3.5 and I’m still fly

I have been going with Wings for about 3 1/2 weeks at the moment, I haven’t been even been able to sign the contract yet!  That is exactly how busy one gets while on the road, but I’m loving the ride, I love the Wings crew, and I cannot wait to see what God does through this opportunity!

Currently jamming to Israel Houghton-Hosanna (the kids chorus at the end is a phenomenal touch)

It’s been an odd transition for me into Wings, normally a very transparent and active personality as the norm, but I have felt myself be more reserved and focused than I perhaps have been in quite awhile.  I desperately want excellence in the performance, and believe that talent only takes you as far as the mic, but your discipline and intent on excellence will leave the stage drained in one’s presence.  Knowing that I came in without having looked at much of the music made me put my game face on, even though it was fairly new music for all of us,  and it was rough at first for me, but I hope I’m transitioning much smoother now.

The team is in Dansville, VA for the week, drummer Nate Fulks and I are staying with the Embry’s.  Their son Pearce is a freshman at Westover Christian Academy, and he is a really nice young dude.  It’s been incredibly adventurous to meet so many families so far, and see their dynamics, parenting styles, relationships, and overall feel of the household.  Our host parents ask that all we do is enjoy ourselves, and make ourselves at home.  Check and mate.

So what’s next?  I gotta say I’m struggling with a few things at the moment, especially in the aspect of faith and trusting in God’s provision at the moment when He wants to provide.  I have spent a lot of time in prayer the last few days that I would not only trust in His sovereignity in provision, but that I would also be able to give over my fears and anxieties as certain struggles arise.  One I am asking for is in prayer in financial support, I did join the tour rather late, and obviously it puts me at a risk for finances.  Wings is a non-profit, meaning each team and staff member raises monthly support to keep them moving forward in the ministry.  Pray that I don’t remain focused on this throughout the day, and that I simply give it to God in expectation that He will provide as He wills.  Any donations are totally okay as well!!!!

I just finished up “Searching for God Knows What” by Donald Miller, an interesting read, one I will probably go back through in the next few weeks to really summarize its thought in my head.  I am beginning “Wild at Heart” by John Eldredge this week, it’s been recommended by many men I’ve met so far on the road, and I have no problem seeking out the wilderness within me.  To fight the battle, live the adventure, and rescue the beauty that God has completely ordained for me.  I also have “Radical” by David Platt on the backburner, I am excited to pursue it’s message in the upcoming months.  Galatians has been my study in the past week, and it began in chapter 5, at a prompt from a John Piper sermon.  What has been so provoking so far is the thought of freedom, and not just freedom from sin, but freedom from myself, and freedom to live for Christ, to freely comprehend, and even grasp Christ.   What a blessing to know God is not just interested in our salvation, but also in our growth!!!

I will post some more thoughts on my study soon, hope all of you are doing well, blessed by our Loving Lord, and living within His image

Much love,

Jason

Galatians 5:1

New Beginnings

Well, it’s day 3 of my journey with Wings, at least officially. In the past few days, it’s just been a whole lot of singing, some paperwork, and a whole lotta praying.

THAT’S RIGHT!

Just praying about the future, seeking God’s wisdom in every step, and praying I remain humble as this year unfolds. It’s going to be such an amazing, and interesting year! I did not expect this, did not plan it, and was actually praying with other hopes in mind. I wanted to be able to finish school this year then join Wings and just roll with them. Apparently, other plans were in play. As the school year approached and financial aid was given, I realized that I simply wouldn’t have enough to finish. So what do I do? I prayed, and I prayed a lot. Not to join Wings, but that God would provide, and that I would trust that He would provide.

My God provided.

In less than a month after realizing I would not be returning, the wheels were turning on moving me to Georgia. Liberty University was applied, transcripts were transferred, and Wings was joined.

I’m blessed with one of the greatest opportunities of my life! I get to tour with an amazing group of young adult Christians who are all seeking one goal, to spread the message of Christ as intimately, relationally, and globally possible.

So what’s the next step? Well, I will be touring with Wings for their 2010-2011 season, taking online courses at Liberty, and in the fall of 2011 I will be taking courses on the campus of Liberty University. Yes it is delaying my degree, but I will have school paid for, and enabled to have one of the most amazing biblical worldview educations available in the world today.

Disclaimer: This plan is always subject to change

I am so grateful that God is giving me this opportunity now, when I was planning for later. The challenge, and opportunity to be a witness by one’s life while also being discipled by the Wings staff is just amazing, church at its finest.

How can you support me?

Prayer

Prayer

Prayer

Please pray for my life, that I keep growing in Christ, keep seeking Him, and keep grounding myself in His truth. Please pray that I am loving of my team, my brothers and sisters, and that I am consistently a Christlike example to the youth I meet with. I want to encourage youth, I want to love youth, and I want to invest in youth. I want their lives to be for Christ, and by my example, they will desire to be more so.

This is my desire, to follow You, Lord will all my heart, I worship you.-That’s my prayer

Another prayer request is to be healthy on the road, to keep up a consistent workout, and to eat well.

My final request is for financial support, Wings is a 100% financially faith based ministry, and I am in need of monthly and one time supporters to tour for the 2010-2011 season. If you would like to donate, and perhaps learn more about the history and purpose of Wings, check out the link below.

www.wingsgo.org/jasonnichols

this will take you right to my page, but there will be links at the top for other sections of the website.

Please pray as you consider supporting me! Your investment will help me reach many who otherwise might simply go on without hearing about Jesus Christ and his gift of eternal life.

Hope ya’ll are doing well, God bless

Jason homeskillet Nichols

Philippians 4:6-7

Growth

God is impressing something upon me every single day here, and I wish I could list each individual thing, alas…I can only sit in front of a computer for so long!

It has been an interesting month, and it has brought a much needed boost of encouragement.  Wings came into town for two weeks, and God blessed me with their presence. Wings is such an amazing organization, that truly seeks to glorify God, and I am grateful that God is opening the doors to enable me to work with them in the Spring of 2010

The youth this month were more intense, but I was less bothered, there is not much I am able to do except to be consistent and real with them.  Pray as I try to develop relationships with them,  I do not like just seeing them once or twice a week, so I am trying to start up a few things that will let the ministry at Pennyroyal be involved with them on a more consistent basis.  I am encouraged that they are recognizing me, and just saying hi, and some of them are even discussing their lives with me, and wanting feedback.

I wrote this a few days ago, just so I could remember it when I blogged again

“Bite marks

Cuss words

Headaches

Long hours

Smiles

Bombastic noise

Is it worth it?

Tonight, one of my kids called me, because he knew I would at least hear him out. We ended up talking for about fifteen minutes, and hopefully tomorrow he makes the wise decision.

At Wal-Mart, while I was filling up my tank, I spotted another one of my kids, and he walked over to say hi. He said whatsup, told me he was in love with his girlfriend, and he knows its real. I heard what he was saying, and I started to question him on love, but then I realized something…. he came over to talk to me…because he knows I care.

Tonight it was a quiet realization, but a profound one.

It takes time to turn a ship around, and these kids are giant ships, with very small rudders. They don’t particularly care for our correction, and it’s rather frustrating. Are any of the rest of us truly different though? None of us enjoy correction, it involves accepting the reality of necessary growth, maturity, and work, but to those who have matured….what a joy it is to have that extra ounce of perseverance.

I have in no way figured it out, and I hope I don’t, because there is joy in growth.” (written Wednesday June 9th 2010)

In two weeks I leave for Nicaragua for a week-long missions trip, July 7-14th, I will arrive in Georgia on the 2nd so I can practice the music with the team, and then we hit the road! I am still in need of support, I am financing most of it on my own, but I could use some help if anyone is willing and able.

Life is good here in Ohio, challenging, fast paced, and always fighting against the flesh, God is merciful however, and gives me no more than I can bear….and he is providing plenty of opportunities to flee.

Hope everyone is blessed, this was more update than thought, but enjoy it anyways

Love in Christ,

Jason

Two weeks…and it’s almost June

Two weeks, here’s the skinny;

I’m busy, everyday, but not busy enough to take a minute and update.  I’ve seen a lot of people act busy, and list off what they have going on, and many of them do have jam packed days, but what good comes from discussing/complaining of how busy you are? 5 minutes of complaining leads to a lifetime of negativity.

Philippians 2:14-15

So what has God been doing in my life in Ohio?  He has been stretching me, much like working out, tearing apart my spiritual fiber, and building it up with His strength.  It is a different perspective here in Franklin, some of it cultural, and it has led me to really feel inadequate.  The youth here are definitely of a different mind-set, and I’m just beginning to realize in how I relate to them.  This was, and remains a tough lesson.

How to relate to youth, who seem as if they don’t understand the hard work, and even stronger faith it takes to produce life transformation in our Lord Christ Jesus.

The first lesson I have learned is of humility, the one thing I have asked and requested to be prayed for multiple times.  To care more about the history, wants, needs, and ideas of my youth than about my expectations.  These kids have a lot of low expectations, and to just throw a high bar at them, when they’ve been sitting on the ground….well that’s kinda ridiculous.

I’ve learned I can throw as much encouraging scripture I want at these kids, but unless I am willing, able, and knowing of how to apply it to my own life, my words mean nothing.  When I turn the mantle of expectation to God, and ask him to give me the strength to apply…then Gods word are not only heard, but EXAMPLED in my life.

James 1:22-25 speaks explicitly in regards to this.  It is something I have realized, and have been reminded of…and I am grateful for an Everlasting God whose mercies are renewed each morning, so that I might be strengthened each day by His word.

Right now, I am headed to the youth hangout (the Annex), it is a small skate park, with video games, and loud music, we hang there twice a week.  I’m learning to skateboard!!!

Pray for continued growth, perseverance, humility, and joy.

Much love in Christ,

Jason

Philippians 4:6-7

Summer 2010

Well, here we go.

Titus 2:6-8

Likewise, exhort young men to be sober-minded, in all things showing yourself to be a pattern of good works; in doctrine showing integrity, reverence, incorruptibility, sound speech that cannot be condemned, that one who is an opponent may be ashamed, having nothing evil to say of you.

This is a challenging verse to myself as I read it, and think about the words that set a standard for what God expects of young men today.  I am expected, as a child of God to live in such a way that I exemplify those words above.  I am expected to encourage the kids I work with to live in these ways as well….and there is no way I can do that without that grace of God showering over me.

Pray that I grow deeper in the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ that I might know Him, and pattern myself after Him. (2 Peter 3:18)

I begin my summer internship tomorrow with Pennyroyal Baptist Church, and I am certain I will fail, but I am also confident that God will mature me, and give me the strength and faith to discipline myself to follow after him when I do crash and burn.

Blessings be to God our Father and his Son our Lord Jesus Christ for giving me this opportunity!!!

Here we go

Jason

Philippians 4:6-7