Who is Jesus?

And we're off!

The first week of camp has come and gone! Great to see all the activities going on. Lunch, artistic pieces being created, discovering new worlds and adventures, learning, playing, smiles everywhere, little ones being lvoed on. Thursday was water mountain fun time in the green area at the center. One of the side objectives was to wear out the children, so they would be quiet the rest of the evening! Guess what, that didn't work! Great times, adventures continue next week.

Tuesday evening, the men gathered for Bible fellowship. Joey shared the Word from Luke 7. John the Baptist sent some of his men to see if Jesus was the Messiah? Instead of Jesus telling the men who he was, Jesus says watch. Jesus could have shared who He was but He was a man of action. Are we? Do we talk the talk or do we walk the walk?

Wednesday morning, we had the youth from Grace Community come and help out around the center. Our chairs and tables are all nice and clean as well as the dining hall. Lots of hard work, thanks for coming by.

Thursday was a busy afternoon and evening. Our new education building had a ribbon cutting ceremony. Our friends from the Shreveport Chamber of Commerce, Bossier Parish Community College, Willis Knighton, all came to be a part of a new adventure we are about to enter. BPCC will be hosting adult education classes at the building. A long time dream of many coming into reality! Praise God! Ms Abbie and the community choir led our singing and praising in chapel, as a new pastor shared the Word. Our friends from Elizabeth Baptist church showed up in full force helping us in all the areas at the center. A busy, blessed evening.

A question was asked Tuesday evening, How do you answer the question, are you a Christian? Yes, I go to church. I go to Sunday School. I sing in the choir. I am in a small group. I work in the Market. I help in the dining hall. All good ministries, but does that make you a Christian? How does that look to someone else who is not a Christian? Are we boasting? Are we bragging?

John the Baptist's men asked Jesus, Are you the one who is to come, or should we expect someone else? Jesus could have shared in Words who He was, but He did not. He chose to cure those who had diseases, sicknesses and evil spirits, and gave sight to many who were blind. The messengers got to see first hand the miracles. Don't you think that made a huge impact on them?! We can hear about storm damage, but until we see it for ourselves, it does not have the same impact on our lives.

We have that opportunity everyday of our lives in our community. We need to be able to share who Jesus is and what He has done in our lives, but we also need to be able to share the miracles He is doing in our lives. We need to be able to go out and serve a meal to those living outside the walls. We need to make a place for God's children to come experience His lvoe for them. We need to lvoe on those who may not lvoe us back. We need to provide a place for young boys to learn to be young men of God. It is happening in our community everyday. God's Kingdom needs us all to be the hands and feet of Christ. Amen.

Wherever you go!

Good morning to all! It has been a couple of weeks since our last note. We have been spending time with our grandchildren, so all our energy has been on them. I will admit I have become proficient in the Mickey Mouse Clubhouse, P J Masks of the world, Alvin and the Chipmunks and many others! Glad to be back among our brothers and sisters in Christ!

Shawn, Joey and others visited our friends living outside. They all seem to be doing well. Not much drama last week. An update on Smokey. We visited him Tuesday, finding him sitting in his wheelchair wearing his coveralls! He is going to rehab two or three times a day. He is still having problems with his wound, which the doctors have changed their approach to it, so we are hoping it will heal sooner. With the help of Joey, he has applied for new housing and hopefully will hear back soon on that. His Medicaid has started, allowing him to stay where he is. William needs our prayers. Prayers for William to make the right choices for his life.

We now have a huge 20 something seat van for our use! It is parked in our parking lot for the moment ready for our first trip!

Tuesday evening the men gathered for their Bible fellowship. Brother Rickie led the discussions from Joshua. When God promises something,  it will happen. It may not be when we want it to happen, but it will happen when God is ready for it to happen.

Thursday evening was full of exciting prayers, songs, groceries, clothing and food! We had lots of help from the youth from Broadmoor Baptist. A blessed evening.

Next Thursday, the group Stomp from Broadmoor Baptist will be performing at our meal at 5:30. They came several years ago and it was amazing. You don't want to miss it this time!

The basketball teams are about to start playing in a new league this summer. As soon as we get their schedules, we will let you all know. Most of the games will be at First Baptist in Shreveport. The team is working hard improving their new building, working around the campus, earning points so they can take trips during the summer months. Call Matt or Vicki if you need help from the boys.

Sunday, the new summer camp team will be preparing for summer camp. Prayers for them all as they begin a new adventure. Lots of new faces will be joining us this summer. Can't wait to see what God will do in the building of relationships?!

God is encouraging Joshua to leave where they are and go into a new land. God is reminding Joshua, I will never leave you nor forsake you. In verse 9, God says to Joshua, "Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go."

Where are you going? Where is Common Ground going? We can get comfortable at times doing the same thing over and over, there is not much faith involved in that. To venture into un chartered waters is scary and uneasy to us. God was asking Joshua to prepare his people to move into a new land, to have faith. God reminding Joshua He would be with them.

God is asking the same of us. Where is your heart leading you? Where is God leading Common Ground? We maybe asked to move into a new land, to do something different, to take a risk, to change our surroundings, will we do it? Or find a reason not to? It is easy to continue to do what we have been doing, it may not be easy to move into a new land? But I want us to remember, to be strong and courageous, don't be afraid, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go! No better safety net can be found anywhere! Amen!

Hope you all have a blessed week. God is good!

Friends

It can't be Friday already! Where does our time go? Hopefully your time was blessed spending time with God!

Visiting our friends Saturday morning is always a treat. It is a reminder to me, how blessed we are to have each other. We had not see Robert in several weeks, but he came out of his apartment. He is struggling with multiple health problems but continues to bless us with his prayers. We have two ladies who have moved inside. Michelle blessed us by sharing some of her story with us. Oglivie camp was feeling no pain that morning. One of the guys came over to me and said, sorry mr brian for being this way. Life is hard. Some resort to means to make life tolerable. We continue to pray for them and allow the Spirit of the Living God to take control of their lives. Smokey has moved. They have transferred him to a rehab facility on Irving Place, Highland Place. He is in room 104. He has a direct phone number 318 841-8752. His other leg is beginning to swell, which is concerning.

Tuesday evening, Brother George led the men's fellowship as we read from  Romans 14.

Thursday evening was busy. St Luke's Medical van joined us for the evening. Brother George and a Methodist pastor from England led chapel. Z and Ms Abbie had prepared a feast, The Market and clothing room was full of activity. Z found eggs from the Food Bank, so the Market was trying to give away eggs and not breaking them in the process! We had two big groups helping us all out, a blessed evening.

This Sunday, we will have our first Mitzvay Day! Friends from a local Jewish temple will be at the center helping out. Come and join in on the fun, Sunday 10 -12.

Several weeks ago, Ms Sarah shared a story in chapel. In Luke 5 verse 17 - 26, is the story about the paralyzed man and his friends trying to see Jesus. You remember the story, the friends couldn't get close to Jesus, so they went on the roof and lowered their friend through the ceiling. Jesus was so impressed with the friends, He forgave their sins, as well as healing the paralyzed man. A nice story. Sarah visiting her Aunt in the hospital, said her Aunt was troubled by the story, made her sad?

Sarah, asked why does this story make you sad? Her Aunt said, this paralyzed man had 4 friends who went out of their way to help their friend. I don't have any friends who would do that for me? Sarah says to the community in chapel, Common Ground is your group of friends!

Life is hard, especially when you are living a life in poverty. You don't seem to get any breaks. God has created a community where our community can catch some breaks from life when needed through all of you. It maybe showing up on a Saturday morning under a bridge, listening, smiling. Helping to feed the little ones at our meal on Thursdays. Preparing a meal. Helping through reading a book to a child. Helping shop for groceries the community wants.

Common Ground is a community made of friends who will lower through the roof a friend to see Jesus. Common Ground is a community is more concerned about others than themselves. Common Ground is about lvoe not love. Common Ground is you allowing Jesus to work in and through you to build His Kingdom! Amen!

Have a great week. God is busy, join in on the fun!

Hearts

It's been a couple of weeks since we last emailed?! I was not feeling well last week and just couldn't get anything going to share with you. Feeling better this week, so watch out!

Lots happening in our community. Isn't that a sign of God being busy? We celebrated Tuesday week of Giving for Good. A local foundation asking for the community to support the non profits of the Shreveport Bossier area. Thanks to a lot of hard work, Bryce and Lisa led the way as we achieved our goal of $20000 to fund summer camp and then some! Common Ground had the fourth largest contributions of all the non profits! Thank you God. 

Our camps continue to decline as Joey and Jerry have moved inside. Moving inside is great, now we just need furniture?! Smokey continues his recovery at the VA. Last week was his birthday. So Smokey being Smokey, bought ice cream and cookies and distributed it all out to the patients and nurses on the 8th floor! He would appreciate a quick visit from you all if you have a chance, 8th floor, room 24.

The men of the community met Tuesday evening to talk about Luke 19, Zacchaeus, the tax collector. Through the actions of Zacchaeus, his house was blessed, is ours?

Lisa and the Board met Wednesday evening to discuss upcoming events.

With the threat of rain Thursday evening, our numbers were small. But that didn't stop us from having a spirit led worship in chapel. Then we all enjoyed our meal and made our way to the Market and clothing room. The highlight of the evening for me, was the appearance of one of our long time family members, Dr Phil. He was on his way to the east coast to help one of his sons move, so he stopped by to say Hi! He is about to graduate and then see what God has in store for him in the next chapter of his journey.

Day of Caring is happening today. We will have folks at the center today helping out. We would love to see you there, come if you can.

Sunday is Mom's Day! Happy Mother's Day to all our moms out there. You are special to us and our community. Thank you for all you do with little or no recognition for your labors of lvoe!

Zacchaeus was a wealthy man, being a head tax collector. You would think, he did want for much if anything? But when he heard Jesus was coming, he climbed a tree to get a view of Jesus. Jesus was so impressed by his actions, Jesus told Zacchaeus, "Today salvation has come to this house"  .  .  .

Two thoughts came to mind while we were talking about this story. When Jesus sees Zacchaeus in the tree, Jesus tells Zacchaeus to come down immediately. He did and then Zacchaeus says to Jesus, Look Lord! Here and now I give half of my possessions to the poor, and if I have cheated anybody out of anything, I will pay back four times the amount. I doesn't take long for a heart to change when they find Jesus! Our jobs as we move along our paths, is to lead others to Jesus. It is not our jobs to change their hearts, we can't. Real change in the community will come when hearts are changed.

Zacchaeus, showed his faith by climbing up a tree to see Jesus. Jesus sees our actions, hears our voices, listens to our prayers. If we are sincere, if our actions are of God, not ourselves, if our voices are for others, if our prayers are for our brothers and sisters, then Jesus will bless us. Jesus wants to bless us, it's up to us!  Amen!

Hope we get to see you today or next week around the center. Have a blessed week, God is good!

Relationships

Is God good or what!? Not sure where you are all in your life's journeys, but rest assured God is with you!

Friday evening, the Board of Common Ground and friends shared a meal and their hearts on what makes Common Ground special. Then Sarah led us on a journey through time as we shared some of the beginnings of Common Ground and traveled along the river of life to the present. Amazing to see all the people who have been a part of this adventure. Saturday morning the Board continued their journey as they talked about where God is leading us. Exciting times ahead!

Saturday morning, as Scott and Shawn went around visiting our friends living outside, they introduced their new visitor to them, mr brian! It was great to see our friends. Over these past few years, we have learned so much from our friends. Saturday was another blessing! Z who blesses us with meals to take to the guys, gave us some frozen cuts of meat she had left over. As our friends went through the meats, you would have thought we had brought them a million dollars! Turner had to go through every item, to pick out just the right cut for him. One camp, could not wait to get their fire going, and then they said, we are going to invite others to come and share our food! Isn't that amazing! Someone who has nothing, wanting to share with others their blessing! Wow, we were overwhelmed with the generosity of our friends! Smokey is still at the VA recovering.

Hate to say, but this was our last week with our children in the afternoons. Testing starts next week for the kids, so we said goodbye for this year. What a treat it has been to get to know each one of our children. Relationships that were formed will last a life time. Prayers for Allison and her family with the passing of her mother. 

Tuesday evening the men of the community gathered for food and fellowship. Brother Rickie sharing the Word from Deuteronomy 11. Verse 13 says, "If you faithfully obey the commands I am giving you today-to love the Lord your God and to serve him with all your heart and with all your soul- then I will send rain on your land in its season . . " God wants to bless us, He wants the best for us, we just have to be faithful!

Thursday evening was magical. Not sure what was in the water, but chapel was special. Brother George got us started with praises from the community, Ms Abbie led us in song, Brother Chester shared the Word, the community was praising like no other time I had heard! We had lots of help with our meal and The Market. It was a blessed night. To top it off, we took Joey and Jerry to their new apartment! They had a chair and a couch but to listen to them you would think they had just moved into a castle! As we drove them to their new place, the excitement in their voices, oh look there is Dairy Queen! a book store! the bank! a hospital across the street! New surroundings, new beginnings, hopefully a new start!

I told Sarah, I did not sleep much Friday night, thinking of all the names I left off her river of life display. Common Ground is not about programs, not about things, not about projects, it is about people, relationships. Sarah had asked the group to break down the time line into people, events, ministries. She had colors for each category. As we completed our time line, she asked what color was the most dominant on the board? By far, the color which represented people, was the most prevalent. Our journey started in 1995, not many of us around now, but it was humbling to see the names of everybody who has been a part of our community.

One of the names I had not remembered Friday night, one I had left off, walked into the center Tuesday afternoon. They had not been to the building in eleven years! They were leaving St Vincent mall, normally taking another route to get on I 49, decided for some reason to get on the 70th st entrance. As they past by the building, they saw cars along the street, they stopped. As I was walking down the hallway on my way to see Smokey, a figure walked through the doors. I said Hi, how are you doing and kept walking. Then this person turned and said, Brian! I looked again, and it was Anna Jackson! 

Ms Anna was the first lady of Faith United Methodist church. She always had a heart for our community, always a huge supporter of our ministry, was always there for us. Every Sunday morning, during announcement times at church, she would tell the congregation what was going on with Kitchen Angels, or tutoring, asking for the congregation to get involved. I remember one of our young girls who came for tutoring, always showed up in dirty or mismatched clothes. Ms Anna would take her into the clothing room or always had clothes for her to wear. Ms Anna always had a smile for everyone! I asked her if she had a few minutes to show her around her building. She said she had 15 minutes or so.

So we walked and talked. She remembers the old, dark walls in the dining hall, now bright and inviting. The dark paneling in the kitchen. She was amazed to see the expanded, cheerful kitchen we now have. The church parlor is now a place where children can learn. The pastor's office is where the library is, allowing the children to create all sorts of adventures. She  was excited to see The Market, to hear about where it is a place where our community can shop, not a place where forms are filled out and a bag given to them. An hour later, we sit in the new, colorful chapel talking about the last eleven years!

Common Ground is about people, about relationships, about Jesus. The relationships we are making today will last a life time. The last eleven years for Ms Anna has been hard, but Jesus has brought her though it. Jesus has brought us this far, He will not leave us if we do not leave him. How exciting it is to be a part of something so special, unique and full of life! Amen!

Have a great week. Enjoy all Jesus has for you! God is good!

What's up?!

Another week in the books! Almost the end of April, 4 months gone in this new year, wow! God is busy!

Easter Sunday, Momma T, Ms Abbie and Joey continued our tradition of sharing God's lvoe with our neighbors in the form of eggs, hiding them throughout the neighborhood. Always a good time and a blessing to all!

Saturday we continued our visits to our friends living outside. Some have moved inside, others are waiting for that to occur, but we still visit them. Even though they are inside, most friends have no income, so the food we bring is a necessity. Scott continues his vigil every Saturday by making sure our friends are lvoed on for a few moments. Smokey had his foot surgery, Thursday morning, seems to be doing fine. Prayers for a speedy recovery.

We only got to visit with our children in the afternoon on Wednesday of this week, Monday was a holiday. Not sure but, I think the noise level was a little higher Wednesday with all the excitement of the children as they learned, played and ate! Great to have them with us. Prayers for Alison and her mom. Her mom is not doing well at the moment.

Tuesday evening, the men of the community gathered for some good food and good fellowship. We read from Deuteronomy Chapter 11. We read 13 verses but didn't get very far as we talked about lvoing the Lord your God! Smokey said, he had a surprise visit from Noel Wednesday afternoon. Noel continues to heal from his neck surgery. Willie Jackson came by to see Smokey. Prayers for Willie as he continues his dialysis treatments.

Coach Chuck, Matt and Vicki continue their unbelievable schedules of games, tutoring, and practices. As Chuck said, if we don't keep the boys busy they will fall back into their old ways.

Thursday evening was different. One of our basketball boys had a seizure outside. He had not taken his medication. Then later on, we had an incident with a couple of neighbors reminding us, even though God has created a safe place, Satan is still busy trying to disrupt the atmosphere. Z and Ms Abbie created a feast of meats for our meal, The Market and clothing room was busy all night long. Ordered was restored and the night went along, ending on a high note, with a first time visitor coming up to us saying, thank you for all you do.

Prayers for the Board as they come together to discern God's direction for Common Ground Friday night and Saturday morning.

Love and Obey the Lord, is the heading of Chapter 11 in Deuteronomy. If you love them, don't you want to obey them? God lvoes us, He had done so much for us, we should gladly, willingly want to keep his requirements, his decrees, his laws and his commands.

Looking back on where we have come from as followers of Jesus with our community, what a ride it has been! Meeting new people, learning from our neighbors, trying to understand the pressures of living in poverty, seeing our children grow up to young adults. Seeing our young girls becoming new moms, our boys learning about the trials of life. The lack of education, health and money issues, poor job opportunities, inadequate housing choices, addictions of all kinds, just some of life we have experienced over these past few years.

Common Ground has been a part of all of these challenges. From a group of followers sitting around a table, wondering what God wanted us to do. Some of us stepping out of our comfort zones to go visit people living outside. Others wanting to help the children. Some wanting to feed. A few wanting to care for their health. At times we were chastised for feeding the poor, being asked to leave the church, being homeless but not alone. People of authority saying we were never going to make it, not raining for two years on Wednesdays, funding coming when there was none.

Verse 7, the people were reminded, "But it was your own eyes that saw all these great things the Lord has done." And here we are! A place where God has created, where young and old, rich and poor, black and white can come together and be in community. A place where the people of God can come and live out what they are reading in the Bible. A place where you can find lvoe not love. A place where you can get a hug and not expect anything in return. A place where judging is left to God.

God had done this, not us. Yes it has been our hands and feet, our sweat, our passion, but it is not ours but God working in and through us.

It has been an amazing ride. One I have been proud to be a part of. And now I am looking forward to what God has in store for us in the future. He continues to bring people of God into our mist, creating something unique and special, creating a Kingdom where He will say, I am well pleased! Amen!

He is risen!

Good Friday! Never liked this Friday to be called Good, when Jesus suffers so on this day, but it is what He had to do, so we could have life with him. Thank you Lord for loving us, so much! Indeed a Good Friday!

I will have to change my updates for awhile because, we are spending time with our grand children on the weekends, so I am not around as much, as Scott and Shawn will a test to! Jerry and Joey seem to be moving in the right direction to getting an apartment. Still waiting for a phone call to load up the truck! Smokey's leg began to swell again, so they operated on him. He was doing ok Tuesday. His toes are not the color they should be so more conversation about removal of them is continuing. Smokey would like to move to the VA hospital as soon as he can. He feels more at home there.

Monday and Wednesday afternoon we met with our school children. Wednesday, they colored Easter eggs and made crosses. You can see the crosses on the table in the Market waiting room. They are beautiful.

Tuesday evening, the men of the community met to talk about God and listen to Brother Rickie share the Word, reading from Joshua 24. Rickie, for the last several weeks has been asking for prayers for an upcoming surgery to repair his back from his car accident. He went in for x rays to see the damage. To the amazement of the medical staff, the damage was gone! Rickie was praising God for his miraculous healing! Carl was back with us after recovering from his injury.

Thursday evening was full of adventure and excitement. We had some new friends spend the morning with us decorating the tables in the dining hall. Later on, they came back and helped hide our Easter eggs on the grounds. Ms Abbie got the evening started leading us in song. Then our local pastor shared a few Words of encouragement leading us into our meal and The Market. We had lots of help serving, cleaning up and shopping. The children were released at 6 pm and a mad dash out to the green area was made! Everybody seemed to have a good time.

Don't forget our annual Easter "egg" -travagansa in the neighborhood will be Sunday morning. We will meet at the center around 6:30 am, awaiting sunrise at 6:45. We have eggs or if you want to bring some you are welcomed to do so. Momma T will be there to lead us. Everybody is welcomed to join in on the fun. 

Joshua was reminding the people of Israel what God had done for the Jewish nation. Took them away from slavery, saved them over and over, provided for them, reminding them how great God is. 

We forget sometimes, maybe take for granted, the many blessings God has showered down on us. As Common Ground begins to discern God's direction in our journey, we sometimes forget where we started from. A group of people, sitting around a table, talking about life, talking about God, praying, listening to each other, listening to God, wondering what we should be doing. Building relationships with the children of the community, then meeting their moms. Learning from them, seeing their struggles, feeling their pain, allowing God to work in and through us to provide comfort, hope and lvoe.

Not sure we had a plan, not sure we knew what we were doing, not sure we had the money, but we just did it! Years later, we can see, I can see the hand of God in all that we accomplished, because most of what we did was beyond anything we could have ever done on our own.

This Holy weekend, God lvoing us so much, He asked His son to die for us, so that we can have life with Him, is the same God who will carry Common Ground into the next steps in our journey. He will bless us, beyond our wildness imaginations as long as we stay focused on Him. Joshua said to the people, "But for me and my household, we will serve the Lord." Let's serve the Lord and let Him lead us along our paths! Amen!