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!

          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
                    genevieve@thenaomihouse.org
          Thanks for your time. Go do something nice for somebody. Jesus loves you and so do we.
#ywap4children #ywap4Life #JLYASDW

          We're proud of the guys from the Man Cave at Sunshine Rescue Mission. Jonathan, Mike and Ryan - being men of strength, resilience and perseverance, made their way to top of Arizona’s tallest mountain - Humphreys Peak 12,633’. They hiked the hardest and longest trail from Lockett Meadow to get there.
          SRM is known as the abbreviation for the Sunshine Rescue Mission. At Man Cave, we have our own abbreviation of SRM - “STRONG RESILIENT MEN.” We spent two days camping and engaging in some Biblical Leadership study. We read from the Bible at our campsite and talked about Christ on the way up the mountain.
          God has a very cool way of speaking through signs in the woods. One of the signs said, "PLEASE DON'T CUT TRAIL." We could write a textbook on what that sign might mean in our daily lives. Too often on our life journeys, we find the going too tough, look for a shortcut or quit. Relationships, businesses, education and many other programs become unfinished trails as we look for the path of least resistance. The journey finished becomes the road less traveled. 
          The Man Cave guys refused to quit on a long, hard journey. They hiked almost 16 miles and gained over 4,000' of elevation as they hiked up the 12th highest peak in the United States. Many folks call the hike up Humphreys as "One of the hardest things I've ever done." 
          Life is all about hiking up mountains and descending into valleys. The trails of life are not easy, especially for those who reach for their fullest potential. God has a plan for your life. He will also help you carry out that plan. Jesus knew His trail included the horribleness of the Cross, but He didn't cut the trail. At Man Cave, guys learn how to stay on the hard hikes of life.
​          Thanks for your time. Go do something nice for somebody. Jesus loves you and so do we.
#mancave #srm #ywap4Christ #JLYASDW

          It's a big day for the guys from Man Cave tomorrow (7-30-20.) The guys from the Sunshine Rescue Mission 
are going on a road trip to the NAOMI House for what we call Community Engagement.
          It's not enough to sit in a Man Cave and study Biblical Leadership. Our goal is to help each other become Strong Men and Great Dads or Father Figures. Love is a verb that must be applied in our daily lives and wherever there is a need. The men will serve tomorrow and fill several needs in the process.
          The NAOMI House is a safe haven for Native American children who've come upon hard times. Please watch this short video to learn more about the good work they do. Please share the video. "CHILDREN IN JEOPARDY" 
          Thanks for your time. Go do something nice for somebody. Jesus loves you and so do we.
#naomihouse #mancave #strongmen #childreninneed #NativeAmericanchildren #ywap4Christ #JLYASDW

WORDS of NEW BEGINNINGS
     "Hard times are just footsteps on the mountains of life.
          You will grow stronger - one step at a time."
               "He gives me new strength." Psalm 23:3 ICB
          All new beginnings will have conflict. We teach men how to embrace conflict as a means of becoming stronger. We use a textbook call "Strong Men Great Dads" as well as true stories of folks who've been heroes. Some of them lived to tell about their mighty deeds and some did not.
          Finding strength in God is a privilege shared by men and women. Session #3 began with a story abut Joan of Arc. She was an illiterate teenager who lead France to several victories over the English Army. Her leadership is credited with breaking the air of superiority held by England over France.
          What did young Joan receive for her acts of heroism in following God's will? She captured and put on trial by church folks. Accused of many crimes and found guilty, this hero was sentenced to execution by burning. Overcoming hardship and struggle does not always look pretty.
          Several other stories were used during our discussion on resiliency. Too often we get stuck in bad baits or abusive situation because we fear the steps required to change our lives. Like a mouse caught in a humane mouse trap, the mouse will not leave its trap when the door is opened. It cowers in the back of the trap just inches from freedom. The mouse only leaves when it is forced to leave.
          Change is hard, especially when it involves conflict. We shared Bible stories about David (another teenager) defeating a giant when others ran. We shared from Luke 5:1-5 where Peter is told by Jesus to cast his nets out into the deep, even after he ahd fished all night and caught nothing. Resiliency tries again and again.
          Our lead in story in the textbook was a true story about a young boy whose Dad was in jail. He made up fantasies about the Dad he wanted to have. All children want adad who loves them and they can tell stories about Dad being a hero.  
          It's wise to make a list of the habits that we've picked up from our Dads. Some of those habits should not be repeated. Being a strong an and a great dad takes effort and teachability.
          We're excited about this week as some of the Man Cave guys from the Sunshine Rescue Mission will leave the Cave for Community Engagement. We'll be doing some service work for the NAOMI House.
          Please contact us if you have any questions about Man Cave. Thanks for your time. Go do something nice for somebody. Jesus loves you and so do we.
#mancave #strongmen #JLYASDW

          Man Cave is famous for something we do called "Power Moment Mentoring." That means we mentor in the power of the current emotional moment where guys are. 
          We do follow a regular curriculum, but that takes second place to the emotional needs that present themselves in the current moment. Porn is an issue that's destroyed many men and their relationships with women and children. 
          Last week 7-16-20) our plan was to discuss building our own personal Man-Code-4-Life during Session #2.
​(You can read about Session #2 here.) We did that. but several other topics always pop up and porn took center stage. The Head Coach in a Man Cave is given the freedom to go in the direction that's needed by the men. Our Life Manual for Men covers many life issues, but we realize life hardly ever happens in the same order of the chapters we've written.
​          The following story is true and we share the story to help men understand the dangers of porn.           

          That was the headline in the Buffalo News. The story was a about a Teacher who was found in possession of child pornography. He was telling his story in the hopes that other men wouldn't fall into the same devil's trap that destroyed his life as a Teacher.
          The mere thought of someone having child porn is vile to most people, but this man didn't begin this habit overnight. He started with what they call soft-porn and gradually descended into the pits of hell. He said that the pictures caused him to slide down a slippery slope into hell. It became an insatiable addiction and spiraled out of control.
          First he looked at pictures of naked people. Then he lusted after action pictures. Then he lusted after the vileness of seeing children abused. It didn't happen over night, it was a process of following one bad temptation into an even more despicable temptation with each sleazy step. His self-respect left him. His character became so vile that he was repugnant to himself. 
          In the Man Cave we urged men to guard their thought life. One look can lead to another. Flee temptation, don't give the devil a foothold through porn. A man must respect himself before he can respect others. Porn is born through abuse of women and children. Men must take a stand against depravity.
                   
“Be very careful about what you think.
 Your thoughts run your life.” ~ Proverbs 4:23Thanks 
 
“Flee from sexual immorality.
Every other sin a person commits is outside the body,
but the sexually immoral person
sins against his own body.” ~ 1 Corinthians 6:18
 
“So give yourselves to God.
Stand against the devil,
and the devil will run away from you.” ~ James 4:7

          Thanks for your time. Go do something nice for somebody. Jesus loves you and so do we.
#mancave #strongmengreatdads #ywap4Life #JLYASDW
          

          Our Program in the Man Cave follows the textbook called Strong Men Great Dads - A Life Manual for Men. We use that as a guide for our teachings, but it's up to the guys to use it as their personal Life Manual.
          We can't tell the personal stories of the men in the Cave, but we do tell them many encouraging life stories. You can read about Session #2 in our textbook by going to: Man-Code-4-Life Session #2
          Today we covered many stories about men who use hard times and failures as stepping stones to success, Ken Metzger is a cancer-overcomer and the Author of a Potter's Perfect Piece. Michael Jordan is a Hall of Fame Basketball Player who was denied a spot on his high school varsity team. Billy was a boy who was laughed at by classmates for being slow, he invented a new way to fly paper airplanes. Adam was the first man to sin and the first man in the lineage of Christ.
          We talked about privilege and how some folks are born in to adversity and some are born into prosperity. Whether adversity or prosperity, God has endowed all of us with His Spirit of excellence. What we are given by God is the privilege of sharing His Love with others. Every human being is given the Privilege of God - the ability to freely give that which we have freely received.
          All men will experience failure. Embracing failure as a stepping stone to success will help us to become Strong Men. Thanks for your time. Go do something nice for somebody. Jesus loves you and so do we.
​#mancave #strongmen #ywap4Christ #JLYASDW

          The Man-Code-4-Life is your own personal Man-Code of Conduct. There are actions in life that you should do. There are actions in life that you shouldn’t do. Sometimes sin is something you didn’t do.
 
          Building a plan for how you will conduct your life will help you make wise decisions in the heat of the moment.
 
          The first sin in the Garden of Eden is not what Adam did, but rather what he didn’t do. Adam was supposed to work and guard the Garden. He failed to guard the garden.
          His second sin is not what he did, but rather what he didn’t do. He failed to protect his wife. He left her alone with the devil.
          A man with wisdom takes care of his home and his family. He is a leader in the home first and the community second. Adam blamed his wife for his own failures. Strong men own the blame. When the blame is not necessarily on their shoulders alone, they still go shoulder-to-shoulder and share the blame. Strong men take responsibility and actively pursue the process of righting the wrong.
 
Key-Word-4-Strong-Men
“And the Lord God took the man, and put him into the garden of Eden to dress it and to keep it.”
Genesis 2:15 KJV
Hebrew words from Strong’s Concordance for deeper understanding
Abad: Pronunciation: ä·vad'
to labour, work, do work
to work for another, serve another by labour
to serve as subjects
to serve (God)
 
shä·mar'
to keep, guard, observe, give heed
(Qal)
to keep, have charge of
to keep, guard, keep watch and ward, protect, save life
watch, watchman (participle)
to watch for, wait for
to watch, observe
to keep, retain, treasure up (in memory)
to keep (within bounds), restrain
to observe, celebrate, keep (sabbath or covenant or commands), perform (vow)
to keep, preserve, protect
to keep, reserve
 
You are a man.
You are a man of God.
You are a Guard for God.
You are an adversary of the devil.
You are a Warrior.
Please use the pages below to craft your own Personal Man-Code-4-Life. Leave us a message if we can help you or you need advice on launching a Man Cave.

          A Man Movement has started and it's spreading. Guys are gathering in Man Caves. Teachable Men - willing to be transparent, vulnerable and accountable. 
           We use a Life Manual called Strong Men Great Dads, but sometimes we just go with the flow of life. Sometimes we stop talking and call a guy who can't be there because he's sick or hurting. We stop what we're doing and make a prayer phone call. Guys have to demonstrate that they truly care for one another.
          Sometimes the subject of the weekly gathering is given to us by God. Yes. this is a Biblically based Leadership program for men. We need to know how to love the same way that God loves us.Sometimes a guy is going through a difficult life situation. We become listeners and ask god for the wisdom to help him know that we've got his back.
          So far we've launched two Man Caves in the midst of a pandemic.We believe that many more will be launched soon. This Man Movement is about men helping each other respect themselves, respect women and know how to be responsible fathers. 
          We can't tell you the details of what is shared inside a man Cave. We have a "ManCode4Life" that we live by; "What happens in the Man Cave, Stays in the Man Cave." Each week we'll give you a glimpse of the teachings with out the personal information shared by the Man Cavers.
          If you are Man or know a Man who is hungering to join a Man Movement and enter a Man Cave, please contact us. Time is of the essence for Men to ManUp!
​          Thanks for your time. Go do something nice for somebody. Jesus loves you and so do we.