The K2 Hearthrob, Kevin Harrison pops the question!!

"I knew for a long time that I loved Chelsea Brandel and that I planned to ask her to marry me. For some reason it was laid on my heart to wait and tell her that I loved her until I put a ring on her finger. I remember the first time I realized that I loved her and that I would spend the rest of my life with her. It was half way through second term last summer. I was trying to fall asleep but I was to restless. I thought at first my sleeplessness came from the K-Life that ended an hour ago, but it was more than that. Then it hit me. For the first time in my life I realized I was in love.
I would wait almost eight months before I said the words "I Love you."
Here is how it happened.
1 Corinthians 13 is the famous verse on love. It says that love is patient, that love is kind, and that love keeps no record of wrong.
For over a year, Chelsea has taught me what love means. So on the morning of February 25, she woke up and on her bible was a letter that had the first part of the bible verse on it. For the rest of the day she received letters from 1 Corinthians 13 and how she has demonstrated and has taught me what love is.
I showed up at the house around 6:30 that night to pick her up. The Lord had blessed me with a great night to go for a walk outside. At this point, I am starting to get anxious for I knew that soon I would tell my best friend that i loved her. I still had one letter to give her. The letter that set me up to say the phrase that was burning to get out. Back behind her house is a cross that sits up on a hill. As we were walking in front of the cross I gave her the last letter to read out loud. The letter finished with this, "When you are crazy and passionate about something, you are determined to do whatever it takes to be faithful. Through the bond of Jesus Christ, I look forward to finishing the race together. For love is...." With a nervous I never felt before, I began to say, "For love is patient, love is kind, it does not envy boast, it is not proud...It always protects, always trust, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails." I then dropped to a knee and for the first time told her that I loved her and that i wanted to marry her and spend the rest of my life with her. It is a moment I will never forget as we hugged in front of the cross. I realized that the love that I share with my fiance is a small example of the love that Christ showed us by dying on the cross. It is through the love of Christ that Chelsea and I began a long and fun journey of loving each other as Christ loved us." -Kevin Harrison

Of the Flesh or of Christ Jesus

There are two choices one can make. There is either one that is driven by desires of the flesh or one driven by the will of Christ Jesus.

It cannot be any simpler than that. Every choice we make comes down to these crossroads. We are split between them and many times, we run down that path motivated by our so called "needs" or something we desire that we think can satisfy us. Taking the right path often is the most difficult choice to make, for our hearts so often desire the path that is materialistic or pleasurable. The path of righteousness is not going to be the fun route at times. Did the way of the LORD seem like fun when Paul was flogged in Rome or when Christians were martyred for their belief in Christ?

Today this subject occurred to me when I was alone at my house for a good three hours. During that time, no could see any of the choices I made. Many times alone like this, I have fallen to the desires of my flesh and sinned in a way not honourable to the LORD. Again, I was at the crossroads of my choices- should I make the decision to fall into sinful desire or follow the path that the LORD wills me to pursue? Thank the Lord I took the straight path that leads to Him!

This is such an easy area for Men of Christ to fall in, for we are so near to the path that seems enjoyable, yet is not right, and so far from the upright one. It takes just one step to get moving though, and then you will find yourself running to the Cross instead of faltering. Be encouraged Men for we are in a daily battle against our flesh and we must prevail so that we can be stronger Men of Christ!

Albert Pujols and Steroids- "Someone to believe in"

Major League Baseball has been tarnished by the induction of the "steroid era". The greatest players in the league have dropped one by one: Barry Bonds, Roger Clemens (not sure in Clemens is officially "guilty" but he certainly has fallen from his platform), Mark McGwire and Alex Rodriguez to name a few. All of this disappointment leaves baseball fans looking for someone to believe in.

In the March 16, 2009 issue of Sports Illustrated Albert Pujols is featured in the article, "The Power to Believe" by Joe Posnanski. Posnanski boldly calls Pujols the best player in baseball. Anyone carrying that title is bound to be scrutinized and suspected for steroid use. Here's how Pujols responds, "'We're in this era where people want to judge other people,' Pujols says. 'And that's so sad.' He would like to leave it with those three words-that's so sad-but then people might wonder. So he continues: 'But it's like I always say, "Come and test me. Come and do whatever you want." Because you know what? There is something more important to me-my relationship with Jesus Christ and caring about others. More than this baseball. This baseball is nothing to me.'"

This is an incredible article and I encourage everyone to read it. Pujols has an amazing story, an amazing testimony, and he faithfully reps Christ throughout.

Thanks for your example Albert. We are proud of you.

Part 2: What will Heaven be like?

I have been studying Heaven, slowly but surely, in the last couple weeks. A couple days ago Ashley asked me, "Why are you studying Heaven so much?". That's a great question and it's important that we know why we are doing what we are doing in every aspect of life. After giving it some serious thought here is my answer:

In Paul's letter to the Church of Philippi he said, "Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus." From the creation of man God has created us to be in perfect fellowship with Him. That is our end goal and our ultimate destination according to His design. Paul lived in such a way that his focus on Heaven propelled him forward in the work of the Gospel.

Think about this for a moment: how many elite athlete's train without a specific goal in mind? None that I can think of. As strange as that thought is, this is typical of Christians. I asked a college Graduate and student in a year long Bible Institute what the eternal Heaven would be like and all he could tell me were some simple thoughts his mother told him about as a child. (To his credit, he hadn't studied Revelation yet in his coarse work). For the most part this guy was a Bible wizz kid yet he had very little knowledge of the goal that Paul speaks of. I am not dogging him by any means however I think this is an accurate picture of Christian's overall understanding of their Eternal Destination.

Ok, I know that's a second post on "What will Heaven be like?" without any questions answered. I am becoming more and more passionate about this and want to make sure I set this up adequately. Answers are on the way...stay tuned!

"A Football Game Gives Hope"

This video is incredible. Because of our sinful nature Christians often fall short of our calling. However, when believers in Jesus live out His example amazing things happen. This is an "amazing" example of the heart of Christ and his followers.

Kanakuk Skit Contest!! And the winner is...

As you know we have been holding a Kanakuk Skit Contest over the last week and 1/2. Thanks to all of you who submitted ideas. Regardless of whether you win or not it make sure to keep an eye out this summer for YOUR idea!! Well the verdict is in. Don Ford and his calves have chimed in!! Your winners are...

3rd Place: Danny Felty

There is this composer (guitar player, singer, whatev). He composes this AWESOME song, and really wants to share it with everyone he knows. When he gives/offers it to his friends as well as ask them to perform it in front of other people that don't know the song, they try to play it from their own interpretation (or dance to it), but it is not how the composer wanted it or intended for it to be. (It embarrasses the composer and the performer.) I am describing the skit as sad, but it can be very funny as well.

what the skit means is that God (the composer)has a plan (the song) for our lives, and when we don't follow his plan and do things that he says for us not to do, we loose people to christ and brings shame to us as well as "embarrasses (the right word?) " God. We should act as friends/believers of God.

2nd Place: "Worst Case Scenario" by Katie Fredrickson
So you could do like someone breaking a rule at Kamp and showing some random repercussion for doing it. Like have someone pretending to text or talking on the phone and their cabin mates walk in on them and they all start freaking out thinking that the person hates all of them since he's on the phone and not hanging out with them. But then show the good side of it and have him turn the phone in and say something corny like "you guys are all I need".
And then end it with some catch phrase like: "We think of the worst case scenarios so you don't have to!"

Or another one could be someone walking with their cabin and being like "Wait, I forgot my nalgene! Let me go back to the cabin and get it!" and all his friends are like "You know you aren't allowed to", and he's like "I'll be fine, it'll only take a second" and he runs back to the cabin and picks up a nalgene and turns around and starts to leave but he slips and hits his head. Then all of his cabin comes back a little later and wake him up saying that he missed a day better than Laid Back in Lampe Day and Warball combined. And he's really sad and is like "I'll never go back into the cabin alone again!"

.. "We think of the worst case scenarios so you don't have to!!"

GRAND PRIZE WINNER: Ashton Jacobs (this is really no suprise-dude thinks outside of the box all day everyday!!)

"Ever since the earth was created, a great evil has been threatening the great light that is for some reason (and unbeknown to most) is housed right at Kanakuk kamps! For centuries, brave and mighty men have fought to protect the relic from being destroyed. These men include:

The original Mohekan (sp?) (who then made the haka as his battle cry) circa 1500 AD

Pentathlon Bill

Joe White

Dawn Ford...

(without even knowing it) CHAZ

Chaci Laruse and his plethora of pals

Dawn ford

Brave, Cheif and the flaming Eagle

The Original Mohekan again (any other notable characters I forgot to mention)

There is also one text discovered that depicts a...woman...actually fighting against this evil (which you could make the Gato or something else) but of course we all know this is false and just their attempt to try and fit in with the guys. We all know that Chuck Norris was the character in that episode, but since all who witness Chuck Norris fight die of aneurysms, we cannot fully prove this clame."

All I have to say is, "WOW". Danny, Katie and Ashton you prizes are in the mail!! Thanks again for all your submissions. By the way, keep the ideas coming and I will see you this summer!!

Fatherly Love

I was asleep last night and woke up from a bad dream. I turned my iphone on and accidentally clicked on youtube. For some reason my iphone's history only had this one video on my history. I never recalled watching the video from my phone. Nervous, I clicked on it, only to recieve a complete surprise. The second video that I posted was the video that I watched last night and it was a true blessing to me and I hope it will be to you. Both these video's display an illustration of love, each father pouring out love to their sons. These reminded me of the great love that our Father in heaven has given to us.

"as the Father has loved me,so have I loved you. Abide in my love"
John 15:9 (ESV)

May these be a blessing to you as they were to me.

"Let love and faithfulness never leave you; bind them around your neck, write them on the tablet of your heart."
-Proverbs 3:3

Kanakuk Kamps Skit Idea Contest!!

Ladies and Gentleman, This spring we are in full swing...creatively speaking. One of my favorite things about Kanakuk Kamps are the crazy skits and skit characters who rock our world every summer. Last year we introduced a plethra of new skit characters: Carl Cleveland, Juan Guadalupe Enchilada Burro Nunez, the Jaguar from Equador, the Mohican, your friendly neighborhood Tongan, the Rocky Road Youth Group Troop and of course my friend and yours--Chachi Larussa, but his friends call him Chooch.

Anywho, I started a Facebook conversation with some kampers about the skit ideas and realized that there are some Mind-Blowing ideas out there that deserve a shot at the big time. So I have created this contest. Here are the rules:

1. Create a skit character, theme or on going skit that you think would be awesome at Kanakuk K2
2. All entries must be Kamp Appropriate
3. All entries may be submitted through Blog comments, my Facebook or email shay@kanakuk.com
4. All entries are due by next Wednesday March 18th at 5pm CST
5. Don Ford, his calves and myself will be the three Judges
6. Entries will be judged upon: Creativity, mind blowing awesomeness, out of the box thinking, recreatability, character development, funniness, and if Don Ford's calves like it.

The top three entries will receive a prize and the winners entry will be posted on Friday, March 20th. The prizes are below:
Grand Prize: Kanakuk Blanket, Soccer Socks, Nalgene, Bible and one of a kind Baseball Cap with Kanakuk Kamps accidentally printed upside down!!
2nd Place: Kanakuk Blanket and Bible
3rd Place: Kanakuk Baseball Cap, Tee Shirt and Nalgene

*I know all of my readers aren't necessarily "Bible Readers" so I would be happy to honor that and trade you out for comparable items if you wish.

What will heaven be like?

3 people die every second. Scripture says that our lives are but a breath. Picture your breath on a cold day. It hovers before you for a moment and vanishes the next. And so it is with our lives in the scope of eternity.

There are many opinions in regard to what happens after this life. Atheists, agnostics and many evolutionists claim that there is nothing. Hindu's believe in reincarnation. Most other world religions believe in some type of Heaven and/or Hell. Still others claim we will be reunited with an alien race as long as we correspond with the mothership during our stay on earth.

Regardless of what you believe we can all be clumped in two categories. "Philip of Macedon, father of Alexander the Great, commissioned a servant to stand in his presence each day and say 'Philip, you will die.' In contrast, France's Louis XIV decreed that the word death not be uttered in his presence. Most of us are more like Louis than Philip, denying death and avoiding the thought of it except when it's force upon us." -Randy Alcorn, HEAVEN

As a Christian I believe in a literal Heaven and Hell as taught by Jesus. For the longest time I was unmotivated to give my life to Christ in order to float around in the sky with a harp singing hymns for eternity. Call me crazy but that doesn't sound that awesome. I mean floating would be cool for about an hour...but then what.

I believe that Satan has blasphemed Heaven and one of his strategies, being the father of lies, is to spread lies about what Heaven is really like. So I am on a journey. A journey to discover the truth about Heaven. As I learn the truth, I intend to share it with you in a series called, "What will heaven be like?"
I would love to hear what you have to say about Heaven as well. Stay tuned...

Tim Tebow with Joe White at After Dark!!

"Last week I had the opportunity to build the cross for AFTER DARK at the University of Florida as we saw 5,500 Gator students come pack the O’Dome. This was our third largest crowd ever right behind Clemson and Texas A&M. Tim Tebow shared his powerful testimony, and I filmed some of it to share with you. Check out the video to see the Gators changed for Christ!" -Joe White

You can find Joe's video footage of this event on his facebook page..It is AMAZING!!

Kurt Warner Gives God the Glory

Jason Castro, American Idol- I am Second

Josh Hamilton, Home Run Derby King- I am Second

Brian Welch formerly of KORN - I am Second

Theological Thursday

Wow! who would of thought that these guys could ever get serious! They are some of my best friends who mean the world to me. They are not just guys, they are the Highland Park Cross Country Team!

One day, a buddy on the team and I were talking about his beliefs, for he is Jewish and being the curious man that I am, (as well as being somewhat of a theologian), we really got into it and discussed all about his beliefs and I got to ask him some questions and then thats when the fun began. He in turn started firing questions to me about my faith in Christ and right there on that Thursday coming home from practice, a seed was planted in his life because I had the awesome opportunity to share the gospel of Christ with him! And we both enjoyed learing about each others faiths. What a great time it was indeed!

The next week rolled by and this kid I will name "Ralph" decided that that conversation that we had on Thursday must continue on, but this time we would make it into a weekly matter. We coined our conversation as a day called "Theological Thursday," and continued on with the learning and questions. Little by little, more guys started putting their beliefs and thoughts up for discussion, and our group doubled to four the next week.

Soon the whole team joined in for Theological Thursday and every week I get to share my faith now with the whole team!!!! That my friends.. is a miracle only made possible by JESUS CHRIST.

This really has challenged my faith and spurred my growth in Christ for I know now that every Thursday 'Ralph' will have a question for me, and I must answer, meaning that I must dive in the word each week so I can be sharp as a sword and prepared for battle!

Hebrews 12: 4 "For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart."

Be encouraged men and never back down from the opportunities that Christ gives you!