Summit Ministries

Twas the night before Wednesday, when all through the hotel, not a creature was stirring at least none that we could tell, when suddenly a sound cracked through the night, as young men woke up for the manly man hike. They stepped out with vigor, they marched forth with glee, the predawn light plain for all to see. But the way was long, the trail steep and before long, these young men were beat. But still they marched on, their minds on the prize, the box of doughnuts waiting just above the rise. Finally the young men reached the Summit, and paused to reflect on just how they had done it. They chewed thoughtfully on their deep fried treat, as Jon Jon rose to his feet. Godly Men, he intoned, aren't made but grown. With doughnuts in our stomachs, and truth in our minds, we once again returned before it was nine.

Thus began day 11 of summit session nine in beautiful Manitou Springs, Colorado. While the guys were at the manly man hike, the girls were enjoying a "refreshing breakfast at the pool", both returning renewed and refreshed for important classes ahead. First on the schedule we had Dr. Noebel providing us with information on the "One hundred and twenty five significant biblical events". It was a very interesting overview, and I can't wait till we go over more of it on Friday. Next up we had Mr. Kevin Bywater who spoke on how Jesus' existence was not only proven biblically but through history, and how to convince a skeptic of this. Next we heard about the new age movement and common arguments used to support it, along with the way to refute these arguments. Mr. Bywater was very fun to listen too as he included funny stories to prove his point (ex. if you have a new ager tell you about the merits of firewalking, ask them if they will prove it to you by not just walking on coals, but on cooking sheets on top of the coals... non stick of course;). We left the class with our minds quickened and our spirits lifted.

After the break we returned to hear from a true dynamic duo! (And no I am NOT TALKING ABOUT THE CLINTONS). Mr. and Mrs. Nutting, from the Alpha and Omega Institute came to speak to us on the ever important topic of evolution. What was really interesting was that both of the Nuttings had started out as people who believed very much in the theory of evolution, in fact while in the fourth grade Mr Nutting spoke on T.V. about how evolution was the one true theory about the beginning of life. However, later in life Mr. Nutting was confronted with evidence that troubled him to the point that he was forced to come to an incredible conclusion. What he had been taught his entire life was false. Mr. and Mrs. Nutting went on to provide many different pieces of evidence for why evolution just does not stand up as a scientific theory, and why the evidence points to a "creation event" having happened. Sadly all good things must to come to an end, even sessions on evoulution, thus we walked out of class with our minds full of support for our creation belief.

During the afternoon we had a choice of activities, we could choose to do paintball, general free time or take a stand against abortion by picketing at planned parenthood. I decided to do the picketing, and found myself taking part in something I will never forget. All thirty of us took a position on the sidewalk outside the planned parenthood parking lot facing the street, and began to walk in a circular pattern facing the passing travelers. Many people drove by, some showing their support by honking and waving, others to showing their distaste by cursing and gesturing, but through it all we continued to walk. On the way back we pondered what had occurred, had we stopped an abortion? Not necessarily. Had we truly made a difference? Only time will tell. But one thing we knew for certain, for that period of time, as we stood vigil. The unborn received a voice, a voice urging those more powerful to stop and think about the implications of their actions and choices, and this was worth all the cursing and sore feet combined.

My time on the computer is drawing to a close, as I think back on these last two weeks here at the Summit, I see the new people I have met, the friendships that have started and the lessons I have learned. Lessons that will stay with me for the rest of my life, if I had to say one reason why one should come to the Summit it would have to be what the Apostle Paul says in the book of Colossians. "See to it that no one takes you captive through hollow and deceptive philosophy, which depends on human tradition and the basic principles of this world rather than on Christ." The world has a hollow and deceptive philosophy and Summit prepares you to defeat it. God's Blessings.