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CAN THE KILLING FIELDS HAPPEN IN AMERICA?

3/2/2021

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Phnom Penh Killing Field Skull.JPG Created: 29 October 2011 Used under Creative Commons License,  
https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Phnom_Penh_Killing_Field_Skull.JPG
The following story is a partial representation of material shared during a mentoring class at the Sunshine Rescue Mission on 3-2-21
           In the four years between 1975-79 after I graduated from high school, I don't remember thinking about millions of people being slaughtered in Cambodia. The Killing Fields were named after the discovery of millions of executed Cambodians found in mass graves in about 300 sites throughout the country. Pol Pot was a genocidal despot who lead the murderous regime of the Khmer Rouge in wiping out almost one quarter of the population of Cambodia in only four years. Is it possible for a genocide to happen in America?
          You might think that seems like a ridiculous question, but how does a genocide happen in the first place? While  reading some of the survivor accounts and thinking about events in America today, I started to feel an extreme heaviness push down on my heart. As the sadness gripped me, a dismal thought came to mind, "Is it I, Lord?"
          In light of my life with many mistakes, that's a question I've often asked myself. It comes from a question the Disciples asked Jesus in Matthew 26:21-22. "Now as they were eating, He said, “Assuredly, I say to you, one of you will betray Me.” And they were exceedingly sorrowful, and each of them began to say to Him, “Lord, is it I?” A guy named Judas was the one. He betrayed Jesus for some money and became part of the crucifixion story as Christ was murdered in unspeakable horror.
          Now the seemingly ridiculous question of genocide in America enters into an even more ridiculous thought process. How does a good friend betray somebody so special who healed people and came to save others? Why do all of His good friends even have to ask if they're the one capable of betraying Jesus? 
          Nobody believes that genocide will happen to them in the land of freedom, but why do guys who've been walking with Jesus, His close friends, actually think they could become betrayers? Because they are, and so are we. As human beings we're all capable of loving like Mother Teresa, killing like Pol Pot and betraying like Judas.
          The Khmer Rouge engaged in a sadistic genocide with the goal of returning Cambodia to the "golden age." The poor would farm the land in a quest for self sustenance and all capitalistic influences would be banned. Their methods to force people to comply were barbaric, ruthless and inhuman. How does a human commit inhuman atrocities? How are people convinced that it's in their best interests to betray friends, neighbors and family members?
          I was never personally a first hand witness to a holocaust, genocide or slavery, but I have witnessed the barbarity of gangland executions. Here's one thing I've learned, the first killing is the hardest and the second is easier and then it becomes easily accepted. After a young gang member is convinced that he has to join a gang, he tries to convince gang leaders that he's worthy of becoming a gangster. He's given a task which many times means killing somebody. The young, immature mind is convinced. that this act of murder is necessary. Misguided adrenaline helps him conquer fear and nervousness to put courage in his trigger finger. The only failure is not making sure the victim is dead. Usually the adrenaline makes him empty his weapon to make sure the execution is complete. Killing the first victim is the hard, but evil has a way of growing on you. Eventually the youngster develops a sociopathic mindset and kills without any trace of a guilty conscience. 
          What happened in Cambodia can happen again in any country. All it takes is spreading the bait of half-truths, combining them with fear and wrapping them up as hope for the hopeless; and you have a ready made hungry audience. Once the naked truth of Marxist control becomes known, it's often too late. Young people are taken from their families and brainwashed into committing atrocities. Friends, relatives and neighbors turn on each other for fear of becoming the next target of torture and execution. Slowly the insidious fear takes over neighborhoods, cities and then a country.
          The destruction of normal social structures is one of the main weapons of Communistic ideologies. The government is in charge of everything and controls the population in many ways including:
  • Dictating the number of children you can have.(Forced abortions.)
  • Taking away rights like business and property ownership (Fostering communal ownership.) 
  • Discrimination against religious beliefs.
  • Forced acceptance of political ideologies.
  • Censorship of any opinion contrary to government control.
          Those who are instrumental in sowing the destructive seeds of genocide start by classifying people as enemies or followers. In the worst case scenarios, enemies are either imprisoned with the intention of brainwashing them or exterminated.
          Where is America today? It's easy to see the influence of big companies, social media censorship and foreign influence. The political parties have many members who cater to special interests who fund their political campaigns. The current President has signed executive orders allowing taxpayer monies to support the killing of children through abortion in this country and overseas. Cities have experienced destruction at the hands of angry mobs. Organizations claim to stand up for victims of racism and oppression while hiding their true mission of destroying nuclear families.  They act much like the wolf who dressed up as Grandma. 
          I read about a Rwandan Genocide survivor who said what's happening in America is eerily similar to what happened in his country before the Genocide. When a group or groups of people are treated as second class citizens, the process of dehumanization begins. Differences of opinion are turned into accusations of bigotry and hatred. Separating people by classes can lead to inhuman treatment. When enough folks engage in mistreating a class of people over an extended period of time, inhumanity becomes the norm and is no longer viewed as inhuman.
          In America, many people who identify as Christians or other religions have become targets of government legislation. If you have a Biblical mindset as a Christian, that means you wouldn't support the passage of the Equality Act. It doesn't mean that you don't love folks who do support the Act. We believe what God wrote in the Bible. God created man and women in His image. Changing the image of who He created to be is like telling God He made a mistake. Personally I'd never want to do that. Nations fall when God is replaced by idols. Pursuing self-fulfillment outside of the will of God is pursuing an idol of destruction.
  • "For the nations that refuse to serve you will be destroyed." Isaiah 60:12 NLT 
  • "Some find their strength in their weapons and wisdom, but my miracle deliverance can never be won by men. Our boast is in the Lord our God, who makes us strong and gives us victory!" Psalm 20:7 TP
  • Then God said, “Let us make human beings in our image and likeness. And let them rule over the fish in the sea and the birds in the sky. Let them rule over the tame animals, over all the earth and over all the small crawling animals on the earth.” So God created human beings in his image. In the image of God he created them. He created them male and female." Genesis 1:26-27 ICB
          Thanks for your time. Go do something nice for somebody. Jesus loves you and so do we.
YWAP IS BIG ON MENTORING & COMMUNITY SERVICE! YWAP empowers people in Christ to become collaborators in a community effort to create a better world for children and their families. Investing in youth is a preemptive strike against sexual abuse, drug addiction and human trafficking. Man Cave is a place of transparency and accountability. A fatherless generation is lacking the knowledge of a Father’s Love. Our goal is to help guys become Christ-centered men who respect women and accept the responsibilities of becoming a dad. We don’t hibernate in the Man Cave, we believe in Community Engagement through good neighborliness. The YWAP Directors serve in Pastoral Leadership by ministering to Youth Ministry Teams and Prayer Teams. We teach Biblically based best practices from a 25 year background in ministry. We appreciate your prayers and support. For more information about YWAP programs, to volunteer or become a guest speaker, please call us at: 716-830-8240 or email, [email protected].
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A DIRTY GIRL MEETS MR. CLEAN

10/30/2020

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          Our subject matter at Man Cave for Tuesday (10-27-20) covered a lot of ground. In Session #7 from our workbook "Strong Men Great Dads" was called "A Dirty Girl Meets Mr. Clean." We read a story about a girl used sexually by a gang and the long term effects that the experience had on her life. We also discussed some common traits of homelessness.
          The girl in the story was used to being abused. She accepted a way of life as normal, that made her feel dirty. She thought that all guys would use her and love was just a brief sex act. Strong men take accountability for their actions and recognize when someone's been hurt.​

Proverbs 3:27
Whenever you are able,
    do good to people who need help.
          Bad things happen to good people, unfortunately bad things sometimes get accepted as a normal way of life. Folks addicted to drugs, alcohol, pornography, sex or gambling accept evil as their normalcy. A homeless person feels hungry and sees a take-out food container left on a park bench and eats the scraps inside. They've conditioned themselves to see discarded trash as a blessing.
          The devil is an expert at making garbage appear as a blessing. He knows many folks won't go the extra mile to get out of their comfort zone. Life is hard sometimes and the struggle stops folks dead in their sin. Some guys have become allergic to rules and authority. A father is supposed to be an authority figure in a son or daughter's life. That's where we learn respect.
          A guy named Paul wrote a Letter to a group of folks who lived in a city called Ephesus. It's in the Bible as the Book of Ephesians and here's a look at Chapter 6:14.

So stand firm and hold your ground, 
having tightened the wide band of truth 
(personal integrity, moral courage) around your waist 
and having put on the breastplate of righteousness 
(an upright heart),
          The Truth is the knowledge of Jesus Christ that holds up your Way of Life.

John 14:6 Amplified BibleJesus said to him, “I am the [only] Way [to God] and the [real] Truth and the [real] Life; no one comes to the Father but through Me.
          The "breastplate of righteousness" is our condition with God or maybe a better way to say it would be, "it's our outward evidence of our inward character that reflects our faith in God."
          We all have times of feeling unworthy and depressed over feeling inadequate. Jesus is a friend of sinners. We are all worthy of being redeemed by God's love. Walk by the mediocre offerings of life and ask God to show you His best. When you seek Him with all your heart, you will hear His voice behind you saying, "This is the Way, walk in Truth and live a more excellent Life.
          Thanks for our time. Go do something nice for somebody.
Jesus loves you and so do we.
​#mancave #srm #ywap4Christ #JLYASDW.
YWAP empowers people in Christ to become collaborators in a community effort to create a better world for children and their families. Investing in youth is a preemptive strike against sexual abuse, drug addiction and human trafficking. Man Cave is a place of transparency and accountability. A fatherless generation is lacking the knowledge of a Father’s Love. Our goal is to help guys become Christ-centered men who respect women and accept the responsibilities of becoming a dad. We don’t hibernate in the Man Cave, we believe in Community Engagement through good neighborliness. Women Set Apart is a Women’s Bible Study focusing on hearing the heart and voice of Jesus. “And this is eternal life: [it means] to know (to perceive, recognize, become acquainted with, and understand) You, the only true and real God, and [likewise] to know Him, Jesus [as the] Christ (the Anointed One, the Messiah), Whom You have sent.” John 17:3 AMPC The YWAP Directors serve in Pastoral Leadership by ministering to Youth Ministry Teams and Prayer Teams. We teach Biblically based best practices from a 25 year background in ministry. We appreciate your prayers and support. For more information about YWAP programs, to volunteer or become a guest speaker, please call us at: 716-830-8240 or email, [email protected].
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WHAT DO YOU DO WITH VOICES IN YOUR HEAD?

10/20/2020

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A Lesson On Thoughts At Man Cave 

          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
YWAP empowers people in Christ to become collaborators in a community effort to create a better world for children and their families. Investing in youth is a preemptive strike against sexual abuse, drug addiction and human trafficking. Man Cave is a place of transparency and accountability. A fatherless generation is lacking the knowledge of a Father’s Love. Our goal is to help guys become Christ-centered men who respect women and accept the responsibilities of becoming a dad. We don’t hibernate in the Man Cave, we believe in Community Engagement through good neighborliness. Women Set Apart is a Women’s Bible Study focusing on hearing the heart and voice of Jesus. “And this is eternal life: [it means] to know (to perceive, recognize, become acquainted with, and understand) You, the only true and real God, and [likewise] to know Him, Jesus [as the] Christ (the Anointed One, the Messiah), Whom You have sent.” John 17:3 AMPC The YWAP Directors serve in Pastoral Leadership by ministering to Youth Ministry Teams and Prayer Teams. We teach Biblically based best practices from a 25 year background in ministry. We appreciate your prayers and support. For more information about YWAP programs, to volunteer or become a guest speaker, please call us at: 716-830-8240 or email, [email protected].

WE'RE GRATEFUL FOR THE WAY GUYS FROM THE SUNSHINE RESCUE MISSION VOLUNTEER TO HELP IN THE COMMUNITY!

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DO WE MENTOR ANGELS?

10/1/2020

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CREATING WINDOWS of WISDOM IN A MAN CAVE

          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
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YWAP empowers people in Christ to become collaborators in a community effort to create a better world for children and their families. Investing in youth is a preemptive strike against sexual abuse, drug addiction and human trafficking. Man Cave is a place of transparency and accountability. A fatherless generation is lacking the knowledge of a Father’s Love. Our goal is to help guys become Christ-centered men who respect women and accept the responsibilities of becoming a dad. We don’t hibernate in the Man Cave, we believe in Community Engagement through good neighborliness. Women Set Apart is a Women’s Bible Study focusing on hearing the heart and voice of Jesus. “And this is eternal life: [it means] to know (to perceive, recognize, become acquainted with, and understand) You, the only true and real God, and [likewise] to know Him, Jesus [as the] Christ (the Anointed One, the Messiah), Whom You have sent.” John 17:3 AMPC The YWAP Directors serve in Pastoral Leadership by ministering to Youth Ministry Teams and Prayer Teams. We teach Biblically based best practices from a 25 year background in ministry. We appreciate your prayers and support. For more information about YWAP programs, to volunteer or become a guest speaker, please call us at: 716-830-8240 or email, [email protected].
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"I WILL NEVER BE LIKE MY DAD!"

9/22/2020

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Session #6
"What Goes Around Comes Around - UNLESS YOU STOP IT!
"
GENERATIONAL ANGER

          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 join our email list to keep up to date on YWAPportuniies to serve youth and their families. YWAP empowers people to become collaborators in a community effort to create a better world for children and their families. Investing in youth is a preemptive strike against sexual abuse, drug addiction and human trafficking. Our new program is called “Strong Men Great Dads.” Men gather in a “Man Cave” through a partnership of transparency and accountability. A fatherless generation is lacking the knowledge of a Father’s Love. Our goal is to help guys become Christ-centered men who respect women and accept the responsibilities of becoming a dad. We don’t hibernate in the Man Cave, we believe in Community Engagement through god neighborliness. The YWAP Directors serve in Pastoral Leadership by ministering to Youth Ministry Teams and Prayer Teams. We teach Biblically based best practices from a 25 year background in ministry. We appreciate your prayers and support. For more information about YWAP programs, to volunteer or become a guest speaker, please call us at: 716-830-8240 or email, [email protected].
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A RAP Lesson - Rejection, Abandonment & Planning AT MAN CAVE

8/27/2020

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Don't Leave Without A PLan!

          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
Please join our email list to keep up to date on YWAPportuniies to serve youth and their families. YWAP empowers people to become collaborators in a community effort to create a better world for children and their families. Investing in youth is a preemptive strike against sexual abuse, drug addiction and human trafficking. Our new program is called “Strong Men Great Dads.” Men gather in a “Man Cave” through a partnership of transparency and accountability. A fatherless generation is lacking the knowledge of a Father’s Love. Our goal is to help guys become Christ-centered men who respect women and accept the responsibilities of becoming a dad. We don’t hibernate in the Man Cave, we believe in Community Engagement through god neighborliness. The YWAP Directors serve in Pastoral Leadership by ministering to Youth Ministry Teams and Prayer Teams. We teach Biblically based best practices from a 25 year background in ministry. We appreciate your prayers and support. For more information about YWAP programs, to volunteer or become a guest speaker, please call us at: 716-830-8240 or email, [email protected].
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Strong Men Great Dads Session #4 Part Two - YOUR HABITS

8/20/2020

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Habits Bring Success Or Failure

          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.
Please join our email list to keep up to date on YWAPportuniies to serve youth and their families. YWAP empowers people to become collaborators in a community effort to create a better world for children and their families. Investing in youth is a preemptive strike against sexual abuse, drug addiction and human trafficking. Our new program is called “Strong Men Great Dads.” Men gather in a “Man Cave” through a partnership of transparency and accountability. A fatherless generation is lacking the knowledge of a Father’s Love. Our goal is to help guys become Christ-centered men who respect women and accept the responsibilities of becoming a dad. We don’t hibernate in the Man Cave, we believe in Community Engagement through god neighborliness. The YWAP Directors serve in Pastoral Leadership by ministering to Youth Ministry Teams and Prayer Teams. We teach Biblically based best practices from a 25 year background in ministry. We appreciate your prayers and support. For more information about YWAP programs, to volunteer or become a guest speaker, please call us at: 716-830-8240 or email, [email protected].
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Why Were Women's Clothes In The Man Cave?

8/10/2020

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          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/

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Please join our email list to keep up to date on YWAPportuniies to serve youth and their families. YWAP empowers people to become collaborators in a community effort to create a better world for children and their families. Investing in youth is a preemptive strike against sexual abuse, drug addiction and human trafficking. Our new program is called “Strong Men Great Dads.” Men gather in a “Man Cave” through a partnership of transparency and accountability. A fatherless generation is lacking the knowledge of a Father’s Love. Our goal is to help guys become Christ-centered men who respect women and accept the responsibilities of becoming a dad. We don’t hibernate in the Man Cave, we believe in Community Engagement through god neighborliness. The YWAP Directors serve in Pastoral Leadership by ministering to Youth Ministry Teams and Prayer Teams. We teach Biblically based best practices from a 25 year background in ministry. We appreciate your prayers and support. For more information about YWAP programs, to volunteer or become a guest speaker, please call us at: 716-830-8240 or email, [email protected].
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DEMONS, MENTAL ILLNESS & MOUNTAINS IN THE MAN CAVE

8/10/2020

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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. 

Is it Demonic Possession, Oppression Or Mental Illness?

PictureCarving a live tree is an act of destruction. Carving a peace sign seems like an act of hypocrisy.
           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!


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Please join our email list to keep up to date on YWAPportuniies to serve youth and their families. YWAP empowers people to become collaborators in a community effort to create a better world for children and their families. Investing in youth is a preemptive strike against sexual abuse, drug addiction and human trafficking. Our new program is called “Strong Men Great Dads.” Men gather in a “Man Cave” through a partnership of transparency and accountability. A fatherless generation is lacking the knowledge of a Father’s Love. Our goal is to help guys become Christ-centered men who respect women and accept the responsibilities of becoming a dad. We don’t hibernate in the Man Cave, we believe in Community Engagement through god neighborliness. The YWAP Directors serve in Pastoral Leadership by ministering to Youth Ministry Teams and Prayer Teams. We teach Biblically based best practices from a 25 year background in ministry. We appreciate your prayers and support. For more information about YWAP programs, to volunteer or become a guest speaker, please call us at: 716-830-8240 or email, [email protected].
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Men On A Mission From God for Children

8/7/2020

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Men Must MOve On BEHALF  of Children

          A van load of guys left the Sunshine Rescue Mission (SRM) and headed to the NAOMI House.
The guys were part of the Man Cave program that teaches men Biblical Leadership and personal accountability.
          The NAOMI House is a safe haven for children from the Navajo Nation who've fallen on hard times. Many children all across the United States have fallen into the emptiness of not having an active father in their lives. While the Staff at NAOMI do an excellent job in their roles as House Parents, there's always a need for a few more good men.
          This was the first act of Community Engagement for the Man Cave guys. The purpose of this trip was to do some property maintenance and yard work. Their interactions with the children were minimal, but sometimes actions speak louder than words. One of the most important things a father can do for a family is simply show up.
          Men from the SRM Man Cave showed up big time, and now they're are eager to return. Relationship building is best accomplished one heart beat at a time. More maintenance needs to be done, but we're also planning a game day and other events to serve the children. The heart beat of compassion will continue.
          YWAP would like to thank the Sunshine Rescue Mission and Hope Cottage Flagstaff and Church for the Nations - Flagstaff for their collaborative efforts.
          You can help the NAOMI House.by visiting their website and getting to know their needs. Children need more parent-like mentors in their lives. Will you step up and share a heart beat? Please watch and share the video that shares a shockingly true story. Click here to see the video.
​                    http://www.thenaomihouse.org/ 
                    928-587-5737
                    [email protected]

          Thanks for your time. Go do something nice for somebody. Jesus loves you and so do we.
#ywap4children #ywap4Life #JLYASDW
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    Bob Kuebler

    Real men are teachable and willing to learn how to be Strong Men and Great Dads.

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