To be Christ to the WHOSOEVER

Live Free or Die

2010-02-27T20:56:00.000-08:00

So I saw a New Hampshire license plate the earlier, and on it reads, "Live Free or Die." Now my mind instantly went to the Bruce Willis movie, "Live Free or Die Hard." So then I was thinking, 'Man, that's kinda harsh!' Next thing I know my mind is going through all kinds of things. [like my mind tends to do, I may have ADD. not sure though.] Just from this one state's motto [what's the motto with you?] all kinds of ideas and thoughts started going through my mind.

So why am I telling you this? Well here is your answer! We as Christians are free in Christ Jesus. This state motto actually applies to life. Kinda weird but hey, who knew? Because of what Christ did on that cross, we are able to be free. We are free from any kind of hold the devil may have on us. We are no longer bound to the sin in our lives, it no longer has to dominate our lives. We have freedom in Christ! IS THAT NOT AWESOME?

On the other hand if we don't give our lives to Christ then we will do the second part of that motto. We will die! Two deaths, physical and spiritual. If we do not live free in Christ then we will die to our sin.

Our mission as Christians, is to let people know that they are able to live free. We are to tell them that they can live free in Christ or die. [maybe not so harsh though]

Let the Nations be Glad

2010-01-19T17:20:00.000-08:00

"Missions is not the ultimate goal of the church. Worship is. Missions exists because worship doesn't. Worship is ultimate, not missions, because God is ultimate, not man. When this age is over, and the countless millions of the redeemed fall on their faces before the throne of God, missions will be no more. It is a temporary necessity. But worship abides forever."-John Piper

Ok so I read this for a missions class that I am taking right now. This is the first paragraph of the book "Let the Nations be Glad." I was wanting to share this with you because this little paragraph has been stuck in my head for a week now, and I cannot get it out of my head.

As a part of worshiping we, as a church, are to do missions. Just as the passage says, when God comes back and we are all around His throne bowing down before Him, missions will be no more. Its all going to be about worship! Thats the way it should be now! Our "missions" should be because we want to be in constant worship with the God who created us and has given use the means to evangelize.

Something else that Piper says in his book is, "Where passion for God is weak, zeal for missions will be weak." I'll let you chew on that for a little bit.

-Matt Davis

PUT ANOTHER ONE IN THE BOOKS!

2009-12-13T20:51:00.000-08:00

Alright! The semester is very close to its end! Can anyone say AMEN?!?! This semester has gone by so quickly. It feels like yesterday I was helping scared little freshman move into their new dorm and watched their mothers cry because their baby is growing up so fast. But now we all can put a semester down in the books. One more semester til graduation! Some have more semesters than others but we are all one step closer.

With the end of the semester comes a break. Christmas Break! I love this time of the year. People seem to be so much nicer than any other time of the year. Ok not everyone, but for the majority, people are in a better mood. As this Christmas season is coming down on us I begin to think about what this time is about. Its all about Christ! Its about Christ coming down to this earth so that He could die for our sins and conquer death. Its not about anything else. Its all about Christ. Its not about the fat man in the red suit with his reindeer. Its not about saying Happy Holidays to everyone we see. Its about Christ. Which is why we should be saying Merry Christmas and not Happy Holidays.

Jeremy Nuckolls, Aaron Johnson, and myself will be going to Peru after Christmas. I know that you have been praying for us as we have been preparing for this trip. As the time is getting closer and closer I ask that you continue to pray for us and pray that God will prepare a way for us on this trip and on the trips that we are planning for the summer!

God Bless,

Matt D.

Gettin' Close!

2009-11-19T09:58:00.000-08:00

Alright! The semester is coming to a close! This guy is very excited! Yes I do realize that Thanksgiving Break still has not arrived. The good thing about that is after the break its the back stretch to the end of the semester. That means we are that much closer to going to Peru! I am so excited to get down there and see what we will be able to do this summer when we "Invade Peru," to quote Kevin Chafin. Just in case you have forgotten we will be leaving December 28th and returning January 5th.

Now for a little something from this morning....

2nd Corinthians 12:9-10 says, "But he said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me. That is why, for Christ's sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong."

Classes and Peru

2009-11-02T07:16:00.001-08:00

So I got to do the most stressful thing every college student goes through yesterday. I got to sign up for next semester's classes. Oh the joy! It is very difficult to find classes that I need to graduate at this point. I did get to sign up for a class that I am really pumped about. I am going to take a History and Practice of Christian Missions class. Being that missions is one of my all-time passions along with baseball.

Basically this class will give different ways that The Great Commission has bee carried out over the past centuries. It will show the different models that have and can be used to be missionaries to people all over the world. It is apparent to me that The Great Commission can be carried out in different ways and that different models should be used in our local area than what should be used in other nations.

I say all of this to say that I am excited about the Peru trip in December! I have really been thinking about it a lot these past few weeks. I came to the realization the other day that this trip in December will be one that sets up many more trips this summer to carry out The Great Commission. I then began to think of the impact that will be made in Peru. Kevin Chafin said it best. "We're gonna invade Peru."

Dirty Jersey

2009-10-13T11:00:00.000-07:00

Alright! At the end of this week Summit has a group traveling up to Dirty Jersey. While in Jeresy our group will be working with Maranatha Baptist Church to help get them back on their feet. We will be going up there to get their name out to the community and help them be a light to their community. The group will be gone all during their fall break. So please be in prayer for this group this week and as they travel to help another church. I know they are going to do some awesome things up there and touch a lot of lives.

On another note there is a trip to Peru that is scheduled for December 29-January5. There will be a group of about 5 going as a vision trip for the youth group trip in the summer. We are also looking to see what else we will be able to do for the other 2 or 3 trips that will be taking to Peru. Also we will be evangelizing and building more relationships with the people in the village. So get excited about that and start praying for the people in the village that we will be working with.

Tune in next time for some updates about the Jersey and Peru trips!

Matt Davis

Baltimore, and ship burning

2009-09-16T11:18:00.000-07:00

I'm currently sitting at the Barnes and Noble's in Baltimore, MD at the Inner Harbor. Across from me is a psychological "coach" meeting with another woman. I try not to ease drop on conversations, because I wouldn't want someone to do the same thing. However, when explicit language was being used ever-so-loudly I tend to notice, particularly when a woman is saying it (not to say that men should be able to use such language either).

I have no idea whatsoever what occurred for this woman to need a "coach", but I thought there would be sanctity within this commercial bookstore. That was a lie to myself, and a thought of an unconscious Christian. I need to repent. Why in the world would I not think that brokenness could be sipping coffee at Starbuck's outside on a veranda? As I walked around the Inner Harbor earlier, I noticed of course, all of the homeless people, and their brokenness is sitting right in front of me. I walked over the bridge and came inside here to think and try to make sense out of something that the Lord's dealing with me about (2 very wonderful things, and 1 quite scary). Yet here I am, focused on myself and "behold" here in front of me is two women that need Christ.

As Summit's Missions Ministry begins this upcoming semester with a Revitalization Trip to New Jersey, we must not think that the ministry has a beginning and an end. The beginning is when we accept Christ, and the end is when we are with Him for eternity. Ministry is a constant, and we must be open to it's consistency, and "inconvenience". None of us are perfect, we all need work... if not then what's the point of Christ. But in that need for work on ourselves, let us not forget that there are others who do not yet know Christ, and their lives (while no worse than our own), are in a great risk of never being brought to Christ; we must be aware.

Matt Davis is taking over the Missions Ministry at Summit Nation, and he is a current college student at CSU, who is a servant at heart, with a desire and passion for missions. Please begin to pray for him as he begins this ministry, and please begin to pray about going or supporting Summit's Vision for worship to be restored back to God through our desire for Christ.

Nick Ballenger

Fallin All Over CSU

2009-08-26T08:30:00.001-07:00

Well, students are most certainly here! Welcome back!

I spoke with the Pastor up in New Jersey where Summit Nation will hopefully be traveling up to for Fall Break. Summit will be going up to New Jersey to setup a revitalization partnership with a local church there.

We heard back today from a team that's in Peru and their stories of what went on was very encouraging. They did mention Michael Aiken, and it was nice to hear that even one person from Summit was making a difference in another continent even while most of us were "off" for summer break.

Summit exists to see worship restored through our desire for Christ. It is because of this desire that we have that we contemplate things like trips to Peru (which about 6 men will be heading over there for Christmas to plan a Youth Missions Trip to Peru later on in the summer of 2010), and also because of that desire that we seek to go to New Jersey and assist in whatever way possible, so that Christ is most glorified.

Begin to pray for those that will be heading out, and those that will be staying behind (holding the rope). Pray that Christians would be BOLD and COURAGEOUS and look for opportunities daily (even here on-campus) to lift Jesus highier and highier.

Nicholas

Upcoming Year

2009-08-18T07:55:00.001-07:00

So it's FALL AGAIN!

That means school starts back. It stinks because students (including myself) have to return to classes (which aren't that bad), but tests, and homework (the evils of learning)...those are awful.

It will be good to see friends, you honestly start missing people when they're not around, even if their personality is not quite your favorite...though you normally are quickly reminded upon their return. : )

Anyways, with all the students heading back to the Charleston area, that means SUMMIT NATION will be heading out again...so...

coming at SPRING BREAK, SUMMIT NATION will INVADE NEW JERSEY (aka Dirty Jerz).

We will be partnering with a local church in NJ to help with REVITALIZATION efforts up in the great northeast!

More info to follow on that...that being said...

We are also going once more into the land of PERU for Christmas Break (this will be a YOUTH GROUP VISION TRIP), so not so many college students, however, we will be sending in a team of 5 or so to evaluate an upcoming trip of college student mentors taking their youth group students (the Mentees...see below) they are mentoring over with them to PERU. For more info contact SUMMIT's Youth Pastor Jeremy Nuckolls (JNUCK) about that trip...and find out "how to be a mentor" to those in the YOUTH!

Another note, I've decided that those people who are being mentored by college students will now be called "mentees"...like minty, but spelled different...so to get you a MENTEE talk to JNUCK!

We will be working also to send some crazy mission folks N2 the SOUTHEAST ASIA area...if anyone wants to know more details, they should be at SUMMIT throughout the semester to hear more about these opportunities in the land that is not the place beside JAPAN.

So...there will be updates here throughout the year, but I encourage as always to come to SUMMIT and get INVOLVED PEOPLE!

Most "older" people are saying that this college-age generation is about CHANGE, and how they can "buy" products or go to stores that are initiating CHANGE, so here's your opportunity to change lives for CHRIST, and to make an ETERNAL DIFFERENCE in the world!

Welcome Back! Now LEARN something!

Nicholas

Vision and Systematic Theology

2009-07-02T21:21:00.000-07:00

Well, Apologetics is out of the way for this semester and now only a Systematic Theology exam tomorrow, then a break till August.

I spoke with Jeremy Pollett today and it was great to hear what God is doing in the life of Summit's College Ministry and Minister.

I asked Pollett how the College Ministry was looking and shaping up for the Fall with Eli Byrd helping out, and how his VISION was going for the Fall.

He told me that he was finalizing some ideas, though he was taking awhile with it because he didn't have peace about everything yet

This is good news! Its not that I rejoice in his struggles (though we are too as well), but that I know he's prayerfully considering where the Lord would lead him this Fall, and that he's praying over God's VISION for lives to be changed at CSU and Summit Nation in the Fall.

It leads me to a suggestion: I would like to suggest that those who read this that are Christian Leaders in their household begin to pray for a VISION from God of where He would want you to lead your family in the next year.

Most people don't like to talk about the "man is the head of the household", though biblically he is.

The problem however lies in the fact that WE are putting "authority" which is there, but sometimes misunderstood on the head of the household.

God should be the Leader, Overseer, Head of the household. I personally find that things work better to Gods glory and for my benefit (not necessarily meaning "beneficial in a worldly sense, but a biblical sense) if I seek God's will in it beforehand. So what, head of household, is God's VISION for your family this year.

Nicholas

Dragonbugs and the "Problem" of Sin

2009-06-30T13:54:00.000-07:00

Right now I'm in Peoria, IL still traveling for work, and I'll be away from Summit till July 20th or so. While I'm gone I am of course still working on my school work and thankfully finishing this last week before starting my final courses in the Fall.

Right now outside of my hotel room there are around 9 what I have called "death-dragon bugs", and I am afraid of them. They are best described as a dragon fly, with a string-rays tail, and a fly's body. They are extremely dangerous and have tried to kill people already, I believe they could've been the original plague sent by God to free the Jews from slavery in Egypt, now living in Illinois. Scary I know.

Also, I'm about to start typing my final research paper for Systematic Theology and my topic is "The Problem of Sin". I look forward to this 30 page paper because it will be something interesting to write about, and hopefully something that will teach me as well as others about the aforementioned topic. There are many different concepts to incorporate within this paper, and most of them will be coming from Scripture, while I must use at a minimum 10 resources as well (though I prefer to hear from the Ultimate Authority regarding biblical theology: the Word of God.

Anyways, I hope everyone is doing well at Summit, and to those in leadership there with me I pray that you are looking to the future, if the Lord tarries, and discovering what God's will is for your individual ministries within Summit.

Nick

Update Post

2009-06-16T07:52:00.000-07:00

Traveling for work has begun for me, and I arrived in Canton, OH yesterday with Matt Davis for ALIVE '09. I was sickly on Sunday, so was unable to make it to church and worship band practice, but Matt told me that church was amazing, and that Jon went off a little crazy (could've figured that).

Anyways, regarding missions, it looks like this upcoming Spring Break may be spent in New Jersey to work with revitalizing a church up there. Revitalizing is a lot different then what we are doing in Huarochiri, Peru. In Peru we are working to create indigenious church plants that can be setup there and multiplied throughout the villages and region. In New Jersey we will be working to revitalize a dying existing church, and see how God will choose to use Summit up there.

Planting is got behind it the momentum of starting something new. Everyone gets excited about new things (i.e. movies, cars, music, etc.). Revitalizing is more like working in physical therapy program with a stubborn old man that knows that his knee is not like it should be, but in his pride would rather gimp along with a cane and think that he's doing just fine. There's no excitement in that; no one ever goes "Yay, you've got a cane!", unless you've progressed to that from a wheelchair...which again is somewhat descriptive of an act of revitalizing.

So, that's one area that Summit is looking at for Spring Break. I say "one" because Summit will also be looking at continuing to take missions teams over to Peru, as well as looking into "Martyr Missions".

Martyr Missions (is what I'm calling it), is where Summit will take a team of trained mission witnesses into an area where the gospel has not been in order to establish an indigenious church plant, and spread the good news to places it has not gone.

These mission trips and adoptions of people groups will be to those that are unreached by the gospel, and that people have no idea of how they will respond to outside people coming into their village. This is the "ends of the earth" crowd, and that is another area in which we are commanded to.

Stay up on the blog to hear more about what's going on this summer with Summit and my travels, as welll as Missions opportunities that Summit will be attempting later on starting this Fall semester.

Grace and Peace,
Nick

welcome home

2009-05-17T10:00:00.000-07:00

Well, we just passed the exit 4 Summerville, SC so we will b there shortly. Thanks again 2 every1. Corey and Nic 4 picking us up and being so gratious 2 help us w our luggage and smelly selves. We all need 2 shower, and get some good "home" food. Look 4ward 2 updating u on future missions and Peru partnerships
May 09 Peru Team
Summit Nation

Leaving

2009-05-16T16:44:00.000-07:00

In a little bit we will be heading back to the states. I know everyone will be happy to be back in the US, though I think that you may hear about some of Summit Nation returning sooner than expected to Peru.

This trip has been amazing! To see the students grow and interact and give the gospel unashamedly has been an inspiration. The lives that were changed, and the hearts that have become compassionate will be transformed forever.

This group has grown closer together and God has used them to bring His good news to the town of Huarochiri, and the surrounding villages (by their influence). The students have matured in life, and as well in Christ and will be looking forward for opportunities to share their faith and walk as Christ did throughout their lives.

Christie, Michael, and I will be leaving for the airport in 15 mins, and the rest of the group will meet me at the airport later on this evening around 9pm or so. Christie and Michael flew in on a different air service than everyone else, and their flight is a bit earlier, thus the division. In the future this is something that we will most likely not allow, but this time it was great that we did because God was able to change lives through them, and late sometimes to us, is perfect timing to God.

Thanks again to everyone who gave, who prayed, and who sent us off to do the work of the Lord. We look forward to partnering with you in the future, and ask for your continued prayers for the people and lives that have been transformed by the good news of Christ.

One last thing I'll leave you with is: There was this man in another village that we spoke with and he told the students there in the school that we were "...bringing a message of faith, hope, and love, and that this message will answer so many problems for us, because we have no priest, and they say that with Jesus you need no priest". And to that we say: "...where Jesus, who went before us, has entered on our behalf. He has become a high priest forever, in the order of Melchizedek" Hebrews 6:20

Thank you again, and we will see you soon!

Peru Team
Summit Nation

Update 2

2009-05-14T13:25:00.000-07:00

So today we started out eating breakfast at 7am (eggs, rice, and plantines), it was great! Pollett and Kevin´s team (Alyssa, Katie, Trey, Twinkie, Brandon, Whitney, Rebecca) (if I left anyone out I apologize), went back to San Lorenzo de Quinti to play futbol with the kids there, and yesterday they had an amazing time.

So Ricky and I´s team (Christie, Jacob, Sonja, Michael, Gloria, Shelby, and Amber) went to hike an hour and a half up the Andes Mountains to a cow farm where we played with the kids from 8am - 1pm, then came back down the mountain (40mins) to rest.

Shelby did get a good bit of altitude sickness, and I got my mosquito bites checked out and the doctor here even prescribed me some medicine for them (not a big deal). So since Shelby was sick, Sonja, and our translator stayed back with her until we came back.

We bought 400 pieces of bread and were able to hand them out to the children for lunch for today´s "field trip". Gloria managed to get the most of the cow farm on herself (nuff said) out of the group, and Jacob once again wreslted all the boys in the school.

It was sad to leave all of the children, but we may play with them again this evening, though everyone is wore out and tired (kinda smelly too). Anyways, looking forward to a "day off" to relax and get to meet people and culture in Lima on Friday. Can´t wait to get home and tell and show everyone what God has done over here.

Also, the girl who runs the Hostile that half of our team is staying at became a Christian today with help from Michael and Ricky, so for that alone this trip has been worth it. Pray that she will read her Spanish/English Bible that we left, and that she´ll be able to be a strong woman of God and enjoy support from the coming teams.

Updating when possible.

Nicholas and the Peru Team

First Update...may be last one till we are back in Lima

2009-05-13T17:36:00.000-07:00

I want to go ahead and apologize for not updating sooner. I know that there are a good many parents watching this blog for a post about how we are doing here in Peru, including everyone in the Summit Nation family at home.

Let me tell you what God is doing here in Huarochiri, Peru.

We arrived in Huarochiri Monday evening around 7:30pm or so, and ate beef and noodles (which we just had again about 10 minutes ago). Then we discussed the next day´s events and went to sleep.

Tuesday, Kevin and Pollett´s teams (Twinkie, Alyssa, Brandon, Whitney, Trey, and Rebecca) went to San Lorenzo de Quinti, a town about 45 minutes drive from Huarochiri and they were able to meet some people in the town and begin to build some future relationships with them as well.

My team (Gloria, Amber, Shebly, Sonja, Christie, Ricky, Jacob, and Michael) split into two teams as well and the smaller team (Ricky, Christie, Sonja, and myself) went to the hospital to meet with Dr. Anna. We were able to deliver 70+ toothbrushes for the dentist office (which is in the hospital) to distribute. The other team went to the Elementary school and were able to begin playing soccer and basketball with the children. After our small team met up with them we had a conversation with the principal and setup a time for Wednesday that we could come back.

We then went to prayer walk around the town of Huarochiri, and some of the team played with children, while Ricky and myself met with the local priest. He basically asked us "Why are you here?", and we responded well, enough for him to allow us to continue to work in the town and minister to the people to share the love of Christ.

After that, we all gathered in the square and played soccer, freeze tag, and hide and go seek with around 50 children. One of the women at the end of playing said "Thank so much for playing with the kids, our children have not played like this for a long time". Which was really encouraging to hear. We then went to the high school where we were basically told that we were not welcome there, and then went to prayer walk around again.

Today we went to the school at 8am and were able to go into each individual classroom and present the gospel to the kids! Which is amazing to be allowed to do that! Kevin and Pollett´s team went down to another village: Ayucupa (sp?), and had an amazing time with some people, but will be going to San Lorenzo again tomorrow to play soccer with the kids there.

Tomorrow my team will be heading back to the Elementary school to hike up the mountains and have a field day of sorts. We were able to provide food for lunch for tomorrow for the children, and should be there from 8am to 3:30pm tomorrow, followed by soccer with the adults at 4:30pm. Most likely, we will play in the square again tomorrow.

Friday morning we will be heading back to Lima to have some time to rest and have some fun as well.

Saturday night we will board the plane and head back home to arrive in Charleston between 12pm and 4pm (allowing time for traffic).

There are phones here in Huarochiri, and I know some of the students have contacted their parents. Most of them have facebooked people, and they are taking many pictures and videos (enough that you will be able to experience the culture entirely). : )

Some people have gotten a little sick, minor stomach aches, sunburns, bug bites, etc, but everyone is doing very well, especially those who have never been out of the country or even on a missions trip.

I would like to thank everyone that supported this trip by giving financially, and in your time, but mostly in your prayer. People are being ministered to here, and we believe that Summit with God´s help can do the work of the Lord here and see these people join in a relationship with Christ.

We do miss everyone, and we long to be home of course (we are very tired), but as Paul would say "we are fulfilling what is lacking in Christ suffering" for their benefit. So that while they cannot "see" Jesus walking around, we pray that they would see us and know Him.

Thanks again, and I´ll update as soon as possible (though I don´t know when that will be). : )

Nicholas and the Peru Team
Summit Church

We Have Arrived

2009-05-10T23:04:00.001-07:00

Everyone is safe and sound in Mira Flores right now. We did lose Twinkies sleepingbag on the way here, but other than that everything else arrived ok. Even my bag.

Tomorrow morning at 7am we will be heading up to Huarochiri and then splitting up into teams to begin. Hopefully we will be able to continue to update as we go along, though sometimes the internet is sketch up there.

To all the parents: everyone is ok, no one is sickly, though Glorias ears need to pop, and the plane ride was long.

We will update as much as possible. Till then, please continue to pray for us as we begin our work here.

Peru Team

Sunday Sunday Sunday!

2009-05-08T06:42:00.000-07:00

Well, it's that time! This Sunday we'll be leaving for Peru, so if you haven't packed yet, better get on it (which means me). Also, we were contacted today about trip insurance, so if you haven't responded to Kevin's email, you need to do so immediately. Sad to hear that Brandon Bennett will not be able to go with us, but I think we will be able to use his ticket for him later on (maybe December, Pollett is checking). I'm pumped to go, I believe that we are going to have an amazing time, and that the Lord is going to work through us in a mighty way! Great things are happening at Summit right now, and it's just the summer. I cannot wait for the rest of the students to return to join in the work of God. Today I got some great news from some great friends! Also, this morning I had a guy email to ask how he could serve in Summit, said he didn't have much time but felt like he needed to be used in anyway. We NEED MEN, we must have Biblical Christian God-glorifying MEN to serve! Women are very important, but honestly they've been doing a lot of work. The MEN need to step it up and be leaders and be servants and get involved! (that's a rant for another time) While all of this great stuff is going at Summit and God is moving, we also see some families with issues of conflict, those that have family memebers who are sick or are dying in some cases. We must continue to keep these in prayer and minister to these families in anyway in their time of need. Get ready for Peru! Those that are going pack, those that are not PRAY! You are either a sender or a messenger sent and supported by someone. Everything that everyone has done for this 1st Summit mission trip of many (if the Lord sees fit), is appreciated and we are so very thankful for your prayers and time. We hope to bring back news that God is at work and the gospel is spreading through the villages, in any part, we've seen the Lord move through you and glorify God for that.

"But how are they to call on him in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in him of whom they have never heard? And how are they to hear without someone preaching? And how are they to preach unless they are sent? As it is written, "How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the good news!" But they have not all obeyed the gospel. For Isaiah says, "Lord, who has believed what he has heard from us?" So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ.But I ask, have they not heard? Indeed they have, for "Their voice has gone out to all the earth, and their words to the ends of the world." Romans 10:13-18

- Ballenger

Wayne Grudem on Theology from Advance 09 Blog

2009-05-04T05:40:00.000-07:00

Dr. Wayne Grudem Addresses the Advance 09 Crowd from The Resurgence on Vimeo.

Praying as if...

2009-04-18T11:32:00.000-07:00

"Praying as if you wanted God to hear you". This is a quote from a newspaper article that Francis Chan read on his VCast at Cornerstone Simi Valley.

Do we do that? Do we pray as if we want God to hear us? Sometimes, I think we do. Sometimes not.

What do you think about only praying when you want God to hear you? Not praying for food your actually not thankful for, and not praying before you sleep because you're supposed to pray before you go to sleep. But to actually pray because you want God to hear you.

Because you want God to hear you.

What would you say to Him when you know He's listening?

You have the Creator of the universe, the Author and Perfecter of your faith, the Lord who hanged on a cross and gave His mother to His friend John, the Christ who who appeared to Thomas and let him see for himself, Jesus who ascended into heaven and sits at the Father's right hand, and the King who will return and bring about revelation.

What do you have to say? Why are you praying?

The important part is not what you say. It's the heart behind it. There are so many wonderful things going on when you pray; it is so ultimately glorifying to God, and you're probably unaware.

The first thing is that you're being obedient to God by obeying His commands (pray without ceasing, this is how you should pray, etc.), the second is that you're submitting to His authority and power (because logically why would you ask someone who cannot help you to help you), thirdly you're putting Him as worthy (worthy to be spoken to, listened to, share time with, etc.), and finally you're seeking His will [submitting to whatever He does, for whatever reason, and giving everything into His hands because He knows better (Isa 55)].

Go PRAY!

Nicholas

Teaching? Really?

2009-04-14T07:05:00.000-07:00

There has recently been a lot of teaching going on at Summit, and throughout the Christian community. It may be that I'm on a college campus that I see more, but opportunities to learn seem to be everywhere you look. Tonight the College Ministry will deal with the question and answer of Predestination. When dealing with a topic like Predestination, you're bound to run into free will.

I'm not going to try to anwer the question of Predestination right now (I'm going to leave that up to this evening), but I will provide information for you to consider.

Here is Scripture which mentions predestination in the context that we are discussing, which is "God ordained, or predestined, some things to happen before time (i.e. someone's salvation, someone's damnation)".

Romans 8 and 9
Ephesians 1

I would list the individual cases, but I encourage you to read and understand for yourself. Through the reading of Romans, specifically chapters 8 and 9, I have determined that God has a ordained will, and His will occurs no matter our choices. God sees time differently and knows our plans before we were born, and this frustrates some people, but I would argue that the frustration is an incorrect interpretation of something that should be comforting to us (as long as we're Christians).

If God knows everything ahead of time, then we shouldn't be frustrated in not being able to throw one by God, but delighted in knowing that the Lord of the universe is able to comfort us knowing our decisions, and that He is in control of everything.

Most people dislike control, and that's understood, because any control that we're aware of here in this life is controlled by imperfect people, not a perfect and loving God.

Frustration comes in imperfection, because the things that we desired or hoped for, will fall short of our expectations. If we desire and hope for God's best, knowing that His best is best for us, then our expectations cannot fall short, because God's abilities are eternal. It would be that our expectations are incorrect of God, rather than His performance is unable to satisfy.

I would reason that the Creator of the world, including the oceans, mountains, and all life would be able to satisfy our desires, assuming that they are correct desires, which should be in Him and only Him; in Him is where we should seek our satisfaction and meaning.

So maybe I went away from Predesination a bit, you should probably just come this evening if you really want to know. But rather than relying on a teacher, or a teaching evening. read the Scripture and trust in God concerning predestination, and everything else for that matter.

Nicholas

Lots Going On

2009-04-01T06:38:00.001-07:00

Right now there is a ton of stuff occurring throughout the world. Pollett was reading an article today, ok actually many individual articles, but he was reading about asteroids killing the planet, one world currency, and then of course followed up by super-volcanos, and solar-flares. So basically a lot is going on.

Everyone in our church and at CSU seems to have a lot going on as well. This is not a blog entry to tell you to "relax, and take some time with God this week, knowing full-well He has it under His control"...which He does, and you know that.

This is a blog entry to let you know that it is HARD, it is not EASY, the familiar quote of "if it were easy everyone would do it" comes into play daily, but ultimately provides no comfort. All I can say is that trust in God is good, beneficial, and a great hope to grab hold of. Trust in men will fail you, always. Leading a ministry, being a substantial help in a ministry, including school, including work, including family and friends, and maybe something fun for yourself once a month is the norm now. Everyone has a lot on their plate, and it's just tough.

But, it becomes tougher when we live in our strength, and try to accomplish things that God has not led us to. When we take on things that we don't have time for and have to negate successful study or time with the Lord over things that are less important, and some things are less important. Anytime someone picks something, he or she picks that thing over something else, therefore showing the importance of one thing over another. And ultimately that thing is normally not God; that's when we fail.

Luckily the Lord is gracious enough to forgive us, raise us up, and even sometimes allow us to accomplish those things we desire, in His strength, just so that we know it is He who allows, and He who is strong enough; we are not. So understand that this is a realism entry, an observation, and a vain attempt to scream priorities at your life, while reading this in between work and everything else.

God is good, our help comes from Him, ultimately we deserve Hell and everything that we get besides that is just grace...abounding everyday. Everyone's got a lot, which means everyone's got a lot to pray for...we should be on our knees, looking for strength and rest.

You know what to do, but you don't do it. You'd even like to do what you should, but you don't. You do what you ultimately don't want to do, and you even complain about it, but maybe it's what you desire outside of God that controls your time. Again, you know what you should do. Congratulations on becoming Paul.

Ballenger

Leaving Today...well kinda tomorrow

2009-03-14T06:13:00.000-07:00

So our flight leaves at 12am tomorrow morning, though we'll probably head to the airport at about 8pm tonight to make sure we have more than enough time to be there and go through checks and everything. Then to an 7 hour flight from Lima to Atlanta where we will go through customs and hopefully be able to either get a faster flight straight to Charleston, or just rent a car and head home via Hyundai...or as I call it: the Porsche.

Yesterday we went to the Indian Market and I was able to buy Brandie something, and we were also able to pick something up for those that are coming to Peru in May as well, though I'm not saying what.

Also, the group that was kinda staying here with us from Troy University headed back last night as well, and then Kevin, Pollett, and I finished watching the BEST MOVIE EVER: DareDevil...if you have not seen it, leave now and go to wherever videotapes or movies of anykind are sold, and or rented, and buy it, and or rent it...and watch it.

Another point, we got "lost" yesterday for...well about 3 hours...which is a long time in flipflops, at least our feet think so. Though we did end up finding our way back via a Pizza Hut that put all American Pizza Huts to shame. This place had menus with appetizers and desserts in them...which we just don't have in the US. Amazing.

Anyways, Pollett and Kevin are ready to go to Starbuck's (apparently a daily Peruvian tradition), and so we shall go.

Nicholas, Kevin, Pollett

BACKPACK BACK

2009-03-12T20:26:00.000-07:00

Well, tonight when we got back into Mira Flores (Look at the flowers), we called Delta and BEHOLD, they had my backpack. After catching a cab with JB (jungleboy...our translator), we were off to pick up the thing just so that I could put it on another flight on Saturday evening.

Right now we're all staying in the mission house in Mira Flores and most likely going to go surfing tomorrow (the waves are around 8ft normally).

I've been surprised to check my email and update the blog while we've been here (really didn't estimate that)...but it's been really awesome to be able to do that.

I'm gonna go to sleep now and get ready to go surfing tomorrow as well as the Indian Market (stuff we're doing since we only have one day left). I will post pictures on here as soon as we get back, plus video, but for now check out Peru Project on Facebook and see the pictures Pollett just uploaded.

Nicholas, Pollett, and Kevin

Able to post again...amazing

2009-03-11T12:06:00.000-07:00

So today we woke up at 7am and walked up to the high-school and were able to see the kids get into ¨"formation" before heading into their classes. Afterwards, the Social Science teacher: Walter introduced us to his class and allowed us to ask questions as well as be asked questions. It was great being able to connect with those kids, and then yesterday with the town doctor Victor and the Elementary school as well.

After we visited with them we had breakfast: bread and jelly in the plaza in the middle of Huarochiri. Then we drove to another town and met with a teacher at their local school as well. Huaorchiri is surrounded by little villages beside one another, and each one is basically the same, except for a couple of differences, not in customs but in appearances and how often the priest visits.

The mayor of Huarochiri has not been here the entire time we have, and most likely we´ll not get to met him while we´re here, maybe next time. We are going to go back to Lima tomorrow because the roads are open again, as they were closed due to the rain and constant fog we´re experiencing. The buses here arrive at 4am or so and then throughout the day as well, and they sound their horn (which is fairly loud, specifically at that time), and then people who have been gone for months get off the bus and others get on. There are way more people here now beacuse of the buses being able to come back.

I will try again to update once we arrive in Lima tomorrow as I search yet again for the backpack.

Nicholas, Kevin, and Pollett

Peruvian Mountains

2009-03-10T16:09:00.000-07:00

Right now I´m sitting in an "internet cafe" surrounded by Kevin and little girls laughing at us. We´re about to go and eat dinner, and we´ve been taking parasite medicine everytime we eat, as well as altitude medicine every 8 hours.

Today we drove around some very interesting cliffs to get to a city called San Lorenzo de Quinti. Earlier this morning we went to the Elementary school in Huarochiri and played futbol as well as sang some songs. Pollett and I lost our 2 v 97 futbol match 9-2...we were put to shame, and Pollett fell down a hill.

Also, we saw some llamas and were blocked in traffic by some cows for about 10mins or so. Breakfast was fried eggs over rice with bread, lunch was beef soup with beef and rice and potatoes, and for dinner tonight we´re having chucha (which is what we had last night: fried trout and french fries or fritatas).

Tomorrow we´re going to the highschool to meet with their students, and then I´m not sure.

Hope to use the internet at some other point while we´re here, but it might not be possible till Thursday or Friday.

I´m also praying that my backpack (which I´m still without) is at the Lima airport when we return; I´m going to check again when we get back to Lima, and once more if necessary before we hope on the plane to Atlanta.

Hope everyone is doing well, Pollett´s been a little sick, Kevin was a little this morning, but mostly everyone has been good.

Nicholas

In Peru...

2009-03-08T05:28:00.000-07:00

So we arrived last night at 12:30am in Lima Peru, and Mike Weaver met us in the airport to take us to the hotel we would be staying at. The flights getting here were very long and tedious, and the airline lost my large backpack (which we´re hoping to get back today maybe around 11pm or so).

We just finished having breakfast, and it was great...consisted of eggs, juices, fruit, and biscuits. The hotel that we´re in right now is immaculate by Peruvian standards, and even some American ones.

Our iChat that we were supposed to have with Summit will not happen today because of a lack of internet access with Pollett´s mac; so that is sad.

There will be more to tell later, I believe that we may be staying in Lima today, though there is the possibilty of going to the missions area at this point as well (which is fine). I´ll update more as I can, but wé are here in Lima, it´s about 75 degrees and overcast.

Nick, Pollett, and Kevin

PERU Here We Come (Vision Trip)

2009-02-27T09:57:00.000-08:00

So, lo and behold I looked at my calendar this week and noticed that I'll be in Peru for the Vision Trip in six days! This Saturday is of course the Summit Missions Yard Sale, so if you have some stuff to sell to benefit the Missions Team (for the Missions Trip), please bring it tonight to Ladson Road around 7:45pm. Also, if you would like to help us sell the items, please come tomorrow morning at 7am to the Ladson Road Building and we'll set you up.

Jeremy, Kevin, and myself have been working out (at least twice now) to ensure our survival at such a high altitude (12,000ft in 3 hours). As we have been preparing for this, we then got an interesting story where someone had almost died from altitude sickness, and so that kinda dampers something.

Please begin to pray for us (if you haven't yet), and keep us in your mind as we get ready to head off to below the equator. Hope to see you there with us in May!

Update

2009-02-16T12:52:00.000-08:00

Ok, Kevin, Pollett, and I are going to be meeting on Wednesday to hash out some future plans, and discuss the March Vision Trip, as well as plane tickets, vacc(s)., rental trucks, etc.

Look for an update on here after that meeting as far as WHEN we're looking to purchase tickets and get everything going for May.

I know it seems like a good ways away, but it's important when going such a distance, and for having limited time, that we prepare adequately in advance to do the work we're called to.

Any questions, please list them on here by commenting, or on the Peru Group on facebook.com.

Thanks!

P.s. And to all that went to the beach retreat YOU'RE AMAZING! Unless Jacob is reading, then he owes me...like lunch, or some monetary recompense. j/k : )

Regretful Joy

2009-01-07T12:31:00.001-08:00

Two things...

1) Regretful joy in heaven. I have just began reading Life as a Vapor by John Piper, and in there he writes about regretful joy in heaven. This concept made me think a good bit, and it seems logical, and wonderful.

Piper says that there will be regret in heaven, so that Christ will be most glorified. The regret that will be felt, or rather at least known of will be one for the sin that was committed and sentenced the necessity of Christ to the cross. The "joy" part of that, is how glorious the saving power of Christ on the cross is, and will ever be.

To know fully who Christ is, is to see Him as everything that He is. Therefore, we must know Him as Savior as well. To know Him as Savior, we must assume that He had to save us from something; that "something" is sin...ours. Since we will see our sin in heaven, and know that we were meant for damnation and accursed through our own choices, Christ is most glorious to us through the saving grace that He offers and we receive. So while we (who are believers) will be in heaven and with God, we will know for eternity what Christ has done: great things.

2) The idea of grafting appears many times throughout the Bible. I've always heard about how the Gentiles are grafted into the tree of life through Christ into the family of Abraham/Israel, so that they might inherit the kingdom of God.

The one thing I haven't thought about (till last night), was that all people had to be grafted into this kingdom of God: Israel, this family of Abraham's offspring (even Abraham). The grafting is a result of faith. Through faith Abraham was credited as righteous (grafted into community with God).

In the beginning, God created us for worship and community with Himself. We destroyed that through sin, however, God reconciled us to Himself through Christ and our faithfulness given to us by Him.

Abraham and everyone else in the world that is accursed (Rom 3:23), must be grafted in through faith in Christ. So while Gentiles were grafted into the Israel/Abraham family of faith, in actuality the whole world (including them) had to be grafted into restored, redeemed, regenerated community with God through faith in Christ.

Nicholas

Peru Update - Mission Trip May 10-17th

2009-01-05T11:46:00.001-08:00

We are looking forward to seeing everyone at the next Peru Meeting for Summit Nation!

The meeting will take place at the Ladson Road Site on January 18th, 2009 at 5pm before church. Please bring your questions and continue to pray and pray about supporting the Peru Missions Team in May. Those that are definitely interested in going, please remember that

HALF OF THE TRIP PAYMENT IS DUE TO BUY YOUR FLIGHT TICKET BY FEB 1ST!

Also, there will be a Peru/PLACE Conference at Folly Beach on Feb 6th through the 8th to begin team building and work towards the trip!

I can't wait to see who God calls to Peru, and how amazingly He uses those that are faithful to His will. Hope you have a great week! HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Nicholas

Vision Trip and Giving

2008-12-17T05:13:00.000-08:00

Two days ago Pollett and I bought the plane tickets for the Vision Trip that we will be taking over to Lima, Peru in March during Spring Break. It's crazy to even think about at this point that Summit is about to become an overseas partner with a people group. Our "little" church is going to do something in another continent. That's amazing!

Of course we say "little church", but everyone knows (hopefully) that it's God, not us who chooses to will and to act according to His good purpose and pleasure. The Vision Trip has been getting some questions from people in the church (particualry this past Sunday) about "what" will be happening on that, and "why" is there a need for a Vision Trip? I will answer these now.

We are about to embark on partnering with a people group. That doesn't mean this is a single mission trip, it doesn't mean that we are going to meet some people over there and make sure it's "ok" to come back. It means that we are going over there ahead of time to begin a relationship with this people group, to see who we are able to work with and feel God's calling towards, to meet with the Mayor's of these many small villages, to work with the International Mission Board to see where Summit will be staying, and what we need to prepare for once we're there in May.

I will write more this later as we begin to plan the Vision Trip, and see what God is doing over there.

Nicholas Eph 5:1

Peru Meeting

2008-12-09T04:57:00.000-08:00

SUMMIT NATION INVADES PERU?!?

This entry is to say "thank you" to all the people that showed up with interest in the Peru Missions trip. We will be meeting again in January (date underdetermined at this point) to discuss a little further in detail what the plan is for May, and then there will be more informational, team-building, fund-raising, and training meetings as we procede.

For anyone who is seriously considering going to Peru, I would like to recommend that you begin now with a small training schedule (if you do not hike, play sports, etc.....but then you may want to do it consistently for one week anyways). Some people will be in high altitude situations, and your body will be expected to walk for some distances having less oxygen than normal; so please be aware of that up front. Not everyone will be doing this, however, I would recommend an excercise routine for everyone who is considering going, because God may use you in a way that we didn't plan for, and we need to be ready to be used by Him in any capacity.

One of the best things (to me), as well as the most exciting, is the fact that only 2% of the people that we'll be working with have ever heard the gospel. It will be a tremendous opportunity for us to share Christ, and pray to see people come to Him...imagine a village receiving the Lord and sharing in our hope and joy. Hope to see you there!

Peru...the next Whosoever

2008-11-23T21:37:00.000-08:00

It was announced at Summit this morning (or rather yesterday morning), that we will be embarking on a Missions Trip to Peru. This is a very exciting thing. The best part about this is that God will be glorified in our time over there as we seek and serve Him.

Another great thing that I see is the opportunity that is at hand for all of Summit Nation. I know that most of you will not go to Peru with us (because you do not feel called by God to do so), however, this is your chance as a church body to support your fellow brothers and sisters in the calling of God to Peru.

You will be able to support the team financially, but more importantly through prayer and fasting. Understand that I know I just wrote in a way that one seems to supersede the other, and I meant that, however, both are very important and very necessary if we are to fulfill this calling we have at Summit (Acts 1:8). I will write more about this later, and other announcements will follow of course, be sure to keep updated on this Blog or at the Summit Nation Station in the Chapel Lobby at CSU (11am on Sundays).

As I'm away right now at the National Youth Workers Convention in Nashville, TN I can't help but miss Summit and the people of Summit Nation (my joy and sadness to the volleyball team...we'll get'em next year).

New Orleans Video via Pollett

2008-10-23T11:04:00.000-07:00

More Pictures

2008-10-23T11:00:00.001-07:00

Pictures

2008-10-20T20:17:00.001-07:00

As promised...

12 hour drive...and a lot of scratches

2008-10-15T10:18:00.000-07:00

White Lightining is no longer with us...
but the spirit of our mighty van lives on with all who rode in her.

We got home last night at CSU at 11:00pm EST, and everyone was ready to go to bed. A 12 hour drive is never fun, but with the people that were on the trip it certainly seemed to go by quickly. Radio trivia was the game we played, and there was a lot of friendly competition.

The last day in New Orleans, I did not update because...well because we were all so very tired.

The day started at 9am and we began by going over and finishing off the roof and the dry-wall throughout the whole house. Then after a quick lunch (which was interrupted by the dumpster driver taking the wrong dumpster...though they were both orange), we moved back into the house to what would prove to be the most difficult of the work so far.

The men went on top of the roof and began to punch holes in the ceilings with the sledge-hammers, while the ladies worked diligently below picking up the falling pieces and cleaning up the yard. Towards the afternoon, it began to rain: HARD.

We called the project complete for our time and reluctantly went inside away from what we thought would've been an empty parking lot, but was still a framed mess of a house.

We then ventured downtown once again to New Orleans (proper), and tried to eat two other places before being told of a fairly decent place by some tattooed woman who (I believe) scared Jeremy Pollett.

Later that night, Bo "Jackson" "Superman" Herbert taught us about how God already has everything in the world, including ourselves, so why do we view anything as a sacrifice to God. Bo's message was great and really was something that everyone needed to hear.

I will post pictures later once I've downloaded them on the next post. Back to work I go I go.

The Big Easy

2008-10-12T18:28:00.000-07:00

WELL I HAD SAID THAT I WOULDN'T...

but I felt like I needed to at least mention "the Big Easy" one time throughout this blog.

Today we got to iChat with you at Summit! That was an AWESOME part of the day! Everyone here misses Summit sooo much, so it was great to be with you, even if it was on the computer.

After iChatting it up with you, we went to church here at Westwego Baptist and got to hear their Pastor Jay talk about the introduction to 1st Corinthians. After church, we ate some sandwiches and went to the 9th ward and New Orleans. Pastor Jay took us around the town and gave the BEST TOUR in the WORLD about the city (apparently he's a big history buff). Then, we went and hung out in the French Quarter Market and got to see some amazing things (some of which I cannot say...and some of which not so amazing).

Then we came back from the tour, we got back at working on the house and managed to get most of the roof of today. The girls have been working like crazy and tonight they made dinner for us! After we had dinner we had a time of worship and now we are watching "Amazing Grace".

Miss everyone.

Bringing down the HOUSE

2008-10-11T19:53:00.000-07:00

SO HERE WE ARE...

tearing down the house in Westwego, LA. We just got finished having our "Summit" worship service (and the Lord's Supper) upstairs in the youth room of the church we're staying in.

Today, we began to tear down the house for the church, and after an entire day of work we've managed to take out all the windows, tear out the cabinets, rip off the shingles, and knock out all the dry-wall.

What's been surprising so far has been the ladies on the trip; they've been swinging the sledge-hammers and I think everyone has at least one minor injury (whether that be cuts or scraps or blisters). Everyone is in agreement that we are very tired, and that we will be crazy sore tomorrow.

Brandie and I are going to make a run to Piggly Wiggly now and get some more supplies for the rest of the time we are here.

Hopefully tomorrow will be able to talk to the Summit at home and update you during church.

Nick

We leave today...in about 11 hours

2008-10-09T21:24:00.000-07:00

Honey...should I bring the...

At least that's what it sounds like at my house right now. Brandie and I (along with my brother Tripp) are packing up our stuff (like slackers) here at 12am the night before. Tomorrow it's breakfast at the Buck's and then to pickup our rental vans that will take us down to New Orleans.

I'm really looking forward to what God is going to do throughout our team, and our church through this trip.

I spent the last two days in Greenville, SC because my Uncle Phil passed away. He had been in the hospital and it was kind of expected, however, you never know when and how it will happen and make you feel.

My family is great though, they have said that I should go ahead and continue on the trip so that I can do God's work. Phil's wife (my aunt) told me that my Uncle would've wanted me to go and do the work. So now, I'm looking forward to being with my church family and showing people the love of God through our work and time, so that people will come to know Christ.

I will update the blog for the rest of the trip everyday and there will be pictures of what we are doing. Can't wait...need sleep.

New Orleans - To Be a Christ to the WHOSOEVER

2008-10-06T12:43:00.000-07:00

NEW ORLEANS

I can't wait for this weekend! Summit Church is going to be taking our 1st ever official Missions Trip down to New Orleans. We will be working with West Vego Church down there and they have been amazing at setting us up and providing us additional information as needed. I think it's wonderful when churches come together and work to be Christ to those hurting and in need...it doesn't happen enough.

Recently I've been reading alot, and in a way I've had to, but I've also really enjoyed what God has been showing me throughout my reading. I finished the book The Gutter by Craig Gross (the founder of XXXChurch.com), and I was amazed by the attitude and heart behind everything that was written as well as the situations that were described.

The best quote from the book was from one of Gross' friends who said "you can't blame the darkness for being dark, but you can blame the light for not shining in it". That's probably where I am with our Missions Team. I'm not blaming anyone, but I am calling us to act.

So many times, every Sunday, we take in, or even worse we don't, and then we keep God to ourselves. The only way we'd invite someone to church is if they said "Hey can we come to your church", and we said YES you can. It's sad when people aren't excited...not about their church building or their Pastor, or whatever, but when they are not excited about Christ and what that could mean to another person.

Ultimately, we're all beggars telling another beggar where to find food, and in that we should not become a "Holy Huddle" and keep Christ to ourselves, but share Him as if it were to be food to a starving person. I know everyone has seen those commercials where they show the starving children and how you could feed them through awesome groups like Compassion international and Children's Hunger Fund, but imagine those physicial needs that we see flashed in front of us are nothing like the spiritual needs that people have...the only difference is instead of seeing a bloated belly and the tears of a mother in need, we see a BMW driving man who is cheating on his wife and wondering how to pay off debt (we think "that guys evil and in trouble...maybe even trouble he desserves", and that's because we're so quick to forget the fact that we were in the trouble, we were evil, and we were well deserving of Hell...but Christ thought more of us...enough to lay down His life.

Now, we need to do the same "to love our neighbors as Christ has loved us", and to see people as "pre-Christian", the future Son/Daughter of a King.