Showing posts with label College. Show all posts
Showing posts with label College. Show all posts

Thursday, February 19, 2009

NEW LEVEL!!!!

So latley I have not been blogging, ha, what is usual. Whatever lol.
Life has been crazy latley, and that is really okay with me.
God has been placing me in ministry opportunities to help me grow, and to lean more on Him and not my self. I am so excited that my high school community group is picking up. I have 4 guys who I can really pour into and grow closer in Christ with. I have a passion to see the next generation take back this country for Christ, to succeed where my generation has failed, and to do impossible things for Christ's Glory. Now on to UNC-Charlotte!!! The Party bus is going great!!!!! J.R. and his gang really are doing an amazing job with this ministry. And God is blessing them because of their passion and willingness to obey His Word. Freshmen and Sophomore men and women have started a College Ministry that has been a huge success from day 1. I mean that blows my mind. Christ has plans for these young men and women to do unbelievable things for His Glory here at UNC-C and for this city. I am so honored to be able to encourage them and be a part of the mighty move of God.

Yesterday we did some vision casting on campus and spent some time going over our dreams and what we all want to do for Christ. Pastor Steven preached an awesome message this past Sunday on being a Visionary Leader. Pastor used the analogy of being dressed for a wedding but at the gas station pumping gas and feeling out of place. In fact, most of us felt as if we were at the gas station pumping gas, dressed for a wedding. We are dressed for not where we are, but where we are going. When we get to where we are going in Christ, we will fit in because we will be dressed and equipped for His purpose in our lives. I love how Pastor Steven put that. Check out this Sermon

It still blows my mind that despite my imperfections, and my own struggles with pursuing Christ, that He would use me to be a connector to the current of Christ. Jonathan Reeves and I both agreed that we have arrived at the point where our callings are just starting to take off. I mean they have in the past, but right now, God has turned up the intensity, and we are doing the things that we have dreamed about for years. "The difference between a daydream and a burning vision is the audacity to act." I just love this quote from Pastor.
I am so excited and pumped up to see how Christ moves in this city, and how He moves in me and my friends. Even though we know that we are in over our heads, we have peace knowing that Christ has us where we need to be for this season.

Praise God!!!

Friday, January 23, 2009

Why Am I So Passionate About Christ?

People often ask me why I am so hyped up about Jesus. People often ask me why I am so crazy about life, and why am I so joyful all the time. People ask me why am I so passionate about the Gospel even though it seems dead and irrelevant to this day and age. What is it that makes me enjoy life?

My passion is to see Lost people become saved. To give hope to the hopeless, to give strength to the weak. To seek out lost, lonely and broken people and show them Love of Christ. Why? Because I know a Savior who has redeemed me. I know a Savior who has given me life. I use to go through life hating my self and trying to live up to the standards of the world. I use to feel as if I had to fit in. I thought that if I had sex I would fit in more with my friends. I thought that if I got plastered, then I would fit in. I thought that if I smoked a few joints here and there I would be cool. On the outside, I was cool, very cool in fact. But on the inside, I was so hollow. The more I did those things, more lonely I felt. I found out that all my friends were lonely as well.

I just want people to find hope. I just want people to come into an intimate relationship with Jesus in order that they can be set free. I have been set free. I have a Savior who died on a cross for my sins and who rose from the grave in order that I may be able to have a relationship with Him. I want to see people healed. This Savior loves me freely, unconditionally. If I can love people the way Christ loves me, then I can sow seeds and help to point people to a better life. I want to see a generation, specifically my generation raised up and become great leaders. I want so see an army of people sold out for Christ and who can show Christ's love to a lost and broken world. I ask my friends to come to Church because I see them suffering from the weight of sin. I see them hurt, lost, lonely and broken. They are carrying around so much baggage and it hurts me to see them struggle to try to fix it themselves. I don't ask them to come to Church because I am judging them. I want them to come to Church so that Jesus can save them, and give them a life that they can enjoy. A life where they can live out their full potential, the potential that Christ put in them before the universe was formed. I don't see junk, I see potential. I don't see dimly lit coals, I see burning flames. I don't see followers, I see leaders.

I am so excited that I serve a Church that gets it. I serve a Church who would pay to have college kids picked up at their school by party buses. The same buses that take them to the clubs and back during the week are going to take them to and from Church in the morning without judging them. I go to a Church that is not ashamed to say, Church is a party. A party that does not leave you hung over, but a party that motivates you to seek Christ more and more each day. Elevation Church has been called many things, but one thing it is not is afraid. My friends who party hard, and I mean hard say that the Party Bus is an awesome idea. They are actually thinking about riding the bus and giving Church a try. Why? Because someone actually gets the fact that they want to change their lives and is providing a really cool way to do so. And you know what... we are not going to play just Christian music, but secular music in order to make them feel comfortable and that we care about them. I have been praying about this for over two years, and now we have the means to show them Christ's love in a radical way.

And the best part is that I do not get credit for any of this. Christ, and Christ alone gets the glory, and I am so fired up about that fact. How awesome is it that J.R. Hopson, a freshman, is heading up this project. Praise God for raising up the next generation to boldly advance His kingdom.

"Makes me wanna STOMP!"

Thursday, January 22, 2009

The Call!!!

I am in a season of preparation, where I am discovering how to strategically and intentionally use my gifts to further the Kingdom, and where I can grow in my weaknesses.
This process is one that is all over the place because I often feel so overwhelmed, and at times small and insignificant. For me this season of preparation, the laying and building onto the foundation if you please has at times been emotional. There is a daily fight, a constant battle with the enemy who is trying oh so desperately to hinder my daily walk with Christ. Yet, yet, I am so joyful because I know that God is refining me in the refiners fire, cleansing me, burring away my inequities in order that I may fully glorify Christ in my walk.

ALSO...The Call is so deeply rooted into my being that I cannot run away from it. Oh I have tried in the past, with such fervor and recklessness. I have tried to out run and out distance God by pot, sex, and of course binge drinking. In the early days of college, my friends affirmed my fear of being a preacher by stating that "I would have to be perfect all the time. A preacher's life is boring, full of reading, and spending time with people telling them they are going to hell if they mess up." And the scary thing is, that is what a lot of us think a preacher's life really is. I knew I needed to rededicate my life to Christ, but the pull of college life seemed oh so strong. I thought that I could run away from God for at least a little while. Ha, but trying to run from God is like chasing the wind, useless. Oh but wait, there in the darkness, a light shined forth giving me hope. Bruised and broken, lost in my sin, I had arrived at a Turing/tipping point in my life. A point where I knew that I had to stop running from this Call, and fully surrender my life to Christ.

As I step forward into 2009, I have looked back lately at my past and I am amazed of how far I have come in my walk with Christ. It was been almost three and a half years since I started the process of "Coming Home" as Pastor Furtick puts it.

As I look around me, I see that over these years I have learned to walk more with Christ, than against Him. I have learned more about what it is to be a man, a real man. A real man is a man who fiercely loves Christ, who passionately pursues Him on a daily basis,and who boldly proclaims the Gospel. Our actions, how we walk, talk, live, those actions are bold. Its more than just telling people about the Love of Christ, its is about being the Love of Christ.

I leave you with this passage from 2nd Timothy which speaks volumes to my soul. I will continue to fight, with more intensity than ever. I will encourage more this year, teach more, share my testimony more with others, and spend more time with Christ. I am finding that as I grow more in Christ, I need to spend more and more time with Him. I love that. That pumps me up!!

2Preach the Word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage—with great patience and careful instruction. 3For the time will come when men will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear. 4They will turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths. 5But you, keep your head in all situations, endure hardship, do the work of an evangelist, discharge all the duties of your ministry.

Tuesday, January 13, 2009

Back to school

I have not been blogging because I have been busy with work and trying to get ready for the my last semester as an undergrad!!!
Classes I am taking are:
1) Step Aerobics which should be awesome!!
2) Ballet I. ha, yes I am taking it. Both Step and Ballet will help me on my balance and coordination while building my core. Should help for my Triathlons
3) African American Religions: The African American Church/Civil Rights Course
I love Dr. Rob, and I she is my fav professor. I have a passion for the African American Church and learning more about how I can apply this to my Urban Ministry. Her courses have challenged my faith, yet also have made my faith so much stronger! Praise God!! She is a Christian and that really helps!!
4) Intro to Western Religions. ehh, it should be interesting.

I'll be working almost 35hours as well, blah. But I have a light load so this should be fun.

My small group is awesome!! I know God is doing amazing things in the upcoming generation!!

Wednesday, December 10, 2008

The Great Divide (mini series)

I have been sitting all day at Jackson's Java, here by the university and it was awesome!!! well kinda not really. It was great to see old friends, some of them more than once in a single day lol.

It was good to go to Chen's Bistro- the RELIGIOUS STUDIES DEPARTMENT took us Seniors out, well the ones who did Senior Seminar this Semester.

Psalm 37:23-24 (New International Version)

23 If the LORD delights in a man's way,
he makes his steps firm;

24 though he stumble, he will not fall,
for the LORD upholds him with his hand.

Proverbs 16:9 (New International Version)

9 In his heart a man plans his course,
but the LORD determines his steps.

Today, is a day to be remembered. It is the last full day that I will have to sit at Jackson's as a Undergrad flipping out over writing two finals.

There is just so much ministry that has to be done, its crazy, but its awesome.

I am proud of my HS Small Group Buddy. yeah!!!

not much to say.... Gotta Man up for Christ.... nough said!!!

It's all part of the process, but God is soo awesome!!!! Brick by Brick. Little bit of yeast, little bit of faith. okay so I am rambling, but that is okay, I just wanted to ramble. This is for me.

Almost Saturday..... Thunder Road Half Marathon with dad. It will be awesome!!!


Friday, November 14, 2008

Senior Thesis Updates.

Praise God, that after a whole freakin semester of loosing sleep, gaining weight, then loosing it, gaining it back, loosing it again, trying to train for a half-marathon, only because I do not have time for a full one, missing class, weekend meetings with my professor, long hours in the library, missing my friends, missing intimate time with Jesus.... I am finally almost done with my Senior Thesis. PRAISE GOD!!! This has got to be the hardest year of college in my whole entire life.

I am so thankful for all the prayers, and words of encoragement durng this semester. I am sorry to those of you whom I have not talk with, or hung out with. Most of you, well except for Sarah Fields haha, are not up at 12-2am ever night, so it just makes fellowship hard. I am so thankful for Sarah being there because she has prayed with me over the phone late at night. God is so good.

Anyways, I am almost done, and I am looking at over 20 pages, which is so awesome. My professor Dr. Fagan, has really called out my potential, and she has helped me to write fine work. I only say this because she her self has said it is fine work, something I still have not gotten use to hearing. I have never been one to logically put my thoughts on paper---academic wise.

It is just so amazing to see God working in my life, even when I have not taken consistent time this semester to get into His Word. I have gotten into the Word, but there have been days when I have missed it.

Thank You Jesus, for loving me as I am, Just as I am, and for blesing me with your Love, Grace, and Mercy.

My presentation went really well. Here is a snapshot of what I spoke about, and what my research is on.

Nicholas Cook, “Black No More: A Literary Analysis of Race, Culture, and Religion Using Rene Girard”

Thesis: Using Rene Girard’s theories, I argue that Schuyler’s novel, Black No More, illustrates the tricky relationship between race, culture, and religion in the early twentieth century United States.


PRAISE GOD!!

Thursday, November 6, 2008

Faith Palmer!!! MUST READ!!

You guys have got to check out Audrey Pannell's blog on my best friend Faith Palmer!!!

GO READ NOW!!!
AND THEN VOTE FOR HER HAHA!!



Gotta Have Faith-The Loveliest Village.

WATCH THE VIDEO AT THE BOTTOM!!!

Wednesday, November 5, 2008

Budget

So we have been talking about money at Elevation. THE REAL CHANGE series. My dad and I are sitting down together, via email and Excel, to discuss ways in which I can personally be more responsible with my money. I am not a frivolous spender, but I know I spend way to much money on junk food, and probably gas. I know I spend too much money on Coffee. When I run out of the stuff at home, I usually hit the local shop.

I know that down the road, I will have to lead my wife. Part of my job is knowing how to budget.

Other than that, school is okay, Senior Seminar paper is finally due next week, and the final presentation is next week. I just hope I can do really well on my next tests coming up so I can pass all my classes.

Next Semester...only need 3 credit hours to graduate, and its an intro class haha. Praise God!!!

Wednesday, September 24, 2008

Senior Soul Searching.

There is a time, I believe in the life of every Senior in College, that they freak out about what it is they are going to do once they graduate.
For some, it is choosing the right gradschool, others, the right job right out of college.
The fear of being hired, the fear of earning a degree that seems promising, but looking at out economy, may not be so promising.

For me, right now, I am yearning. I am yearning so much to know what it is that God has called me to do. I know it is ministry, that is something I have been embracing these last 3 years.
I have been freaking out this past week because I have not spent enough time in the Word, and I have not taken care of my body. It has been two weeks since I have ran, and before that, it was all over the place.
Senior year for me is tough. With my Senior Seminar class, and my textual analysis on theorists, I have spent many late nights and early mornings reading over countless texts.

This Sunday at IMPACT, Justin really spoke some truth that spoke to my inner being. It is Wednesday, and after speaking to my dad last night for like an hour, the truth is finally sinking in. How great is our God, who works His will in spite of me. My dad is a wise man. He really speaks truth into my life, and is both encouraging and challenging.
In order to know what specific ministry God is calling me to, I have to talk with a lot of people.
Military and non-military pastors, church staff members, missionaries, and motivational speakers are on my list.
Maybe going to seminary is for me, maybe it is not. That is not up to me to decide.

The good thing about passionately seeking God, and being fueled with the thought and desire of ministry makes my heart pound. (Job 37:1,5)
My heart is stirred (Psalm 45:1)
This whole thing reveals my desires. (Psalm 37:4)
My heart is set free (Psalm 119:32-34)

God can do anything, more than we can ask or imagine. (Eph 3:20-21)

I did run today, and let me just tell you, I feel better, I feel more alive, a sense of clarity. Emotionally balanced, more in tune with God. I like to pray while I run, and today, I feel better.

Thanks to Bradelyn for encouraging me, and for sharing her heart with me today. We are both in similar spots (ministry after college). It is good to be able to talk with someone who is dealing with that, but who is not struggling as much as me.

I know that today is a great day. I feel as if a heavy weight is being lifted up.

Thank You Jesus, for Your Love!!! You are the sustainer, the great redeemer.

SAVIOR KING-HILLSONG

Saturday, September 13, 2008

1,000 Fliers

I am posting Ethan's blog in here so that yall may read it and be caught up on what God is doing in our lives this week.

We got some fliers this past week, and went door to door in his dorm. It was crazy awesome, you have to read about it here. Ethan King

We have this passion to reach people for Christ on this campus.
Anyway, we pretty much ran out of fliers and we wanted to get more.
I called the office, but I could not get a hold of anyone at the time who knew if there were more fliers to give me and Ethan so we could pass them out on campus.

Wednesday night I prayed before going to bed: Lord, we love doing this for You we want to see lost people come into a relationship with you, and see others who are saved be able to find a church where they can get plugged in. If this is Your will, and Your desire for us, would you please have someone from the Elevation Office call me in the morning and give me more fliers.

OH MAN CHECK THIS OUT!!

So Thursday morning, I am getting some breakfast, and the phone rings. It is Larry Brey, and he says that he has 1,000 fliers specifically for the UNCC campus, and they are all mine to come and pick up. PRAISE GOD!! HE IS SOO GOOD!! WHAT A MIRACLE!!!

Could yall just please pray for Ethan and my self, but more importantly could y'all pray for the people when hand these fliers out to. I am declaring in the Lord that people's hearts would be open to receive the drawing of the Holy Spirit, and that people from UNC-C will get saved during this series.
Thanks for being in agreement.

(if you want to help, please post a comment here or on facebook)

Praise God!!!