So life is really really good right now... School this semester is so amazing, building friendships with people, work is awesome, CHURCH JUST ROCKS... but... God is doing some things in my life right now that I have to wrestle through.
The main thing right now is the whole after college. I have always been told time and time again that in order to be a minister, I have to go to seminary as soon as I graduate. Right now, I do no have a desire to go to seminary. In fact right now, I just want to get as much practical experience of learning about being the hands and feet of Christ. Right now my heart's desire is to network, pour into college kids, and passionately pursue people who are far from God. Now, I know that God may lead me to go to seminary in the future, but right now I desire to pour all I have into doing ministry and not sitting in a classroom. I have been doing that for almost four and a half years, and honestly I am getting tired of learning theory. And so I am wrestling with God. Wrestling hard to determine to if after the summer if it is God's will that I go to seminary of if I will get a job that enables me to make a decent living while doing the very things that I am so passionate about.
I am processing a lot of information, and seeking advice from those who are in the ministry, both "ordained" and non "ordained." The weight of the call is so heavily burdened on my heart and all I want to do is be obedient. Some of the things that I have to process through deal with the issue of my flesh. Since I am rebellious in my ways, some good some bad, is not going to seminary after the summer really my flesh, or is it a direct call from Christ to gain practical ministry experience for an a season that I really have no clue how long it will last?
I do know one thing, and that is Christ will determine my steps. He has already prepared His perfect plan for me. I know that I will be a minister, and that I will pastor people. I take joy in knowing that I cannot see my self doing anything else but to preach His Word.
I know that after Monday I will have a better clue as to which direction God wants me to go. It's just that the waiting is the hardest part. I have been waiting it seems for a very long time haha.
Tonight, I had a great a time with my battle buddy, my armor bearer, Jonathan Reeves. Jonathan is soo anointed, so in tune with the Holy Spirit. He always has a way of being a mouthpiece for Christ in my life. It's always good to have someone assure about the Goodness of Christ. It is always good to have someone in your life who tells you the very things that make you squirm, and uncomfortable. It is always good to have someone who can encourage you, and gently rebuke you. I love Jonathan Reeves, he is the brother I never had, but always wanted. HA! but The LORD worked it out!!!
I do feel challenged, but yet at the same time, I have more of a peace in my spirit about the future. Jeremiah 29:11. Habakkuk 1:5. Hebrews 11:6-7. God is soo good, and I know that the best is yet to come!!!
Just felt like being open and honest with you guys!!!
Thursday, February 26, 2009
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!!!
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!"
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.
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.
Sunday, January 18, 2009
Does Black go with Brown?
Does Brown go with Black? My grandma told me that they have always gone together and that is a silly notion that they do not mix.
An article published by a popular men's magazine stated that if you wear Black for your suit or pants then black, tan or camel colored shoes would match.
I also heard that if your suit or pants are Brown then any shade of brown, black, camel colored shoes would match.
In Europe it seems as if Black does go with brown. Certain shades at least?
The Sartorialist
Men.Style.Com
talks about how Brown is the new black, but I think how can brown be the new black when black is black. haha. oh well.
I am in the process of getting a brown jacket, but right now all my jackets are jet black. Some people tell me that my black jacket does not go with my brown shoes(dark color) or my matching belt and some tell me its fine. The only reason I ask is because there are a lot of fashion police out there who love to tell people they don't know that they don't match.
I am not one for dressing up, and I find it a hassle. I usually wear athletic clothing because I find my self doing two workouts on an ideal day. Wearing something nice just makes it a hassle.
What do you think? I have asked a lot of people and I have gotten mixed reviews. I guess I have become obsessed with this question because I just wanted to know if there is a "set ruling."
Your thoughts are welcomed!!!
Thank You!!
~Nick Cook~
An article published by a popular men's magazine stated that if you wear Black for your suit or pants then black, tan or camel colored shoes would match.
I also heard that if your suit or pants are Brown then any shade of brown, black, camel colored shoes would match.
In Europe it seems as if Black does go with brown. Certain shades at least?
The Sartorialist
Men.Style.Com
talks about how Brown is the new black, but I think how can brown be the new black when black is black. haha. oh well.
I am in the process of getting a brown jacket, but right now all my jackets are jet black. Some people tell me that my black jacket does not go with my brown shoes(dark color) or my matching belt and some tell me its fine. The only reason I ask is because there are a lot of fashion police out there who love to tell people they don't know that they don't match.
I am not one for dressing up, and I find it a hassle. I usually wear athletic clothing because I find my self doing two workouts on an ideal day. Wearing something nice just makes it a hassle.
What do you think? I have asked a lot of people and I have gotten mixed reviews. I guess I have become obsessed with this question because I just wanted to know if there is a "set ruling."
Your thoughts are welcomed!!!
Thank You!!
~Nick Cook~
Saturday, January 17, 2009
Weekend before Grandpa's Triple Bypass
So today I had the privilege and honor of hanging out with my Grandparents (dad's side) who live in Stokesdale NC. I call them Buelo and Buela which is short for grandpa and grandma in Spanish. Buelo just turned 81 on December 31st and He is in great shape for his age even though he needs triple bypass surgery. He is a vibrant, refined country gent who just got elected to Town Council. He is the God-fearing sort who plays golf at the country club, goes to the beach house when ever he feels like it, and has a made a good name for himself. He grew up dirt poor, farmed most of his life, raised cattle, and drove a truck while raising three kids. He got into the insurance business and has done really well, passing on the family business to his youngest child, my Auntie Angel. He loves to sing, and play guitar. Oh how I love him dearly.
He is getting triple bypass this Thursday because he has 90% 75% and 100% percent blockage in his arteries.
so anyway, today we went to mayflower, ate seafood, and then came back to the house to watch Country music and Bluegrass before going to bed. I like that!! We have had great conversations tonight about the Church, and the importance of music in the Church.
I know God is taking care of Buelo, and tonight, for the first time, I laid hands on him and Buela before going to bed and prayed over them. It was so intense, that I started to cry. Not the few tears, but the kind where if you don't stop to breathe you will pass out. The power of the Holy Spirit overcame us in that room and we all started crying as we thanked Jesus for His goodness. We all felt the power of the Holy Spirit as we lifted up Buelo and prayed protection over him and for God's healing to be present these next few months. I prayed over my grandma because she has dementia and she is scared to death of the possibility of Buelo not recovering from surgery. All I could really say clearly was Thank You Jesus for loving us, and for this family. This family is real love. You are real love.
We have an awesome intercessor for our prayers, and I praise God mightily.
I think I have seen them tear up once or twice, but I have never seen both of them cry.
Oh Gracious and eternal Father, I thank you from my innermost being that You have graciously placed me in a family where I can know Love. I am so thankful and blessed to have been adopted into a family who loves me, and who points me towards you. We are not all perfect, but You oh God, refine us with a fierce fatherly love, burning away our inequities through Your son Jesus Christ. I thank You in advance for the healing that will take place in Buelo whether it be in this life or the ultimate healing that will take place when You call him up. Strengthen us oh Lord so that we may be living examples for Your Glory in this time of need. Thank You Jesus for being the mediator, and for paying our sin debt. All glory, honor and praise to You oh Father, in Christ's Holy name, Amen and Amen.
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!!
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!!
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