collaboration. One of the Caves is based at Church For The Nations Flagstaff which  sponsors Compassion Ministries  If you have donations, you can rest assured that they won't sit in the Man Cave. We get them into the hands and hearts of folks who will appreciate your generosity. We can be reached at 716-830-8240.

HOPE CHEST
          At Children’s HopeChest, we empower orphaned and impoverished children and their communities through relationships that cultivate holistic transformation and sustainability. Our unique Community-to-Community model connects communities in the U.S. and Canada to communities overseas with a high population of orphaned and impoverished children.
We seek to bring lasting, positive transformation to those we serve, and in turn, our communities in North America are impacted as well.
Purpose: What do we do?

• Children’s HopeChest seeks to glorify God by effecting positive, lasting change in the lives of vulnerable children around the world. Specifically, we engage communities in long-term partnerships that:
• Empower local leaders to provide food, medical care, and hope to their communities, while sharing the gospel.​Work with local leaders to reduce, and eventually eliminate, poverty by creating self-sufficiency for every child and every family in their community.
• Support partnering communities as they directly engage with overseas communities to create sustainable transformation using healthy international development practices.
• Address the complex causes of poverty, including material, spiritual, emotional, social, economic, and educational needs.

WINDOW ROCK CHRISTIAN CENTER
Mission Statement Isaiah. 60:1 "Arise. For gross darkness has covered the land, But thy light has come"
          Our Mission is to reach out to all our Navajo people here on the Navajo Nation and to all our Native Brothers and Sisters, Restoring the broken hearts, and bring healing to the mind, soul, and body.
          To encourage, to empower and equip. to reach out to communities for Christ, Bringing Discipleship and relationship to bring change into their lives, homes, and communities with a Bible Base lifestyle and integrity, Accountability.
          Our vision is to reach out to every single person who wants change to instill in their lives what is truth and right and to instill into their own  children's  lives so that this vision keeps going for generations to come living a bible base life.
          Our ministry is solely financed by individuals and Churches. If you would like to support us in reaching out to our Native people through Christ Jesus as Navajo Pastors we are able to go into dry areas and bring the Word of the Lord to broken people, (speaking to them in the Navajo Language), restoring what has been broken they hear from a Native Pastor what God can do in their lives and to bring change and salvation in their homes and lives.
           https://www.windowrockcc.org/

Authors Note: We often cover relevant topics at Man Cave as they happen in current events. We call this "POWER-MOMENT MENTORING," which means we mentor in the power of the current emotional moment. When we notice that guys are struggling with issues or have overwhelming questions about current events, we suspend regular programming and go where we nee to go. 

           Mental illness can be permanent or temporary. Sometimes medications and counseling will help folks overcome the mental illness or learn to cope with it. Too often people blame demonic possession as the cause of strange behaviors. Life is a series of mountain hikes where we learn how to overcome struggle and embrace conflict as the most excellent way of growth.  
           Mental illness is more common that demon possession. How can you tell the difference? You pray and wait for the Holy Spirit’s revelation.
           Demons look for bodies to inhabit or possess - that are human or animal. Humans can open themselves up to demonic influences through many things; the occult, alcohol, drugs, horoscopes, mediums, astrology, Palm readers, clairvoyants or psychics are only a few examples.
           Oppression is a heavy weight pushing us down in an attempt to keep us from sharing the Good News of Christ. Oppression can be brought on by guilt, evil people or circumstances. Oppression can be brought on by ourselves if we dabble in things that are ungodly. The devil will use oppression in an attempt to gain possession.You have power to stop the oppression through the written Word. 

             "Listen! I gave you power to walk on snakes and scorpions.
              I gave you more power than the Enemy has.
             Nothing will hurt you."
              Luke 10:19 ICB

              "And you know that God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power.
               Then Jesus went around doing good and healing
               all who were oppressed by the devil,
               for God was with him." 
              Acts 10:38 NLT

          Some folks have the ability through Christ to cast demons out of people. It’s extremely important to stay humble Christ is doing His work through you. Don’t get haughty or prideful, it’s not you, it’s Christ." It's important to know the difference between possession and oppression. The devil is behind all illnesses - anything that steals, kills or destroys life.
          Unity in Christ will help anyone with any illness. The devil fights against unity because he knows there's strength in unity. There is power in wearing God's armor.
                    Wear the Full Armor of God     
     Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his great power. 
     Wear the full armor of God.
     Wear God’s armor so that you can fight against the devil’s evil tricks. 
     Our fight is not against people on earth.
     We are fighting against the rulers and authorities and the powers of this world’s darkness.
     We are fighting against the spiritual powers of evil in the heavenly world. 
     That is why you need to get God’s full armor.
     Then on the day of evil you will be able to stand strong.
     And when you have finished the whole fight, you will still be standing. 
     So stand strong, with the belt of truth tied around your waist.
     And on your chest wear the protection of right living. 
     And on your feet wear the Good News of peace to help you stand strong. 
     And also use the shield of faith.
     With that you can stop all the burning arrows of the Evil One. 
     Accept God’s salvation to be your helmet.
     And take the sword of the Spirit—that sword is the teaching of God. 
     Pray in the Spirit at all times.
     Pray with all kinds of prayers, and ask for everything you need.
     To do this you must always be ready.
     Never give up.
      Always pray for all God’s people."
     Ephesians 6:10-18 ICB

(Note:The rest of this article contains our notes. Please feel free to comment or ask questions.)

          Thanks for your time. Go do something nice for somebody. Jesus loves you and so do we.
#mancave #ywap4Christ #JLYASDW
​  
[The following was copied from Active Faith Devotional on BibleGateway
“He brought out the most physically impressive warrior in his ranks and also the smallest and least conspicuous soldier. In front of the great warrior he placed a small scraggly pony and in front of the smaller soldier he placed a mighty war horse. He then gave each the task of pulling out the horse’s tail, but by two very different methods. The stout soldier was instructed to pull off the tail in one clump while the small soldier was told to do so one hair at a time. You can guess the outcome. It was the weaker soldier who triumphed over the war horse and the mighty soldier who failed despite all his apparent advantages. A horse’s tail is strong because of its many strands.
 
A wise leader will succeed by attending to the many seemingly small principles for life’s success offered by God. These principles will be like the multitude of strands on the horse’s tail making it impervious to being overpowered by brute force. A foolish person relies on individual gifts and personal strength; however, this is the epitome of weakness, because there is no unity of purpose supporting his efforts. Therefore, he stands alone. Leadership finds its strength by pulling together the many hairs of the horse’s tail.”]
 
“I APPEAL to you therefore, brethren, and beg of you in view of [all] the mercies of God, to make a decisive dedication of your bodies [presenting all your members and faculties] as a living sacrifice, holy (devoted, consecrated) and well pleasing to God, which is your reasonable (rational, intelligent) service and spiritual worship. Do not be conformed to this world (this age), [fashioned after and adapted to its external, superficial customs], but be transformed (changed) by the [entire] renewal of your mind [by its new ideals and its new attitude], so that you may prove [for yourselves] what is the good and acceptable and perfect will of God, even the thing which is good and acceptable and perfect [in His sight for you]. For by the grace (unmerited favor of God) given to me I warn everyone among you not to estimate and think of himself more highly than he ought [not to have an exaggerated opinion of his own importance], but to rate his ability with sober judgment, each according to the degree of faith apportioned by God to him. For as in one physical body we have many parts (organs, members) and all of these parts do not have the same function or use, So we, numerous as we are, are one body in Christ (the Messiah) and individually we are parts one of another [mutually dependent on one another]. Having gifts (faculties, talents, qualities) that differ according to the grace given us, let us use them: [He whose gift is] prophecy, [let him prophesy] according to the proportion of his faith;”
Romans 12:1-6 AMPC
 
In mountain hiking, running, washing dishes, cleaning toilets or any other physically demanding activity, there comes a time when you feel like quitting. That’s when strong men keep going. You have to mentally push your body past exhaustion.  The strength of a team is in unity. The weakness of a team is in disunity. Alone we are all weak, together we are strong.
 
Your dreams and goals are the mountains of your lives. There will be peaks and valleys, storms and obstacles. Climb the mountains of life with Christ who gives you strength. What a friend we have in Jesus.
     Last week some guys from Man Cave hike to the top of Humphreys Peak 12, 633’. The guys  hiked and  watched each other’s backs. Sometimes we did a caterpillar hike to match each other’s speed. Sometimes we waited. They all waited for me at the top.
 
One sign said “Don’t cut the trail.” Too often in life we cut the trail and travel the way of no conflict. We won’t grow without conflict.
 
Trees were carved with a peace sign and Covid.
Why would someone use a type of destruction to a tree to carve a peace sign?
Why would someone carve a message of death into a live tree?

The following comments was copied from the Active Faith Devotional on BibleGateway
Run your own race! Hebrews 12:1-2
“THEREFORE THEN, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses [who have borne testimony to the Truth], let us strip off and throw aside every encumbrance (unnecessary weight) and that sin which so readily (deftly and cleverly) clings to and entangles us, and let us run with patient endurance and steady and active persistence the appointed course of the race that is set before us, Looking away [from all that will distract] to Jesus, Who is the Leader and the Source of our faith [giving the first incentive for our belief] and is also its Finisher [bringing it to maturity and perfection]. He, for the joy [of obtaining the prize] that was set before Him, endured the cross, despising and ignoring the shame, and is now seated at the right hand of the throne of God. [Ps. 110:1.]”
Hebrews 12:1-2 AMPC
Don’t compare your race to anybody else’s. God has given us all our own race to run. Do not get distracted by the enemy or by comparing. Stay focused on Jesus and what HE has for YOU. Don’t look to the side or look back, keep your eyes focused straight ahead on Jesus.
2. Run to win! 1 Corinthians 9:24
“You’ve all been to the stadium and seen the athletes race. Everyone runs; one wins. Run to win. All good athletes train hard. They do it for a gold medal that tarnishes and fades. You’re after one that’s gold eternally.”
1 Corinthians 9:24-25 MSG
Our God is a God of excellence. He is the best and He wants the best for us. Whatever your race may be, run it to the best of your ability with intentions of winning! Give God your best as you pursue whatever He has for you. Don’t run just to be running. Run to win!
3. Trust God when you feel like stopping. Isaiah 40:31 HSCB
“But those who wait for the Lord [who expect, look for, and hope in Him] shall change and renew their strength and power; they shall lift their wings and mount up [close to God] as eagles [mount up to the sun]; they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint or become tired. [Heb. 12:1-3.]”
Isaiah 40:31 AMPC
We all face times when we feel like giving up. Or times when we are running through life and it seems like we aren’t getting closer to our goals. These are the times that we must trust God. We have to trust that He is leading us on the path that is best for us and that He will take care of us. When we learn how to trust God regardless of our circumstance, He renews our strength and allows us to keep running!