Mancamp

The countless number of people that have given their lives in service to this country and have given me the freedoms that I enjoy today and likely take for granted on a daily basis is staggering. This Memorial Day we honor and celebrate those that paid this ultimate sacrifice to give their own life for the betterment of others. We all too often miss what others do for us in our lives wrapped up around ourselves, but take a moment and just thank God for those men and women that gave their lives. Thank you to the family members of those that lost a loved one for our country as well!

https://campunahliya-prod.oneeach.dev/spring-and-fall-volunteer-work-weekends

Spring and Fall Volunteer Work Weekends Each Spring and Fall, multi-generational alumni from across Wisconsin come together to help camp get ready for the upcoming season. From wood splitting to dock building, from painting to program set-up, we rely on an army of volunteers to keep camp looking beautiful and operating great! 2024 Dates.....

Breakfast is served and Mancamp 2024 is under way!

1 week from now is one of my favorite parts of Mancamp that I am looking forward to. Getting up there early, helping unload the trailer and getting things setup, but then having an hour or two before things kick into gear. Walking around the mostly empty camp, breathing in the quiet solitude of winter in the woods. Spending time in prayer and contemplation. Quality time with my youngest son on the drive up and for awhile before he is off on his own "young man" adventures for the weekend. So good.

20 more days until Mancamp! Here is your Mancamp 411 of the day...

Q: What should I bring to Mancamp?
• Clothing for indoor and outdoor activities (swim trunks for the sauna).
• Toiletries and a towel.
• Bedding (sleeping bag/blankets/pillow).
• Snacks to share in your cabin.
• Beverages for yourself, but no alcohol allowed.
• Lunch items if you desire (most guys don’t - usually plenty to eat).
• Bible (if you need one, let us know).
• Anything else you need for indoor or outdoor activities- cards, games, etc.

21 days until Mancamp!

Here is your daily Mancamp 411:

Q: What does the schedule look like at Mancamp?
A: Thursday night is time to get settled in and get to the know the guys in your cabin. On both Friday and Saturday we have a big breakfast followed by a morning speaker. Then it's free time until the evening when we have dinner together followed by another speaker, then more free time! Sunday is Breakfast, a morning devotional and cleanup time. During free time there are some planned activities such as a trip to the gun range, bible study, co****le tournament, and outdoor football, boot hockey, or dodgeball games. Other than that there is so much to do... or not to do. As we always say, "you will get out of Mancamp what you put into Mancamp."

And I almost forgot - Saturday afternoon we do baptisms in the lake for those who would like to make their public declaration of faith in that manner.

FYI - For those of you who purchased a Mancamp T-shirt, we had to modify the design to help make the printing process more successful. This is the new design for the front. The back is still the same. I like this better myself.

24 days until Mancamp! There is still time to register but cabins are filling up fast.

1 month until Mancamp 2024!

A quick reminder on apparel. We will not have shirts and sweatshirts at camp this year and will not be placing another order. If you want a t-shirt or quarter-zip sweatshirt you will need to place you order online through the registration link by this Friday. If you already registered, you can still use the link to order. We will, however have winter beanies available at camp.

Registration is open for Mancamp. Click the link below to sign up. Pay attention to the drop down menu to choose a cabin, otherwise it will randomly assign you.

Also tees and sweatshirts are only for sale as part of registration this year. We may have a few extras at camp but not placing a 2nd order.

ManCamp 2024 An extended weekend away to grow your relationship with God and with other men of faith.

This is a different sort of year for me this year. With this holiday season I read something that had some points for healthy living and I wanted to share these points with my own spin on it in case it is useful for anyone else:

• Listen to your emotions (I’m speaking mainly for men, but this applies to women as well)

I think as men we cringe at this and think of emotions more as a woman thing. But we have them guys! We just express them differently, sometimes not in healthy ways. I am analytical by nature, not everyone is, but I think it is important to use our emotions as indicators to then look at why we are feeling that way. I have felt down or low at times lately and then I’ve felt good, it doesn’t make sense what turns it but I have to look at what drives me one direction or the other. And honestly focusing on God, his promises, the hope that comes from him, and the strength that comes from him helps it go in the right direction.

• Have a plan

A key to mental health is having a plan, regardless of how simple it is. We all feel better when we take care of things. Without a plan, you will fail to take care of anything and this does not help you feel good about life. If you fail to plan, you might as well plan to fail!

• Adjust expectations

Expectations are a killer. Seldom are expectations ever met. We don’t meet God’s expectations so don’t hold others to meet yours. This can be difficult at times if not kept in check because we all naturally do it. And this holiday season, scrape your expectations and just enjoy every minute of the life God has given you. Every minute is a gift from God.

• Continue healthy habits

This one is challenging at times but I think you do feel so much better about life when you are doing whatever works for you to be active and eat healthy (and that is all relative to your norm and your goals). Everyone is in different spots and has different vices, the point is do better and feel better.

• Stay connected

Whether it is the holidays or any day, the worst thing we can do is put ourselves on an island because we think we are alone and are different from anybody else then. But though we are all unique and wonderfully made by God, we all bleed the same, we all hurt from things that hurt, we all feel good about things, we all struggle with things, we all have freedom from things, and we all are still slaves to some things. Our “things” are just different. But we are all equal at the foot of the cross. And we all need others in our life. Utilize what is out there for you and those people that are there for you.

My hope and my prayer is that this helps someone out there as it helps me just writing it. God bless guys! And may God bless you this holiday season as we celebrate the reason for our hope.

Iron sharpens iron, and one man sharpens another. (Proverbs 27:17, ESV) Mankind making mankind better, by the grace of God.

New 15th Anniversary Mancamp merch! We have T-shirts as always, but this year we added a quarter-zip sweatshirt with an embroidered 15th anniversary crest, and fleece-lined winter beanies in 3 colors.

We will be having some new merchandise this year - Mancamp Beanies! We need your help deciding which version we should sell. Let us know your vote in the comments below.

Mark your calendars for Mancamp 2024 - February 1st-4th. Registration will be opening soon!

Amen!!!

2023 Mancamp Apparel: White performance fleece hooded sweatshirts and silver performance tees. We will have a limited supply available at camp, but can place an additional order if there is ample interest beyond our supply.

Hello Gentlemen!

Extravaganza at Celebration Church is upon us and we are still in need of volunteers to help serve on Saturday, Dec. 3. Some of you served last year and some have already signed up to serve this year. (If you have already replied to an email or signed up in the lobby, you're on my list.) What I am asking of you right now is to consider spending the morning with us and inviting someone to join you. I know several of you started serving at Celebration through this event and I am so thankful. We need about 30 more volunteers. It always comes together, I have no doubts there.

Here are the current specifics for the Extravaganza. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me. And KNOW that I think you men are the most amazing volunteers we have! (And, yes, I am a little partial to you all.)

Celebration Church Christmas Extravaganza
Date: Saturday, DEC. 3, 2022
Time: Men arrive by 7:30 am and will be done by 12 pm
What to wear: We ask the men to wear black pants, a white shirt, and a Christmas tie, if you have one. (I do have a few extra ties if you cannot find one. My box seems to get bigger each year because of those of you who bring an extra along. Thank you!)

I look forward to hearing from you! You can reply to me here, via text at 920-471-5093, or sign up in the lobby on Sunday.



If you have any questions, feel free to call or text at 920-471-5093, or see me at church.



Blessings to you and thank you for all that you do!



Brenda

Brenda Newdiger
920-471-5093
[email protected]

October 17, 2022
For Immediate Release

AMHERST, WI—Portage County Branch I Circuit Court Judge Michael Zell ruled Monday in favor of the Wisconsin Interscholastic Athletic Association’s (WIAA) decision stripping the Amherst High School football program of all of its 2022 victories prior to Friday’s win over Stratford. The ruling in favor of WIAA leaves the Amherst Falcons 1-8 on the season and ineligible for the state tournament playoffs which will begin Friday. Attorney Keith A. Bruett of Quarles & Brady LLP argued the case on behalf of the Tomorrow River School District (TRSD) as it sought a temporary restraining order allowing it an opportunity to gain entry into the playoffs. Amherst learned early last week that it had allegedly had a player on its roster who had exhausted his high school eligibility.

Attorney Bruett emphasized that the WIAA over-reached in assessing an every-game forfeiture decision, something TRSD District Administrator Mike Richie termed as a “death penalty.” Bruett pointed out that Amherst had defeated three of its opponents, Manawa 49-0, Spencer/Columbus Catholic 54-0 and Nekoosa 38-0. As such, all of those games ended up being “running clock” games in the second half. Bruett said that the WIAA’s own rules allow consideration of the player’s impact on the outcome of the game when assessing ineligible player penalties. Zell responded in his ruling that the WIAA Board of Control’s unanimous 9-0 vote following Amherst’s unsuccessful appeal last week factored into the court’s decision.

“We were simply suggesting that common sense should prevail in a case like this,” Richie said after the ruling was delivered. “Everyone agrees that there was no intent by anyone here to play an ineligible player. We didn’t know until last week. WIAA had the opportunity to apply common sense during our appeal in front of their Board of Control. They could have decided to allow those three uncontested victories to stand, making us 3-5 to that point in the season. That would have been painful to our football program, our school and community, but we would have accepted that conclusion because it has some basis in logic.”

The student-athlete in question home-schooled in the fall of 2018 and played (freshman/jayvee) football for Manawa. He was not enrolled in any classes in the Manawa School District. WIAA regulations state that a student-athlete may not compete in WIAA sports for more than four consecutive years. As such, this would have meant that the 2021-2022 school year would have been the final year of eligibility for this student.

Neither Groshek, nor school administration were aware of the home-schooled student’s Manawa football participation until informed by the WIAA on October 10. For the 2019-2020 school year, the student in question enrolled at Stevens Point Christian Academy (SPCA) as a freshman, according to his Cumulative File records at TRSD. Further, his Cumulative File paperwork from SPCA states the following: “came to SPCA in the fall of 2019 from home schooling. No other records available.” In 2020 he open-enrolled at the TRSD as a sophomore.

District officials state that the information that they have on file from SPCA shows that the student-athlete did not play any sports as a freshman there. It appears that the school, which is not WIAA affiliated, only offers basketball as a boys’ sport. He also did not compete in football during his sophomore school year (2020-21) in Amherst. Instead he played soccer for Amherst in fall of 2020. In 2021-22 he joined the Amherst football team for his first season of football competition at the school as a junior.

Amherst defeated Stratford 28-21 in Marshfield on Friday, October 14, its final game of the season.

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Daily reading

Luke 24:1-53 NLT
[1] But very early on Sunday morning the women went to the tomb, taking the spices they had prepared. [2] They found that the stone had been rolled away from the entrance. [3] So they went in, but they didn't find the body of the Lord Jesus. [4] As they stood there puzzled, two men suddenly appeared to them, clothed in dazzling robes. [5] The women were terrified and bowed with their faces to the ground. Then the men asked, "Why are you looking among the dead for someone who is alive? [6] He isn't here! He is risen from the dead! Remember what he told you back in Galilee, [7] that the Son of Man must be betrayed into the hands of sinful men and be crucified, and that he would rise again on the third day." [8] Then they remembered that he had said this. [9] So they rushed back from the tomb to tell his eleven disciples-and everyone else-what had happened. [10] It was Mary Magdalene, Joanna, Mary the mother of James, and several other women who told the apostles what had happened. [11] But the story sounded like nonsense to the men, so they didn't believe it. [12] However, Peter jumped up and ran to the tomb to look. Stooping, he peered in and saw the empty linen wrappings; then he went home again, wondering what had happened. [13] That same day two of Jesus' followers were walking to the village of Emmaus, seven miles from Jerusalem. [14] As they walked along they were talking about everything that had happened. [15] As they talked and discussed these things, Jesus himself suddenly came and began walking with them. [16] But God kept them from recognizing him. [17] He asked them, "What are you discussing so intently as you walk along?" They stopped short, sadness written across their faces. [18] Then one of them, Cleopas, replied, "You must be the only person in Jerusalem who hasn't heard about all the things that have happened there the last few days." [19] "What things?" Jesus asked. "The things that happened to Jesus, the man from Nazareth," they said. "He was a prophet who did powerful miracles, and he was a mighty teacher in the eyes of God and all the people. [20] But our leading priests and other religious leaders handed him over to be condemned to death, and they crucified him. [21] We had hoped he was the Messiah who had come to rescue Israel. This all happened three days ago. [22] "Then some women from our group of his followers were at his tomb early this morning, and they came back with an amazing report. [23] They said his body was missing, and they had seen angels who told them Jesus is alive! [24] Some of our men ran out to see, and sure enough, his body was gone, just as the women had said." [25] Then Jesus said to them, "You foolish people! You find it so hard to believe all that the prophets wrote in the Scriptures. [26] Wasn't it clearly predicted that the Messiah would have to suffer all these things before entering his glory?" [27] Then Jesus took them through the writings of Moses and all the prophets, explaining from all the Scriptures the things concerning himself. [28] By this time they were nearing Emmaus and the end of their journey. Jesus acted as if he were going on, [29] but they begged him, "Stay the night with us, since it is getting late." So he went home with them. [30] As they sat down to eat, he took the bread and blessed it. Then he broke it and gave it to them. [31] Suddenly, their eyes were opened, and they recognized him. And at that moment he disappeared! [32] They said to each other, "Didn't our hearts burn within us as he talked with us on the road and explained the Scriptures to us?" [33] And within the hour they were on their way back to Jerusalem. There they found the eleven disciples and the others who had gathered with them, [34] who said, "The Lord has really risen! He appeared to Peter." [35] Then the two from Emmaus told their story of how Jesus had appeared to them as they were walking along the road, and how they had recognized him as he was breaking the bread. [36] And just as they were telling about it, Jesus himself was suddenly standing there among them. "Peace be with you," he said. [37] But the whole group was startled and frightened, thinking they were seeing a ghost! [38] "Why are you frightened?" he asked. "Why are your hearts filled with doubt? [39] Look at my hands. Look at my feet. You can see that it's really me. Touch me and make sure that I am not a ghost, because ghosts don't have bodies, as you see that I do." [40] As he spoke, he showed them his hands and his feet. [41] Still they stood there in disbelief, filled with joy and wonder. Then he asked them, "Do you have anything here to eat?" [42] They gave him a piece of broiled fish, [43] and he ate it as they watched. [44] Then he said, "When I was with you before, I told you that everything written about me in the law of Moses and the prophets and in the Psalms must be fulfilled." [45] Then he opened their minds to understand the Scriptures. [46] And he said, "Yes, it was written long ago that the Messiah would suffer and die and rise from the dead on the third day. [47] It was also written that this message would be proclaimed in the authority of his name to all the nations, beginning in Jerusalem: 'There is forgiveness of sins for all who repent.' [48] You are witnesses of all these things. [49] "And now I will send the Holy Spirit, just as my Father promised. But stay here in the city until the Holy Spirit comes and fills you with power from heaven." [50] Then Jesus led them to Bethany, and lifting his hands to heaven, he blessed them. [51] While he was blessing them, he left them and was taken up to heaven. [52] So they worshiped him and then returned to Jerusalem filled with great joy. [53] And they spent all of their time in the Temple, praising God.

The apostles, the ones Jesus himself chose to follow him, even gave up their belief once he was crucified. They even called him a prophet instead of the messiah. Jesus reappears to the apostles and gives them their instructions. Do you think he had to come back and show himself to them after the crucifixion? If some had already thought he was a prophet instead of the messiah, I assume they needed to see him to continue the ministry. All these things needed to happen for them, for us, and for everyone. Jesus willingly gave up his life for all mankind. Thank you Jesus for loving me before I knew you.…….

Daily reading

Luke 23:2-9,11,13-18,20-25,33-43,46-47,50-54 NLT
[2] They began to state their case: "This man has been leading our people astray by telling them not to pay their taxes to the Roman government and by claiming he is the Messiah, a king." [3] So Pilate asked him, "Are you the king of the Jews?" Jesus replied, "You have said it." [4] Pilate turned to the leading priests and to the crowd and said, "I find nothing wrong with this man!" [5] Then they became insistent. "But he is causing riots by his teaching wherever he goes-all over Judea, from Galilee to Jerusalem!" [6] "Oh, is he a Galilean?" Pilate asked. [7] When they said that he was, Pilate sent him to Herod Antipas, because Galilee was under Herod's jurisdiction, and Herod happened to be in Jerusalem at the time. [8] Herod was delighted at the opportunity to see Jesus, because he had heard about him and had been hoping for a long time to see him perform a miracle. [9] He asked Jesus question after question, but Jesus refused to answer. [11] Then Herod and his soldiers began mocking and ridiculing Jesus. Finally, they put a royal robe on him and sent him back to Pilate. [13] Then Pilate called together the leading priests and other religious leaders, along with the people, [14] and he announced his verdict. "You brought this man to me, accusing him of leading a revolt. I have examined him thoroughly on this point in your presence and find him innocent. [15] Herod came to the same conclusion and sent him back to us. Nothing this man has done calls for the death penalty. [16-17] So I will have him flogged, and then I will release him." [18] Then a mighty roar rose from the crowd, and with one voice they shouted, "Kill him, and release Barabbas to us!" [20] Pilate argued with them, because he wanted to release Jesus. [21] But they kept shouting, "Crucify him! Crucify him!" [22] For the third time he demanded, "Why? What crime has he committed? I have found no reason to sentence him to death. So I will have him flogged, and then I will release him." [23] But the mob shouted louder and louder, demanding that Jesus be crucified, and their voices prevailed. [24] So Pilate sentenced Jesus to die as they demanded. [25] As they had requested, he released Barabbas, the man in prison for insurrection and murder. But he turned Jesus over to them to do as they wished.

Each time I read this I am amazed how Pilate wanted nothing to do with this decision. When he heard that Jesus was a Galilean, it almost seems like he was relieved that he could let someone else make that decision. When Jesus was sent back by Herod, Pilate again didn’t want to not found any reason for the death penalty. The religious leader though had done all the programming to get the crowd to force Jesus’s death. Pilate in other gospels actually washes his hands after they get his ex*****on. Again showing that Pilate still didn’t believe in this punnishment and the blood was not on his hands.

[33] When they came to a place called The Skull, they nailed him to the cross. And the criminals were also crucified-one on his right and one on his left. [34] Jesus said, "Father, forgive them, for they don't know what they are doing." And the soldiers gambled for his clothes by throwing dice. [35] The crowd watched and the leaders scoffed. "He saved others," they said, "let him save himself if he is really God's Messiah, the Chosen One." [36] The soldiers mocked him, too, by offering him a drink of sour wine. [37] They called out to him, "If you are the King of the Jews, save yourself!" [38] A sign was fastened above him with these words: "This is the King of the Jews." [39] One of the criminals hanging beside him scoffed, "So you're the Messiah, are you? Prove it by saving yourself-and us, too, while you're at it!" [40] But the other criminal protested, "Don't you fear God even when you have been sentenced to die? [41] We deserve to die for our crimes, but this man hasn't done anything wrong." [42] Then he said, "Jesus, remember me when you come into your Kingdom." [43] And Jesus replied, "I assure you, today you will be with me in paradise." [46] Then Jesus shouted, "Father, I entrust my spirit into your hands!" And with those words he breathed his last. [47] When the Roman officer overseeing the ex*****on saw what had happened, he worshiped God and said, "Surely this man was innocent."

The criminal is one person that has always surprised me. The one criminal tries getting Jesus to use his authority, the other admits his guilt and even speaks the truth that they deserve their punnishment yet Jesus does not. The criminal could have been sitting there blaming others, crying out his innocence, trying to get them to change their minds. I can only assume that he felt Jesus presence and realized who was there on the cross next to him. There really was no reason to do anything but ask forgiveness from Jesus for what he knew was his fault. He asks jesu to just remember him, and instead Jesus will bring him to heaven with him.

[50] Now there was a good and righteous man named Joseph. He was a member of the Jewish high council, [51] but he had not agreed with the decision and actions of the other religious leaders. He was from the town of Arimathea in Judea, and he was waiting for the Kingdom of God to come. [52] He went to Pilate and asked for Jesus' body. [53] Then he took the body down from the cross and wrapped it in a long sheet of linen cloth and laid it in a new tomb that had been carved out of rock. [54] This was done late on Friday afternoon, the day of preparation, as the Sabbath was about to begin.

This righteous man seems to be the only one that is trying to do the right thing. He probably couldn’t stop the ex*****on though he didn’t agree with it. All he can do is pick up the pieces from the evil that was done.

Daily reading

Luke 22:21-22,31-34,47-53,55-62 NLT
[21] "But here at this table, sitting among us as a friend, is the man who will betray me. [22] For it has been determined that the Son of Man must die. But what sorrow awaits the one who betrays him." [31] "Simon, Simon, Satan has asked to sift each of you like wheat. [32] But I have pleaded in prayer for you, Simon, that your faith should not fail. So when you have repented and turned to me again, strengthen your brothers." [33] Peter said, "Lord, I am ready to go to prison with you, and even to die with you." [34] But Jesus said, "Peter, let me tell you something. Before the rooster crows tomorrow morning, you will deny three times that you even know me." [47] But even as Jesus said this, a crowd approached, led by Judas, one of the twelve disciples. Judas walked over to Jesus to greet him with a kiss. [48] But Jesus said, "Judas, would you betray the Son of Man with a kiss?" [49] When the other disciples saw what was about to happen, they exclaimed, "Lord, should we fight? We brought the swords!" [50] And one of them struck at the high priest's slave, slashing off his right ear. [51] But Jesus said, "No more of this." And he touched the man's ear and healed him. [52] Then Jesus spoke to the leading priests, the captains of the Temple guard, and the elders who had come for him. "Am I some dangerous revolutionary," he asked, "that you come with swords and clubs to arrest me? [53] Why didn't you arrest me in the Temple? I was there every day. But this is your moment, the time when the power of darkness reigns." [55] The guards lit a fire in the middle of the courtyard and sat around it, and Peter joined them there. [56] A servant girl noticed him in the firelight and began staring at him. Finally she said, "This man was one of Jesus' followers!" [57] But Peter denied it. "Woman," he said, "I don't even know him!" [58] After a while someone else looked at him and said, "You must be one of them!" "No, man, I'm not!" Peter retorted. [59] About an hour later someone else insisted, "This must be one of them, because he is a Galilean, too." [60] But Peter said, "Man, I don't know what you are talking about." And immediately, while he was still speaking, the rooster crowed. [61] At that moment the Lord turned and looked at Peter. Suddenly, the Lord's words flashed through Peter's mind: "Before the rooster crows tomorrow morning, you will deny three times that you even know me." [62] And Peter left the courtyard, weeping bitterly.

Can you imagine being Judas? Jesus tells everyone that one of them will betray him. You have just made a deal to betray him. Yet he doesn’t tell who will do the betraying. Is that so that the betraying will still happen? If he told everyone it was Judas, don’t you think they would not have let Judas do so?

Can you imagine being Peter? Judas had already done the betraying, Peter has yet to do the denying but Jesus told him that he would. Peter probably believed there was no way but then there he was doing the unthinkable. To have Jesus look at you right after you had done it as well………

Daily reading

Luke 21:1-4 NLT
[1] While Jesus was in the Temple, he watched the rich people dropping their gifts in the collection box. [2] Then a poor widow came by and dropped in two small coins. [3] "I tell you the truth," Jesus said, "this poor widow has given more than all the rest of them. [4] For they have given a tiny part of their surplus, but she, poor as she is, has given everything she has."

I have always felt that this is one of the most powerful stories in the Bible. It is also one that shows incredible faith. The widow gave everything she had, she had faith that she would be taken care of after giving everything. How many of us would be able to do the same? I know we give from our surplus. We were giving at one point when we didn’t know if we would have enough and it always was. She gave everything that she owned, even though it was a small amount, it was everything that she owned. I hope to have as much faith as that widow someday……