Christmas Letter 2006
IT’S CHRISTMAS ALREADY!?!?!?!
The year has truly been one to remember. Let me trek you through the journeys of the past 365 days:
I graduated from Impact International School of Ministry (http://www.impactministries.com) - after having read five of Dr. Jim Richards’ books, I put my house on the market and headed to Huntsville, AL last year. The school taught me incredible material and powerful tools for quality relationships, effective communication and empowerment counseling.
While in school, I met a young lady, Samantha, who introduced me to a new sport, Ultimate Fighting. At first, I thought the sport was brutal and “how can a girl watch this?” I did some research to find out the many strategies, skills and abilities the athletes disciplined. Soon, I was hooked. A number of us would gather at Samantha’s house every week to watch different competitions and of course, the Pay-Per-View match ups.
In addition, Samantha and I were spending time together as a part of the college and career ministry. So neither of us really knows when we started “dating”. We were just really good friends. Most of the time, all we do is laugh - I like that. I can always be myself around her and Samantha the same. She’s brilliant, charming, sweet and kind. A relationship has developed and I’m smitten. I’ll keep you posted…
After school in May, I headed down to Mexico for a week to minister up in the mountains with another Sam, Sam Sims. He and I were able to share a simple message of God’s love to the mountain villagers south of Saltillo, Mexico. We didn’t just talk about it, we hugged, served and counseled, demonstrating our love through action. Many lives were touched and changed, including our own.
Over the summer, Samantha, her daughter Sydney, Sam and Gabby Sims and I all headed down to Horn Island off the coast of Biloxi, Mississippi. We experienced real wilderness camping for three days with no running water, toilets or civilization. It was such a cool adventure! We fished, hiked, swam, saw dolphins and learned of the devastation of hurricane Katrina. Note: never run out of bug spray/lotion on a coastal island.
Our summer concerts this year included Boyz to Men, John Mayer and Sheryl Crow. We took a trip to the Nashville Zoo, went to a Joyce Meyer conference (with Hillsongs United!!!) and enjoyed many a peaceful stroll around the lake at my apartment.
I also played alot of disk golf, regular golf and barbequed!!!
In September, I visited my insurance agent and we were talking about some of my future interests and life visions. The young lady said, “You need to meet Bruce from Renown” (http://www.renownhuntsville.com). A week later, I get a call from this guy. He’s starting a young adult ministry to reach those disenfranchised by Christian’s or those not interested in church, a spiritual venue for faith and culture.
After hearing about my background and passions, we became fast friends; I was brought onto the leadership staff and will become the Communications Director in April. This dream opportunity is incredible! It’s very similar to RockWater, only multiple churches, businesses and individuals fund the mission already… I’m ecstatic!!!
In the meantime, I’ve been assisting Cynthia Hart to develop, brand and open her new gourmet restaurant/bakery, Shea’s Express. I’ve been doing her marketing, PR, design, catering and assembling the employee training materials. To me, it’s like working to make her dream come to pass while I await mine. http://www.cynsheas.com
I also got to hone in on my acting skills some more. Up until this point, all I had really done was some sketches for our church. When this opportunity came up, it was simply bumping into the director and he asked me if I could act. So I played a super uptight Mormon, one of the scene stealing comedy routines of the production – good fit. The play, “The Church” is about discovering the power to be Christ to others in a very relevant, even urban sort of way… I was one of a few white guys in the play.
And, if that wasn’t enough, I’ve just returned from Indianapolis to be certified as a Motivational Speaker for Monster.com!!! Monster has a subsidiary company called “Make It Count” (http://www.makeitcount.com), designed to empower students in making defining choices towards their college and career goals. I’ll be doing two programs throughout High Schools across the country.
This is a unique opportunity towards my eventual goal to speak in schools and corporations on my own. I’ve learned a ton from the intense training and the exposure is priceless.
I whole-heartedly believe that this year has been a year of EFFORTLESSNESS.
In eastern philosophy, a principle in Tao is “letting go”. Lao Tsu said “to become profound we need to let go of our efforts to be perfect, rich, secure or admired; because such efforts actually limit us. He likened letting go to dying, you give up selfishness and become one with the ten thousand things (everything else). My deeper self already knows that I am at one with everything else. If I don’t resist what is happening I will be at peace and have energy to spare. I benefit me and I benefit you.”
Jesus said, “Unless a man die, yet shall he live.”
The most outstanding lesson I’ve learned this year has been in understanding this essence of an “effortless life”. I call it an “organic process”. Everything in creation itself is capable of growing, developing and reproducing short any great strain or striving. It all comes about effortlessly.
Understanding that God did all that He’s ever going to do, who am I to try and hold the reigns? Who am I to try to “become” anything? Why do I wrestle, strive and fight to accomplish, get noticed or find acclaim?
Like a monkey trap, many of us are guilty of putting our hands into a jar just big enough to squeeze our hands through. We reach, grasping something we believe we need. Only, now we can’t get our hands out of the jar. We stand trapped, relentlessly confined by the greed of our pride, ego or lust.
Yet, if we will only let go, we can be free.
Instead of trying to “become”, we can just “be”. Be all that we already are: peace, love, joy, righteous, kindness, victorious, etc. We already are what God says we are. We can’t lose sight of that?
We are not our past, our mistakes or our shortcomings.
This past year has been a time of letting go of all that I thought was so important. No longer having to prove anything. No longer having to accomplish something. I’ve begun to unlock the power of an unforced, unrehearsed and unplanned life. Yet, the paradox is that I live intentionally, directed and passionate.
My scripture of the year has been Matthew 11:28-30 (The Message) "Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me and you'll recover your life. I'll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with me and work with me—watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won't lay anything heavy or ill fitting on you. Keep company with me and you'll learn to live freely and lightly."
Can I invite you to join me on this journey?
Letting go of that which you’re holding on to; your past, your agenda, your plans and your sense of the “right way to do things”. Trust and allow the gift within you to attract that which you need, dream and require.
Forgive, forget and forge ahead towards that which you were destined.
Let old things pass away, let all things become new.
This New Year, I hope you find that which inspires, as selflessness requires. Find opportunities to lay your life down for others; relationships, businesses, families and marriages.
Start fresh. Start new. Yesterday is gone and today is your tomorrow.
May you find the power of effortless living, organic process and a life of exceeding abundance,
With all the love in my heart,
Angus Nelson
1201 Grande View Blvd. #2511
Huntsville, AL 35824
256.541.0210
To all of our friends, though these are but few, Merry Christmas.
The year has truly been one to remember. Let me trek you through the journeys of the past 365 days:
I graduated from Impact International School of Ministry (http://www.impactministries.com) - after having read five of Dr. Jim Richards’ books, I put my house on the market and headed to Huntsville, AL last year. The school taught me incredible material and powerful tools for quality relationships, effective communication and empowerment counseling.While in school, I met a young lady, Samantha, who introduced me to a new sport, Ultimate Fighting. At first, I thought the sport was brutal and “how can a girl watch this?” I did some research to find out the many strategies, skills and abilities the athletes disciplined. Soon, I was hooked. A number of us would gather at Samantha’s house every week to watch different competitions and of course, the Pay-Per-View match ups.
In addition, Samantha and I were spending time together as a part of the college and career ministry. So neither of us really knows when we started “dating”. We were just really good friends. Most of the time, all we do is laugh - I like that. I can always be myself around her and Samantha the same. She’s brilliant, charming, sweet and kind. A relationship has developed and I’m smitten. I’ll keep you posted…
After school in May, I headed down to Mexico for a week to minister up in the mountains with another Sam, Sam Sims. He and I were able to share a simple message of God’s love to the mountain villagers south of Saltillo, Mexico. We didn’t just talk about it, we hugged, served and counseled, demonstrating our love through action. Many lives were touched and changed, including our own.
Over the summer, Samantha, her daughter Sydney, Sam and Gabby Sims and I all headed down to Horn Island off the coast of Biloxi, Mississippi. We experienced real wilderness camping for three days with no running water, toilets or civilization. It was such a cool adventure! We fished, hiked, swam, saw dolphins and learned of the devastation of hurricane Katrina. Note: never run out of bug spray/lotion on a coastal island.
Our summer concerts this year included Boyz to Men, John Mayer and Sheryl Crow. We took a trip to the Nashville Zoo, went to a Joyce Meyer conference (with Hillsongs United!!!) and enjoyed many a peaceful stroll around the lake at my apartment.
I also played alot of disk golf, regular golf and barbequed!!!
In September, I visited my insurance agent and we were talking about some of my future interests and life visions. The young lady said, “You need to meet Bruce from Renown” (http://www.renownhuntsville.com). A week later, I get a call from this guy. He’s starting a young adult ministry to reach those disenfranchised by Christian’s or those not interested in church, a spiritual venue for faith and culture.
After hearing about my background and passions, we became fast friends; I was brought onto the leadership staff and will become the Communications Director in April. This dream opportunity is incredible! It’s very similar to RockWater, only multiple churches, businesses and individuals fund the mission already… I’m ecstatic!!!In the meantime, I’ve been assisting Cynthia Hart to develop, brand and open her new gourmet restaurant/bakery, Shea’s Express. I’ve been doing her marketing, PR, design, catering and assembling the employee training materials. To me, it’s like working to make her dream come to pass while I await mine. http://www.cynsheas.com
I also got to hone in on my acting skills some more. Up until this point, all I had really done was some sketches for our church. When this opportunity came up, it was simply bumping into the director and he asked me if I could act. So I played a super uptight Mormon, one of the scene stealing comedy routines of the production – good fit. The play, “The Church” is about discovering the power to be Christ to others in a very relevant, even urban sort of way… I was one of a few white guys in the play.
And, if that wasn’t enough, I’ve just returned from Indianapolis to be certified as a Motivational Speaker for Monster.com!!! Monster has a subsidiary company called “Make It Count” (http://www.makeitcount.com), designed to empower students in making defining choices towards their college and career goals. I’ll be doing two programs throughout High Schools across the country.This is a unique opportunity towards my eventual goal to speak in schools and corporations on my own. I’ve learned a ton from the intense training and the exposure is priceless.
I whole-heartedly believe that this year has been a year of EFFORTLESSNESS.
In eastern philosophy, a principle in Tao is “letting go”. Lao Tsu said “to become profound we need to let go of our efforts to be perfect, rich, secure or admired; because such efforts actually limit us. He likened letting go to dying, you give up selfishness and become one with the ten thousand things (everything else). My deeper self already knows that I am at one with everything else. If I don’t resist what is happening I will be at peace and have energy to spare. I benefit me and I benefit you.”Jesus said, “Unless a man die, yet shall he live.”
The most outstanding lesson I’ve learned this year has been in understanding this essence of an “effortless life”. I call it an “organic process”. Everything in creation itself is capable of growing, developing and reproducing short any great strain or striving. It all comes about effortlessly.
Understanding that God did all that He’s ever going to do, who am I to try and hold the reigns? Who am I to try to “become” anything? Why do I wrestle, strive and fight to accomplish, get noticed or find acclaim?
Like a monkey trap, many of us are guilty of putting our hands into a jar just big enough to squeeze our hands through. We reach, grasping something we believe we need. Only, now we can’t get our hands out of the jar. We stand trapped, relentlessly confined by the greed of our pride, ego or lust.Yet, if we will only let go, we can be free.
Instead of trying to “become”, we can just “be”. Be all that we already are: peace, love, joy, righteous, kindness, victorious, etc. We already are what God says we are. We can’t lose sight of that?
We are not our past, our mistakes or our shortcomings.
This past year has been a time of letting go of all that I thought was so important. No longer having to prove anything. No longer having to accomplish something. I’ve begun to unlock the power of an unforced, unrehearsed and unplanned life. Yet, the paradox is that I live intentionally, directed and passionate.
My scripture of the year has been Matthew 11:28-30 (The Message) "Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me and you'll recover your life. I'll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with me and work with me—watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won't lay anything heavy or ill fitting on you. Keep company with me and you'll learn to live freely and lightly."
Can I invite you to join me on this journey?
Letting go of that which you’re holding on to; your past, your agenda, your plans and your sense of the “right way to do things”. Trust and allow the gift within you to attract that which you need, dream and require.
Forgive, forget and forge ahead towards that which you were destined.
Let old things pass away, let all things become new.
This New Year, I hope you find that which inspires, as selflessness requires. Find opportunities to lay your life down for others; relationships, businesses, families and marriages.
Start fresh. Start new. Yesterday is gone and today is your tomorrow.
May you find the power of effortless living, organic process and a life of exceeding abundance,With all the love in my heart,
Angus Nelson
1201 Grande View Blvd. #2511
Huntsville, AL 35824
256.541.0210
To all of our friends, though these are but few, Merry Christmas.
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