Experiencing Peace, Unity, Community, Love, Hope & Everlasting Life Through Giving

Recently I visited Hephatha Lutheran Church for a Wednesday, Lent service and dinner.  I was exhausted let me tell you and committed.  During the service, we were invited to the front for prayer and pastor asked me to read a long time prayer from my childhood.  She recently emailed me, thanking me for coming and reading what she had placed in my hands.

The following is my responds to her email and the prayer.

What's interest me the most about last night, is that I absolutely love that pray. " Where there is doubt faith, disparity hope, darkness light, sadness Joy".

My favorite part is," O father, grant that I may not so seek so much to be consoled as to console.  To be understood as to understand.  To be loved as to love".  

You know pastor, sometimes I feel as if I have it all, the world in my hands. " For it is in Giving that we Receive, Forgive and be Forgiven".  

As you so cleverly once said, lets practice for eternity, here, WITH EACH OTHER on earth.

Thanks for the opportunity to give.

LORD MAKE ME AN INSTRUMENT OF YOUR PEACE.  

WHERE THERE IS HATRED, LET ME SO LOVE. 

WHERE THERE IS INJURY, PARDON,

WHERE THERE IS DOUBT, FAITH. 

WHERE THERE IS DISPARITY, HOPE.

WHERE THERE IS DARKNESS, LIGHT.

AND WHERE THERE IS SADNESS JOY.

OH DIVINE MASTER, 

GRANT THAT I MAY NO SO MUCH WANT TO BE CONSOLED AS TO CONSOLE.

TO BE UNDERSTOOD AS TO UNDERSTAND.

TO BE LOVED AS TO LOVE..

FOR IT IS IN GIVING THAT WE RECEIVE, 

IT IS IN PARDONING THAT WE ARE PARDONED.

AND IT IS TO DIE THAT WE ARE BORN INTO ETERNAL LIFE..

AMEN

PN COED FLAG RUGBY SOCIAL & HAPPY HOLIDAYS

Time: A nonspatial continuum in which events occur in apparently irreversible succession from the past through the present, to the future.

"Time flies when you're having fun" is often quoted by yours truly.  I can honestly say I'm having fun doing what I do; creating opportunity for myself and others.

This past Saturday, December 20th, 2014 PeppNation SLC hosted it's second annual Coed Flag Rugby Social, @Hephatha Lutheran Church Gym, Milwaukee WI.  Student Athletes, ages 7-14, throughout Wisconsin gathered to participate in this fun filled day event.  Rugby, Arts and Crafts (Holiday Cards), Rugby Film Review and PeppTalk {Civil Conversations around respect].  Community were among the many topics our guest engaged conversation.  I'm thankful to all our participants, parents, volunteers and spectators for their attendance.


24 games, 450 + points scored and lots of community was what this day was all about.  Teams of  mixed race and genders, playing with students other then their norm.  Seems so basic and the impact is breath taking to say the least.  I witness, leadership unlike I've ever seen before.  There was much skill level volatility on each team and celebrated their victories and evaluating, and improved upon their shortcomings as one unit, each and every game   There are two definition of Community displayed Saturday; 'A group of people having common interest, which I believe we demonstrated wonderfully, and A group viewed as forming a distinct segment of society'.  For example

The Community of Educated People
The Community of Civil People
The Community of Athletic People
The Community of Positive People
ALL OF THE ABOVE, WE ARE!

We've wrapped up 2014 PNSLC programming in stellar fashion and looking to have an even STRONGER 2015!  Happy Holidays PeppNation! I thank you all for your support and time.  We're in it to win it..  This is our journey, I didn't get here alone and together we will prosper.

One Unit, One Team, PeppNation

TIME TO GET BACK TO IT: FACE THE WORLD

Blogging has always been apart of my world, but for the moment my work and conversations have been face to face, rather than the FACE THE WORLD approach/opportunity I began some 3-4 years ago.  Blogging allows for people from all over the world, friends, family and novice (Future Leaders) alike to experience my life, my world, through my own words/lens.

CULPEPPER'S DREAMS AND GOALS ARE REALITY, has taken a slight turn in it's direction and purpose, and the focus is now more then ever, others.  My current Dreams and Goals are around the success of others, witness young people achieve their own DREAMS AND GOALS through the work and efforts of many, under the guidance of PeppNation, PN Sports Leadership Camps, Academy and PeppNation.org (The Village).  I plan to be partially responsible for 10s of 1,000s of students and student athletes alike who aspire college, go to college and graduate from college; learn trades, do trades and inspire and create trade jobs.  Those 10s of 1,000s once will then be responsible for leading others in the same manner which they were once led, while following the direction of former graduates and current business professionals.  You see, mentoring never ends...  There is always someone whose experience something, you haven't and eventually will; and those following who will experience things you already have.  Imagine if we all helped each other, teach each other and lead one another what this world will look like.

I want to create a global organization, with brand recognition that of McDonnell's and NIKE.  PEPPNATION WILL ONE DAY BE A HOUSE HOLD NAME, mark my words.  Currently we're serving roughly 500 participants here in Milwaukee, WI and the brand has been equally successful in NYC, ATL GA and soon Detroit, MI, Duluth, MN and Santa Rosa, CA.  Who doesn't want leadership and prosperity for their community?  Developing Youth Through Athletics & Extra Curricular Activities.  We must stat and believe that all things are possible, "I am human and nothing human is foreign to me" Maya Angelo.  Hard work pays off and those who work hard get PAID!

We've rapped up our first 13 weeks of Fall/Winter programing this week, and now it's time to begin selling in programing to other interested schools & community based organizations for 1st Quarter 2015.  This quarter concluded with our Flagship Coed Indoor Flag Rugby Cup, Saturday, November 22; learn more @peppnation.org.  Saturday, December 20th, PeppNation will host a Coed Indoor Flag Rugby Social @Hephatha Lutheran Church, 1720 W Locust, Milwaukee, WI; All ARE WELCOME.

My personal goal is serving 20 - 50 schools and CBOs, 2014 - 2015 school year calendar + summer camps; this fall we were @9.  I would like to Gross $100k + in fee for service, $250k + in grants and donations and $100k in sponsorship dollars in 2015.  Contributing to education, athletics, housing and the economic growth in communities we serve, both in person and online.  Long way to go and I'm confident we'll get there.

Happy Holidays to you all and stay tuned; much more exciting work to be done and children/young adults to serve.  If PeppNation can be successful in Milwaukee, WI, we can be successful anywhere in the world.

Rugby Wow

These last couple of weeks have been all Rugby all the time.  After my long hard fight with the USA Rugby committee to play in 7's national championship, I was denied.  :( sad face right, wasn't happy about the judgement, but life goes on so what's next? I continued training that week as if i were playing the following weekend.  Then something unbelievable happened, I was offered the opportunity to train and play in Rugby League Championship in NYC this past weekend.

What better way to grow as a player then to play in Championship game.  Now this style of rugby is much different then what I have been becoming accustomed to.  Much more similar to football, 6 downs b4 turnover and little to no one on one tackling.  Don't get me wrong all my tackles were just me and the ball carrier; I wish I could say the same when I carried the ball tho lol.  Every time our team had possession and it was passed to me, three big boys squared up; I might break on tackle maybe two, but 3 was nearly impossible.  I think with another week of training underneath me, I could make what at the time seemed impossible, possible.

Unfortunately the addition of my skills weren't enough to help my team win the Championship, but the Wildcats played hard and I appreciate the opportunity to play.  While in NYC I also met with Play Rugby USA and I'm looking forward to working with them in the near future ( I = PeppNation).  Much more to come, video post soon.

Video post next week

Next week I will be post a video with my most recent updates and the adventures I've experienced over the past 3months.  I thank God for the many blessings bestowed upon me.  I also figured it would be faster and less stressful on the fingers this way, rather then typing out 3months worth of my journey lol. 

Sunday Oct. 2nd I will be leaving Milwaukee and moving to NYC; learning, teaching and playing Rugby.  I'm beyond excited for the opportunity and looking to grow PeppNation beyond the beliefs of a normal person (if you haven't noticed already, I'm not normal lol).  When did I get to Milwaukee you say?  Lots of great things to share, so tune in next week.

Culpepper's dreams and goals are reality and your's are too. 

DON'T BE NORMAL!

PEPPNATION

The Power of Creative Persuasion

Today is January 20, 2011, and as I sit in my apartment reflecting on my day, I realize that my desire and will to win has taken me places that I, and many others, never imagined I'd be. I believe my drive is a reflection of who I am as a person and others see it too.

When you look at me, you see those qualities emanating from me, like a bright yellow shirt with the words "I Believe" on the chest and "You Should Too" on the back. I believe that when you are passionate about what you do and want, others are persuaded to assist you in accomplishing your goals. And maybe, just maybe, be encouraged to seek and accomplish their own goals.

Anything, I mean anything is possible.-PeppNation

PeppNation: NFL Campaign Goes Social in 2011

It is January 10th, 2011, and Peppnation has been active for 10 days. Can you believe it? I sure can. We've been working very hard to make sure our message(created by my social media team and I) is heard across the world. "It's all football, all Pepp, all the time!"

Many have sent in videos and we are greatly appreciative of that. It's 2011 and we are a mission to do what we want to do-play in the NFL. I used to say "do what you have to do so you can do what you want to do." It was a phrase that I heard Denzel Washington say a couple of years ago. Now, I just say, "do what you want to do."

There's no limit to what is or isn't possible. This is what I hope people who come into contact with my words, video and story take away. I do not want people to know that Brandon Culpepper, or rather "we" are going to play in the NFL (if you are a part of the team then you're a part of the journey), butpthat anything is possible when you put your mind to it. Put your pedal to the metal, and don't look back. I am hoping that my pursuit to accomplishing my dreams will encourage others to do the same.

Example: Ted Williams, the man with the golden voice who was homeless for 2 1/2 years. He became a YouTube sensation overnight and is now a new voice for the Cleveland Cavaliers. You can't tell me that God isn't good, and that miracles don't happen because they do every second of our lives. Are you ready for your miracle? Having fun? Living Life? Doing what you want to do? If not, ask yourself why, and while contemplating this question, go on over to Facebook and join the team! I am certain that the energy over there will put a fire under you to start to prepare for your "miracle, moment of luck or whatever you choose to call it." As they say, Luck is when Preparation meets Opportunity.

Also make sure when you join, tell us about your favorite football news and your hopes and dreams for this year. Let PeppNation know what you would like to get paid to do. You never know who may be reading your post! Sometimes all it takes is for you to speak your miracle to get it working in your life.