Voddie is the man!

Phil Wickham

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D3ZK5jHYuoU

The link above is to a Phil Wickham song called "True Love" (The Wall), and it's amazing! Right now Nuckolls and I are in

Nashville, TN at the National Youth Workers Convention. It's probably the largest resource convention I've ever seen. There are

some parts of me that dislike things like this. The reason being that while we're in our conventions and little youth retreats,

there are people starving to death, and not hearing the gospel from us (the church), so it upsets me a little. I understand

and support the idea of idea sharing and resource providing, though I think it should come second to being Christ to the world.

I just finished listening to Phil Wickham sing Hallelujah on YouTube.com and it's just amazing. Lincoln Brewster does Another

Hallelujah really well, but as far as the original goes, I'll take Phil's version.

Right now we're trying to setup a Missions Trip to Peru with Summit and it looks like it may work out (it's through IMB). The

leadership of the trip would probably take a "vision trip" down there first to see where we want to commit to ministering for

the next 3-5 years or more as a church. I love the fact of long-term commitment ministry, and I think that it needs to happen

more and more as churches are quickly dying out and being demeaned and forgotten as everyone (unfortunately) will soon

see...it's just not that much in the South right now.

Statistically, 48 churches close their door a week, and that number is only 48 because we plant 24 a week, so as a horrible

mistake on the church it decided to become exclusive and just stop ministering or giving to others as they have need to

become basically a health club, or rather a nursing home for Christians...thus as people are at the age we they are dying at

nursing homes (it's just true...I don't like it either), the church is reaching it's age quickly where it's dying too, however, when a

person's mind goes they forget things (normally around the same age as they are getting close to death)...it's just weird that

the church forgot the teachings of Christ and then God managed to keep it alive for all these years.

The good thing about the churches dying ("rejoice in the Lord always") is that God is refining His church of who is and who is

not a believer (when the first sign of difficulty comes, then you see whose committed to your cause - John Maxwell). Also, the

church (as a whole) should experience a great time of unity within this time frame, and therefore as we've seen in the past

when persecution comes there is unity in the church (read Acts).

Anyways, gotta go work...sorry about the rant, but it's been something that's been talked about a good bit, and I felt like

chiming in (thus a blog...I think that's what they're for).

Nicholas

So Nick has started Seminary at Liberty University this week through their distance learning program. I (Brandie) am verrrry excited about this because he has been wanting to do this for a while and now he is on his way to getting his Masters, which is also kinda scary :).  He has a ton of work to do which also makes me laugh in an evil laugh kind of way because I am not the only student in the house now. Anyway, enough of evil laughing I know he will do a good job.

Travel Season Stinks (but has some good parts)

I'm wrapping up a 2 week stint in my travel for work in Charlotte, NC. Right now I'm staying at a Doubletree Inn by the airport which I've stayed at before. The computer work area that I'm in is loud and irritating, but alas I write.

If you're wondering why there are different cars throughout the entry, these are the ones I have driven this season so far.

I've been in Charlotte, Greensboro, High Point, Pembroke, Raleigh, Kill Devil Hills - North Carolina; Washington D.C.; Loudon County, and a bunch of other undesirable places in Virginia; I don't think I visited Maryland yet, but I think I'll be there in about 2 weeks or so, as well as Florence, SC.

Being away from Brandie for this long is no good. Seeing George and Alexis was fantastic and that night that George and I stayed up looking up different funny things we came across on YouTube.com was great as well. I really enjoyed spending time getting to know Alexis better, though I don't know how she felt having to host a mini-boys weekend, but I tried to be a gracious guest as they were amazing hosts.

Probably crazy late tomorrow I may attempt to drive back to Charleston, SC, but we'll have to see as I do my work.

I've read 3 books in the last week and a half and the best one I read was called The Gutter. It's about loving people that my seem "unapproachable" to you and I, but understanding that we have all been "unapproachable" at some point or the other (because of depravity), and we all need to know that we have someone who can save us from Hell (really)...Jesus. Anyways, it was good that I had time to read because I start class this week at Liberty Seminary and I have 16 books for 2 courses (having to read all of them) in 8 weeks. Fun fun. G'night.

Busy Days

Well, everything has been going on very quickly around here in the wonderful world of Brandie and Nicholas.

Brandie's sister (Casey) is here now and playing soccer for CSU! She is playing mid-field and got to play this past Saturday against Clemson, so it was great to get to see her playing in the first "unofficial" game of the season...most freshman don't get playing time, so that was nice.

Brandie is getting ready for hopefully her last semester of college. She should finish in Decemeber with a degree in Psychology which is cool, but ultimately means that she will probably began analyzing me anytime now.

It's looking like I'll start at Bethel Seminary in St. Paul, MN this fall towards my Masters in Leadership, so that should be cool (if finiacially possible...schools exspensive huh?).

Work is crazy busy, but it looks like this recruiting year is winding down and today (supposedly the busiest day at work) is not that bad actually...maybe we prepared people better this year...there were a ton of online updates for parents and students...who knows.

The Olympics have been...well, they've overtaken my TV at my house...mainly because Brandie likes'em, but watching them I can't help but cheer for the US.

I heard the annoucers explaining what the US felt when Phelps won his last gold to set the new record, and it seemed as though they were playing it into the idea that the Olympics create community and unity...and they do.

The one thing they didn't discuss was "why". Why do humans have this desire for community, and to cheer on people? I mean if all of this "truth is subjective, there is no absolute" stuff is real, then WHY cheer on anyone besides myself? Why be happy for someone? It makes no sense. I could go further, much further in this to the point where it comes down to the fact that THAT particular school of thought doesn't even work and completely breaks down, that really what the "no truth" people are saying (which would have to be a truth to be true, therefore defeating themselves in their own explanation), is basically they don't WANT to believe in God because that means they are responsible for their sin...ultimately they don't want to own up to it...because that means they NEED something and they are not self-sufficient.

Anyways, sorry about the apologetist rant.

Back to work, CRAZYness. If you want to check out our church here that I work with at CSU, you can go to http://www.summitcharleston.com/.

Nicholas

Creation 2008

So I just got back from Pennsylvania (Mt. Union to be exact...which means basically Amish Country).  I went to Creation (the Nation's Largest Christian Music Festival), and basically everyone was there (DCB, Tomlin, Fee, Flyleaf, etc.)...as well as 75,000 other people...I spent a week there and it was a lot of fun...though tough work as well.  Pollett, and Abercrombie came with me, so that made it easier, though it was raining almost the whole time.  Lots of fun, and very productive for CSU as well.

Brandie had an amazing 25th birthday party that her WONDERFUL HUSBAND planned for her.  It was an IRON CHEF themed party, and Brandie's team won by a time default, though all the food was delicious and all of it was eaten.  I would like to thank all of our friends and family that showed up to the P A R T Y, and those that helped; we really appreciate it. 

Brandie has begun her second month of courses at CSU, and hopefully should graduate in the Fall.  She has 3 more classes to knock out after this month and they should be difficult, but I believe she will do well.

Nick <><

June a month of Hotness

So it's been like 100 degrees since the end of May here in Charleston.  I think that the idea of global warming originated here, since I have a constant sweat.

Anyways, Brandie is busy taking 2 summer courses, and I am working towards the Christian Marketing job at CSU as well as working with Summit Church as their Executive Pastor (which means I help out here and there).

Going to be visiting Edisto Beach with Dad and everyone in July, and other than that I don't really have anything else much planned.  Brandie and I are coming up on our 3 year wedding anniversary and that's exciting, though we don't have HUGE plans or anything...I guess you really do BIG STUFF on the 5 year, 10 year, etc.; though we are doing something fun for both of us.  Also, her birthday is fast approaching as well, so I've been listening but I'm not hearing a ton of gift ideas, so i'll have to think...which I believe will be unfortunate for her.  : )

Just wanted to update.

Nick

Well what???

Well what's been happening??? Just working really. I've been traveling alot (as you who have me on facebook probably know by now)...I've been in Oralndo, FL and Baltimore, MD.

In Orlando I was at Student Leadership University where I got to work, but also was able to learn a great deal about Leadership but also Apologetics from a professor at Southeastern Seminary, so that was great. I was able to do some surfing on my way home at Flagler Beach and it was the first time this year in the Atlantic without the wetsuit on, so that was a refreshing experience, but not that bad ultimately.

In Baltimore I spent sometime in Montgomery County, but spent most of my time at the Inner Harbor in Baltimore eating at the ESPN Zone restaurant and taking in a Baltimore Orioles game against the Toronto Blue Jays (O's won).

Summit church has been growing a good bit, and it's been great leading worship with the students; they're amazing. Our Youth Group is getting up there as well, so that's exciting to see young students coming to God.

Back to work....

~ Nick ~

Ignite the Flame and Wind

So this past weekend was interesting, and now I'm really tired; of course, being up right now at 7:45am at work isn't helping either. So...

This past weekend on Saturday my Dad came down and we went out to Morris Island (Lighthouse) and did some fishing with Jeremy and Seth: we caught two fish (maybe 8" long)...so, ultimately not that successful, but fun. The wind was awful and it made it feel like it was freezing; which it was cold, however, it wasn't as cold as it felt.

Sunday morning was a good time of worship. We did some newer Chris Tomlin and Hillsong United music, so that was good times. Then on Sunday afternoon/night the Worship Band and I spent that time at the Ignite the Flame "A Night of Worship and Prayer". We played for 2 hours straight, with some breaks in between, but it was a lot of fun. There were around 900 youth there and they were crazy loud! But hearing them sing so passionately makes my arena as a Worship Leader very very easy, and it was more like a night of encouragement for me and the band; ultimately it was a great time. Afterwards, we went to Olive Garden and Summit paid for everyone's dinner, which was also good and I was very tired.

This week at work so far I've been ordering DVDs for students that we want duplicated, creating letters to go out to them, and postcards to go out to others, coming up with a name for the new position (which BTW should be created between June-August), accepted and denied students for admission, met with parents and students about (admission, financial aid, housing, registration, etc), and waved to the Senior Adults with the South Carolina Baptist Convention.

Jon wants the Worship Band to play in a couple of weeks at this revival in Florence...well, near Florence, so we may do that. It would be in between my visit to CIU (Columbia International University), and my trip to SLU (Student Leadership University) in Orlando, FL; but after my trip back from Gaithersburg, MD...so we'll see about me...I know I'll be CRAZY busy at that time...which is weird considering it's not the Fall and I'm traveling so much.

"Pursue faith and love and peace, and enjoy the companionship of those who call on the Lord with pure hearts" 2 Timothy 2:22.

Premiere Day

So, it's 1:48am right now and I'm up with Seth and Jeremy N. playing PS3...why?...well, the first reason is because we're guys; the second is because we were told that we were too old to stay up till 2am playing video games. I'll go ahead an admit that "yes" I'm dog-tired boss...dog tired.

Anyways, this weekend will be a good one, though it will be a tiring one with a TON of work. Premiere Day is this weekend and that means that all of the ACCEPTED students will be coming to see CSU as a future campus. Also, what that means is it's the biggest event that we do on-campus as far as recruiting students goes, and I'm in charge of it...not that I did all the work for it...I didn't, but I've told that the responsibility of the success of this event is resting on me...so no pressure. : )

My in-laws are coming down to Charleston this weekend to visit CSU for Premiere Day since Casey (my sister-in-law) will most likely be attending CSU this Fall. : ) It will great to see them again, since we don't get to see anyone that much anyways.

Brandie and I have been looking at buying a home recently, and while we were very close to buying one recently, ultimately I was afraid of the monthly payment...afraid that we wouldn't have any food or water.

Brandie is asleep right now...that's weird...this is the first night in probably a year or so that I'm awake and Brandie isn't. I will say though that she only got two hours of sleep last night, so she was pretty tired...plus she did a LOT of schoolwork tonight before sleeping.

Brandie and I have been reading "Taste and See" by John Piper everynight before we go to sleep; it's been really cool to have her reading something that I enjoy so much. Right now we're memorizing scripture as well together; this weeks is: Hebrews 4:16..."Therefore let us approach with confidence the throne of grace to receive mercy and grace to help in time of need". And while we're memorizing those, the "Vision Team" at Summit is memorizing Romans 12 (the whole chapter) to use as a base scripture for all we do at Summit and for the meat of what the Vision of the church looks like.

It looks as though the new position which I created will be getting voted into being...as long as the Board of Visitors and Board of Trustees agree on it. It made it through the Strategic Initiative Retreat, and the Town Hall Meeting today already, so one more set of votes to get through; I really hope that it does; I think it would benefit CSU tremendously and would be way more FUN for me personally...cool thing about that is that my VP recognizes that it's something that would be more fun for me and be more along the lines of what I would like to do in the future, and she promotes that.

Anyways, it's now officially 2:02am and I'm still really young...of course I'll hate myself in the morning, especially because I have to work tomorrow from 8am-5pm and then come back and work 9pm till who knows when. Then on Saturday I have to work at 6am till 4pmish, maybe longer, and then of course on Sunday 7am till 2pm at church, followed by Michael and Heather's wedding...which is exciting. So, off to bed I go I go. Goodnight.

Softball Season

Well, Softball Season talk has officially been started around me today. I look forward soo much to Summit Church Softball. Mainly because I get to spend time with all the men of the church and I don't get that alot when I'm at church throughout the time.

Work has been crazy busy recently, though some things are being changed around, so that's a nice change.

I spent about 30mins. last night talking to George and being updated on things in the Ville. It was good to get to speak with him. Happy Early Birthday George!

Jeremy Pollett and I have been surfing at Folly alot recently (by alot I mean twice), and that's been really great to get to spend time with him and discuss life and get to see some amazing sunsets.

My dad is coming down this weekend, so I'm looking forward to that. My mom is coming down the next weekend, and then Casey, my MIL, and some other friends are coming down in March...good times ahead.

Tonight Jeremy Nuckolls and I may throw the ball around a little bit, both of us are very excited to begin this new softball season.

Everyone should go to Youtube.com and type in "women's soccer amazing goals" and watch the CSU goals...the third and fourth goals are AMAZING...thus the title.

Its been a while...

I noticed that Nick has not written anything recently, so I figured I could fill in for him since he is apparently too busy. Well the only story that I really have to tell is about Nick, who still has some kid in him and I suppose always will (which is fine with me, because I do too and I think most people do). We were out riding bikes the other day ( my idea, so he probaly blames what happened to him on me, even though I had nothing to do with it) because it was a very nice day, about 70 degrees. We were riding on the sidewalk in our neighborhood and they have these, I guess you could call them "landscaping hills" and so Nick decides he is going to ride his bike up and down these hills. And apparantly as he was coming down one of these hills he noticed a hole and instead of hitting the hole and going over the handle bars he swerves to the left and falls over. That ended our relaxing day of bike riding. So now he is missing a lot of skin on his right arm and some on his hand, stomach and shin.
On another note, a few weeks ago Nick took me to Paula Deens restaurant in Savannah Georgia, it was a surprise for me and he had to take a day off of work to do it. I just wanted to mention that because it was a great surprise and a sweet thing for him to do.

A Busy Monday and Goodbye to the Doggie

As my loving-wife...stated in the previous post, we're in fact dog-sitting. Lily has been a joy to come home to and a sadness to depart from. All in all it's been a successful dog-sitting experiment (I say that cause it was Brandie and I's first time "watching" anything together, so it was interesting to see how we worked together in that..ultimately a good experience).

Dog Sitting

So Nick and I are babysitting a dog for the next couple of days. Lily (thats her name) is a puggle which is half pug and half beagle. She's cute. It has not been so bad except for Saturday when it was pouring down rain all day and we got soaking wet everytime we took her to the bathroom. Plus we are on the third floor... Right now she is staring at me while I am trying to study, I guess she does not understand that I have a test coming up and cant play with her, oh well.

This Weekend

This weekend seems fun.

- Tonight there is a P A R T Y at Nic's house...which for those of you that don't know...that means I will s'mores this evening.

- (By the way...this picture to the right here...was taken right before Ernesto hit Folly Beach...I was there...I surfed it...and it was AWESOME...the rain and the sand stung your face...and the wind would blow your board away....Seth and Jeremy Pollett almost died...it was a GREAT time!) Tomorrow morning, 9am surfing in hopefully a storm with Jeremy Nuckolls...and that reminds me I need to call Jeremy Pollett. Then shopping with the wife...thanks to everyone for the gift cards!

- Sunday...church! I'm very excited about the songs we're going to attempt this Sunday, as most of them are difficult...or at least, to us.

So this weekend is shaping up nicely. Recently, I've received quite a large amount of bills....all at once... I think other businesses talk to each other and say when they are going to send them out and ask for their money...just like when I was in high-school and I was sure that all the teachers in the school got together and decided when they would have tests.

I'm going to be heading up to Tennessee for the weekend of the 25th with Brandie for work...so Pigeon Forge here we come! That should be fun, though I have to work. Though, the place where I will be working will be a Youth Retreat...so that should be fun as well...hopefully we'll learn some stuff.

Christmas Time/New Year's in Review

Well, Christmas came and went, followed by New Year's...funny how the calendar works that way.

- side note -

Cubicle life is so funny. Jeremy was just talking to me and then his little head went away and I heard him answer the phone. Then he told the lady who he was on the phone with: "Let me just stop you before you go too far, and tell you that I'm not the right person for you"...that's funny.

- end side note -

Being back at work is not that bad. It's nice to see everyone, even if we have a ton of work to do.

Brandie is in Spartanburg still, getting her car fixed. I miss her.

Back to work.