Pruning is Painful

I sat across the coffee table from a dear friend today. Sometimes he is a mentor, sometimes a boss, sometimes an authority, sometimes a teammate but today he was a friend. Without knowing it, he said what I needed to hear, "Pruning is painful".

I woke up feeling a little beat up because of my shortcomings that were brought to the surface in the last couple days. The pruning he spoke of comes from John 15. Jesus said, "I am the vine, and my Father is the gardener. He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes so that it will be even more fruitful."

Thankfully this reminded me that while pruning is often a painful process their is great purpose in it. For whatever reason I was reminded of how much God loves me. Maybe you can relate?

Evolution vs. Creation

"The past couple weeks a lot of questions about my faith have come up and i wanted to know if you could maybe give me some advice. the biggest question that's come up is about "the Beginning"...i have always believed that God created this world(i still do), but we watched a video in a bible study that explains that evolutionary creation of the world is such a flawed concept. it talked about how intelligent design is the most plausible explanation, BUT they said that evolution AFTER creation is possible...as long as i believe that God created everything, including evolution, is it wrong to think that the creation story is just an explanation of what people thought happened "in the beginning"?" -Chris


First of all, you must remember this: "All scripture is God breathed.."2 Tim 3:16. God's Word is perfect and literally written. If there isn't absolute truth our faith in Christ would be worthless. If the Genesis story is "just an explanation of what people thought happened" our entire faith would be based off of man's ideas. We would be no different that Buddhists, Mormons, Scientologists, etc. The story of creation and the fall of man is the foundation for the Christian faith.

I want you to read Matthew Ch 4 where the Devil Tempts Jesus in the desert. You will see that the Devil twists scripture in an attempt to lure Jesus into sin. The evil one uses the same tactics today. When we become believers the enemy has to change his strategy. One strategy he uses with Christians is to weaken their faith, or create doubt, by twisting our understanding of the scriptures.

The enemy has developed a brilliant plan to crush Christianity by using Darwin's theory and seducing the science world to believe this theory as truth. The truth is that amongst the millions of fossil discoveries they have found no "transitional species" to support the theory of "Macro Evolution". It remains an unproven theory. Note: "Micro Evolution" is proven. ME is evolution that takes place w/in the species. For example: the variations in the breed of dogs...they have unique changes and specializations over time but they are still dogs.

Anything is possible with God. The man of God must sift through a world of deception and filter everything through the Word of God to find truth. You will find great resources on Creation/Evolution on the following website: http://www.drdino.com/
You can watch their videos for free. They will show you the science that the Evolutionist doesn't want you to see.

I love your heart Chris. I was an Cultural Christian and an Evolutionist until I was 24. I have a biology related degree from Iowa State and saw things no other way until my faith required me to seek out the truth. For two years I studied the science supporting creation and a young earth and my world/faith has never been the same.

Connections with David

Recently in my spiritual walk of faith with the LORD, I found that living a life for Christ is not the norm for even Christian teens, let alone the rest of the secular world. Most guys care more about who can say the biggest swear words, who has the most tackles in the football game, who has the "hottest girl"....and the list goes on.. They seem as if they only care about their relationship with Christ on Sunday. It really has discouraged me in the last couple of weeks when even some of the guys who I would say I am close too have fallen into this trap of being what I call a "man of the world" No one cares intently for "Pressing on towards the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus." - Philippians 3:14. I feel sometimes as if I am in this spiritual race alone, and everyone is too lazy or undriven to get on their feet and run towards the cross.
One of my spiritual hero's David was coined "as a man of God." He could relate to my (or anyone else who is feeling this way) struggles. He even was alone in a cave because his own people had outcast them! This idea of being alone can be shown through Psalms 14:2- "The LORD looks down from heaven on the sons of man to see if there are any who understand, any who seek God." the Lord admits himself that there will be times when no one understands or cares to seek God.

Though these times may be difficult, We all will press on like Paul said and continue on my brothers of Christ. Prayer will be essential to survival, for the Lord charges us to pray continually. ( As for the men that are of the ways of the world, encouragement and prayer for their sake is all that we can do. 1st Thessalonians 5:16-18-16Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus!

Be Strong My Brothers In Christ.

Reflective Thinking on the Arizona Cardinals Victory

Reflective thinking on a football game?? Yeah I know, how do you get spiritual over a football game. The Apostle Paul encourages us to "make the most of every opportunity". Last night, the Arizona Cardinals defeated the Philadelphia Eagles for the opportunity to play in the Superbowl XLIII. As always, Kurt Warner deflected the glory to Jesus Christ in the post game interview. I am so thankful and encouraged when athletes like Kurt Warner and Tim Tebow boldly proclaim Jesus. These two guys consistently make the most of every opportunity.

This morning I had an awful time getting out of bed. Monday's start early because I have Bible study with the 7th grade Mighty Men. Satan always attacks me in these moments because I am so susceptible. At 5am the alarm clock goes off and it's dark, cold and my stomach churns because my body wants to just fall back to sleep. There are no lights, video cameras, no audience yet God has given me the opportunity to meet with Him on Monday mornings. Not only that, but I have been given the opportunity to teach His Word to the next generation. Forgive me for ever wavering.

Thanks you Kurt Warner. I became a Cardinals fan just to hear you rep Christ in your post game interview. I will be routing for you in two weeks knowing you will make the most of that opportunity as well.

You can see Kurt Warner at Men at the Cross:

www.menatthecross.org

"I will never travel through Louisiana without taking a swamp boat tour"

As many of you know from facebook and twitter that my New Year's "Revolution" this year is that I will never travel through Louisiana without taking a swamp boat tour. Ashley and I have continued our journey through this magical state. We are know in New Orleans and headed to Alexandria shortly. Our journey will conclude in Baton Rouge-where I intend on selecting the shadiest Swamp Boat operation we can find-naturally Ashley is very apprehensive but somebody has to take pictures of me holding an Alligator!!

Swamp boat tour is on...I will keep you posted!!

Kanakuk Movie Tour...

We are back on the Kanakuk Movie Tour this week through Louisiana. I have a couple of goals. First, I take Ashley on a swampboat tour and wrestle an alligator. 2. Eat Cajun every day. 3. Put as many Kanakuk kids on Jumping stilts as possible. So far we are setting pace to achieve all of those goals!! If I can pass anything on to the next generation it is this: set goals and then do um

Last night we were in Shreveport, LA. Above I am on the jumping stilts with Danny Felty, Matt and Shawn Williams and James Haynes, aka a bunch of Studs!!

Yeah so Matt Williams is a stud and happens to be a natural on jumping stilts.

This is my new best friend James. James is as fearless as they come. He will no doubt be a warrior at K2 in a couple years. 

K2 Musical: Episode 6

Sorry I have taken so long to continue the series....We had some technical difficulties uploading the video and I got very sidetracked. For like two months. Anywho, Episode 5 was a recap to we leap forward to Episode 6 as the saga continues. K2 Musical, enjoy. Episodes 7 & 8 will be posted next week!

Bird Huntin!

This weekend we had the 2008 K2 Leadership team come to Branson to Dream up K2 2009. We spent long hours in the hot tub brainstorming parties, Klife, FUAGNEM and opening day. I must say the weekend was a great success. Toby Pardon, our K2 Maintenance Head, hosted us at his bird ranch as well! It was amazing!
Billy "Hightide" Heydel killed his first bird ever...and five more to follow.
There's me on my new jumping stilts!
There's Don Ford laughing at me after I wiped out. You know it's bad when your arm is sticking out your back.
TK, Jared and myself meanmuggin it.

We killed them.

Beans are a vegetable and NOT a fruit=you want proof here it is!

Vote for me in this contest!

Submit entry

Contest details

Hello,
I just wanted to send an email to see if there was anyway you could lend me a hand. David Holland (k7 event director and orlando klife leader) and I (8 year kamper and klife volunteer at Orlando klife) made a video for a Bush's beans contest this past month. They wanted to convey that beans are a vegetable and not a fruit. Anyway, we made the final five of this contest that had a hundred videos or so. Now it all depends on votes to win and we're doing all we can to get people to vote. The winner receives five thousand dollars and a trip for four to New York City to perform our "beanchant" in time square with Drew Lachey. Not only a really fun opportunity but also a great opportunity to be a light in such a fun way. The link to the page is above . If there is anyway you could put this on the news section of the website that would be fantastic. Voting can be done once a day and a login is required. Which means your email is required but no junkmail or spam is sent so its no big deal to give them your email. The voting ends January twenty third and I will be sure to let you know how it turns out.

Thank you so much for your help,
Kyle Sapp

Friends lets ban together and join this worthy cause!!!

AMPEC: Understand your Bible better with one word!

I am teaching Matthew to my 7th grade Mighty Men. This morning we talked about the background of Matthew and I used a simple acronym I was taught in the institute. The guys really caught on and I was reminded of how simple and effective this acronym is in simplifying the structure of the Bible. Thought I would throw it at you...hope it helps. This is worth writing down in your Bible somewhere.

Anticipation: The message of the Old Testament is summed up as the Anticipation of Christ
Manifestation: Matthew, Mark, Luke and John. The Gospels are the manifestation of Christ
Proclamation: Book of Acts. The message of Christ is spread throughout the World. The Beginnings of the Church
Explanation: Romans-Jude. Authors of the Letters to the Churches give explanation of the new faith in Jesus Christ
Culmination: Revelation. Gods description of Victory in Christ and the Culmination of all things.

On a less serious note: I have wiped out 4 times this weekend on my jumping stilts...I am getting dangerously comfortable on them!!