Angus Nelson

We’ve reached the time of year when we reflect, evaluating our life and connecting to that which we’regrateful.  If for nothing else, that we have breath in our lungs and a community of people that cherish our existence; our friendship and love.

This past year has been an amazing testament to our group at Renown.  As a community, we were able to send a team to Haiti, do construction every month at Lincoln Village, go down to Pearlington, MS and rebuild homes, and participate in mentoring and reading to school children on a weekly basis at Lincoln School.

As if that wasn’t enough, lives within our community have been powerfully altered by the guy whose name we want to see renown, Jesus Christ.  He’s been touching your life and those around you, even when you didn’t see it.

No matter what your situation or circumstance right now, the Creator is in the midst proving and preparing not only His faithfulness, but also of His grace empowering you to conquer more than you thought yourself able.

Stories trickle in of how Renown has played such an intricate role in people’s lives.  Perhaps a message, a nugget or a thought has rocked them.  Or probably more likely, people finally found a gathering where others are real, allowing and accepting everyone with love, value and dignity – right where they’re at.

From the bottom of my heart, I want to say “thank you” for your commitment to honesty, vulnerability and transparency.  It is that kind of humility that reflects our nature.

“humility comes before honor”

“God gives grace to the humble”

What a privilege to be a part of a community where this is exemplified!

I am so proud of you for your contributions to this philosophy, this way of life.  You are setting the foundations to your lives, relationships and employment with immeasurable capacities of favor, servanthood, influence, wisdom and leadership.  You may not see it right now, but your life is the fragrance of something truly beautiful.  God bless you for your passionate pursuit of His Kingdom.

May you have a fantastic Thanksgiving Holiday weekend…      and roll Tide roll!

Angus Nelson,  Huntsville Director

PS.  If you have a story to tell, a testimonial to your life and the Renown community this year, I want to invite you to write it down, type it out and let us know.  You’ll be encouraged by putting yourself in remembrance… and so will we.

When I left Renown last night, I felt something unique, something different.  I don’t know if you picked up on it, but I think we’re connecting to something truly bigger than us.  Something really…  well, for lack of better terms, special.  I hope you’re realizing that you are a part of this thing.  WE.  US.  TOGETHER…

My college friend, Darren Tyler, shared with us last night a compelling vision of how his group in Nashville, The Conduit, is making a difference.  This week, their small bunch of 20 and 30 somethings have eclipsed $52,000 in giving for social justice.  Like us, they have a heart for Haiti and their local community…  and they’re doing something about it – being a “CONDUIT”.

Darren explained an observation he had made during a family vacation, farmers moving the resources of water from one part of the country, where there was plenty, to other areas where there was lack.  These farmers used small pvc pipes to bring life, sustenance and possibility to an otherwise unfruitful area.  It’s not that this area isn’t capable of good things, it’s only limited by a lack of resources.

What if Renown could supply efforts we believe in with the resources to make a significant difference?

Whether here in Huntsville at Lincoln Village or in Haiti where $15 will feed and educate a child for a month, WE AS A COMMUNITY can bring change to the world.  Can you make decisions and re-prioritize your life to help those that cannot help themselves.

What if we took on this mantra:  ”LIVE SIMPLY THAT OTHERS MAY SIMPLY LIVE.”

You can give through Renown in one of three ways: 1.  Place a check in the African drum at a Renown Experience.  2.  Give online through the link on left hand side of our website.  3.  Issue a check from your account directly to Renown at PO Box 923, Huntsville, AL  35804.

In the memo, simply write where you want your resources to go, Lincoln Village, Pearlington, MS, or Haiti and we’ll put EVERY PENNY to the MISSION, NONE of which will be spent on Renown.

Let’s make a difference and be the CHANGE AGENTS the world so desperately needs.

This week, the second longest running film series will release its newest entry, Quantum of Solace. The James Bond series will reach number 22 with Daniel Craig as Agent 007, possibly my new favorite of the five actors to make the portrayal.

This movie is actually a story about revenge, much different from the romance of other story lines. However, there will be more countries represented and even more action and adventure.

What inspired this month’s series for our conversations is the fact that every one of us have a mission to accomplish. And in the spirit of the older 007 flicks, there were always tools and gadgets invented and provided by agent “Q” to assist our hero in his conquering of adversity.

In this same fashion, each and every one of us have our own “Q” that has equipped us to assist in our adversities. The “Q” in you is your

source, a creative and ingenius power that can help you, if you use the tools you’ve been given… let me say that again, IF YOU USE THE TOOLS YOU’VE BEEN GIVEN.

If addition, we have the opportunity to invest OURSELVES into doing what it takes to make a difference in the world around us. What you do with what you have determines the level of fulfillment, contentment and accomplishment you have in this life.

This past week, we talked about TIME.  Most of us beat ourselves up about all the time we waste or all of the good things we think we should be doing but never get around to.

What if our real challenge is not the things we “don’t do”, but rather connecting to the fact that there are things we ALREADY DO everyday that are making a difference?