Good Friday, is it?!

Holy Week, Good Friday, Resurrection, Rebirth, Renewed, Easter Bunny, Easter Eggs, Laughter, Tears, Rejoice, how was your week!

We got our week started off by welcoming our new family from Baker, Louisiana. The youth from Blackwater Methodist church arrived Friday night, staying at Grace, with Krysten welcoming them. They joined us for our outdoor friends visits Saturday morning. Everybody seemed to be doing fine in the camps. We visited with Turner for a few minutes, Richard was not home, then made our way to see Robert. Robert was working, but we met a new friend staying with Robert. Just as we were leaving Daniel walked up. We then went to see all the guys behind the macaroni factory. As the morning went along, the wind and cold seemed to get stronger and colder, so we ended our visits so the youth could get inside.

Just as we were getting ready to leave for our visits, we had a big group of men, some of their wives and children join us from Barksdale. The men are in a Bible study group at the base and wanted to do some work for us. They tilled the orchard area, they chomped up some limbs, some painted inside the center. What a great group of people.

Meant to share with you all, a couple of Saturdays ago, we had our first baby shower for our community center. One of our family, who helps us with our meals, asked us if she could host a baby shower for one of her daughters. Thought it was pretty cool, they would think of us to host such a special event. One step at a time, as we develop relationships with our neighbors.

Monday morning, Dawn met the youth from Blackwater at the center and more work was done. They began the huge task of getting the library back in order. Some continued painting our doors and trim in the hallway. Some decorated the tables in the fellowship hall for our Easter meal and some trimmed and edged our grounds. They worked all day long. Around noon Lomax joined in on the fun and hosted the group in the afternoon.

Tuesday morning our youth returned to finish up their projects and said goodbye at noon. What a special group of young people, taking their time and their energy, spending part of their spring break with us. Pictures are up on our Face book page.

Tuesday evening, Mr Matt and the men gathered for Bible fellowship. Matt read from Mark 14, talking about when Jesus was arrested and going through his trials, the disciples deserted him. Many times we ask, how in the world could the disciples do something like this, fall asleep when asked to pray, denounce they ever knew him, runaway at the first signs of trouble. During the discussions, we were asked, don't we do the same things now? How often, do we try to do it ourselves, only go to God when we have messed things up, let our pride and egos lead us instead of our humility.

Thursday was our Easter celebration. We got started off in chapel, by hearing the word from Pastor Eddie. He talked about the two on the road to Emmaus. As the two walked back home, reminiscing on what they had seen at the cross, worrying they had lost all hope for their future, not recognizing Jesus as he walked along side of them. Pastor reminded us, when we take our eyes off of Jesus, we will loose our way. When we take our eyes off of Jesus, our storms will overcome us.

Then Joey and his friends from the BCM from LSUS gathered all the eggs from Ms Vickie and her friends from Airline Baptist and hide them around the center. What a blessing to see all the children running and laughing as they were finding their treasures.

We had more friends from Airline Baptist supplying our meal of red beans and rice, salad and cookies for our meal. Ms Vickie brought candy treats for everyone also. Thanks to all for making it such a wonderful Easter celebration.

Don't forget, this Sunday morning, Easter Sunday, we will gather at the center at 6:45, waiting on the sunrise at 7:05 to make our annual Easter egg neighborhood walk. Everybody is welcome to join us. We have lots of eggs to hide, you can bring some if you would like, but come. Usually takes about an hour or so, plenty of time to get to church. 

Continued prayers for the Bollingers, Cari's treatments are accomplishing what the doctors are wanting and hopefully allowing them to move on to other procedures. For Joe and Abbie. You saw Ardis' report on Joe from Thursday night, a long road ahead for them. For William and James as they work together to keep their apartment. New challenges. 

Good Friday, I have struggled with it being called Good. Christ is beaten, spit upon, wearing a crown of thorns, bleeding, and then hung on a cross. What's good about that! I remember one Maundy Thursday service many years ago, seeing a video of the torture Jesus is put through and feeling sick. What's good about Good Friday, Jesus died for us! He did not die for himself, He died for us! With each slashing of the whip was another sin of the world taken away. A sin you and I commit, Jesus took away from us. Unbelievable! God lvoes us so much, He would allow His son to go through all of this for us, for you and me! Remarkable!

Doesn't the sacrifice made on Good Friday, make you want to live your life for Christ? Can't we humble ourselves enough to be the kind of servants Christ wants us to be, especially thinking what happened today so many years ago. Christ died for us, can't we die from our old lives and live for Him?!

Why don't we have Easter resolutions each year instead of New Year resolutions? If we turned our lives over to Christ, all things would be possible even our resolutions! What is holding you back from being the person God is wanting you to be? There is nothing God can't handle. Let it go, let God be in charge. Especially today, especially on Good Friday. This Friday is good because Jesus took away the sins of the world, so that we might have everlasting life. Don't let the torture Jesus went through be in vain. Lvoe Jesus, Lvoe God, Lvoe others! 

See you Sunday. Lvoe your family and friends, especially today! Amen!

38001!?

Just when you thought it was alright to start planting in the garden, we have cold weather approaching again. Our Easter cold snap is upon us! Oh well, what'cha going to do! Hope you week has been a good one, with lots of blessings and joys.

We got our week started off great with our Saturday morning breakfast. Momma T and her crew of young people from the neighborhood helped her cook, french toast, ham, serving fresh fruit, coffee and lots of good conversations. Don't forget, the third Saturday of each month we will gather for more good food and fellowship. Come and join us.

Momma T had her Christmas come early this year on Saturday! Her friend Jeff, brought her a wood chipper! Momma T spent all morning shredding limbs into mulch! You could hear her singing all morning long!

Tim, Matt and Scott went around to the camps after breakfast, serving up some of our breakfast leftovers. Everybody enjoyed the meals.

Tuesday, Ms Lisa and her van took another family from the neighborhood to Norton Gallery gardens. Lomax, Joey, Mara, a new friend Logan all joined in on the fun, pictures are up on our Face book page. A great afternoon, thanks to all for making this special event happen for the children.

Mr Matt got our Tuesday men's Bible fellowship started off, with a meal of spaghetti prepared by a friend of theirs, yummy! We then talked about Paul sharing how great is God for our lives, to remember He is in charge, and give Him all the Glory.

Wednesday evening we gathered at Ardis' house for our family Bible study. We are reading the book Dr Phil and his friend Harold wrote. We shared our thoughts on the introduction and the first chapter. In two weeks, we will gather at the Bright House and discuss chapters 2 and 3. 

Thursday evening got started off with chapel being led by the singing of our friend Spencer. The Word was shared by a new friend, Elbert Brown. Both did an outstanding job of using their gifts to praise God. Our meal was prepared by Tim, who spent  Sunday afternoon cooking on the grill. The pork was delicious as well as the rest of the meal. Thanks Tim. You need to do that more often! We had a large crowd of folks for supper. Ms Lisa handled the handing out of our grocery bags. We have had to make our bags smaller because of the numbers we are having, in order to make our budget stretch as far as possible. 

We will have two groups visiting us this Saturday. Our new friends from Blackwater Methodist church in Baton Rouge will be here. We will also have a group from Barksdale joining us. The youth from Blackwater will be around Grace Sunday, so please introduce yourselves to them. They will be with us through Tuesday.

We will have our annual Easter egg hunt for the neighborhood children Thursday afternoon following our meal. Ms Vicky and friends will bring some eggs. Joey and the BCM young adults will hide our eggs. Also, we will have a special appearance by our Easter bunny?! We can use all the eggs we can get, so if you can, please bring some by and join in on the fun please do so.

Also, it has become a family tradition, for us to hide eggs Easter Sunday around our neighborhood. We will gather at sunrise, bless the eggs and hide them in the yards as we walk around the neighborhood. This has become one of our biggest joys each year as we walk for Jesus. We are done in a couple of hours allowing you to get to church. Come and join us, bringing as many friends and family members as you would like, bringing as many eggs as you can. A joyous time!

We have talked about it in our mens Bible fellowship and we talked about it Wednesday evening, worshiping traditions or doctrines, loosing the power of Jesus. Harold wrote in the introduction, he was on fire for Jesus, reading the Bible everyday for more than 6 hours a day. He then came to the USA and began to be introduced to the various religions of the country. It was not long, he became lost, knowing the laws, knew what was right or wrong, but lost his passion for the Bible or the things of God.

Several years ago, I was attending a funeral for a friend. During the service, the pastor said, we are going to have communion now, but only for those who are members of our faith! When Jesus broke the bread and served the wine, he did not ask each disciple what "religion" are you? He only asked do you love my father?

Harold says in his book, there are over 38,000 Christian denominations! 38,000 that is amazing! Just in our little neighborhood of Cedar Grove, you can go a block or two, maybe three and find a church on every corner, why? Man has added, subtracted, multiplied, divided the Bible in so many ways, we have gotten away from the radicality of it. We are here to serve others, not ourselves.

I ask you to help me, for common ground not to become 38,001. Not another Christian denomination where we are more concerned about our beliefs, our traditions, our programs, and we loose our compassion for Christ. I guess that is why God has been convicting me for the last several months, it is not about mr brian, not about common ground, but about Christ who is in me. 

May we all allow the Holy Spirit, burning inside each one of us, to shine through us and that everything we do, we say, we are, allow the glory of God to be glorified. Exciting times are ahead of us as we become the people of God.

Have a great week, remembering our special celebration fast arriving next weekend. What a sacrifice His son made for us, may we honor that sacrifice in everything we do and say this week! Amen and Amen.

hearts

Spring has sprung in this part of the country! What a beautiful time of the year, buds coming out on the trees, blooms beginning to spring open on the plants, warmer weather, beautiful sunrises, sunsets, a new beginning, a new start, let's make it a glorious season, and show God's glory to all!

We got the week started off by welcoming some old friends from Crowley, Louisiana. Ms Julie and Mr Tim led the youth from First Methodist. They helped out around the center. Krysten met them Thursday evening at Grace. Mr Karl and Ms Dawn along with Krysten, met them at the center Friday morning working all morning long. Then Saturday morning they traveled around with us visiting our friends, worked more Saturday afternoon. They attended worship at Grace Saturday night before they left for home. What an awesome group of youth, huge hearts, lots of enthusiasm, and a whole lot of energy!

Momma T, Ms Lisa and Ms Heather gathered in the garden for U2 Saturday. A big group of neighbors joined in on the fun of making Easter baskets and Easter costumes. What a fun time. Pictures are one the web site.

I guess the highlight of our visits on Saturday was seeing a long lost friend, Daniel. He was lost but now he is found! He is living with Robert at the moment, but hoping to get a place of his own in the near future.

Monday afternoon, we met some new friends at the center. A group of youth from Tyler from Colonial Hills Baptist church joined us all afternoon working in the garden, taking down Christmas lights, painting in the center, and trimming trees. Krysten and Mr Karl met them and showed them around. They are part of a group called Mission Tyler, helping the least of them in their town. Great group of young people, tireless workers.

Tuesday afternoon, we had a field trip for our neighborhood children. Ms Lisa had her van and loaded up the kids and took them to Norton Arts Gallery gardens. Joey, Lomax, Krysten, Mara and our own Allison, home for spring break helped out. Beautiful afternoon for the trip. More trips are planned. Pictures are up on our web site about their adventure. Everybody needs to ask Lomax what he forgot to do that afternoon!?

Also on Tuesday, we had to say goodbye to one of our interns, Krysten. Well not good bye, but hello to the full time youth director of First Methodist church in Minden. The challenge of being a youth pastor, took more time than she thought, so she is leaving Common Ground as it's director and devoting her energy and time in leading the youth of Minden. Krysten will be living at the Bright House for the moment, so you will ample opportunity to say thanks for everything she has done for our community, our children and our friends. Thanks Krysten for a job well done.

Tuesday evening, the men gathered for Bible fellowship, reading from Philippians 4. Paul sharing what Christians should do. be full of joy in the Lord. Let everyone see you are gentle and kind. do not worry about anything, but pray and ask God for everything. God's peace will keep your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus. Wow, what words to live by, so simple, so pure, so full of peace, can't we do it?!

Wednesday, as we said goodbye to Krysten, God put us together with a new family member, Abbey Roubel. Abbey will be assuming Krysten's duties, as she said Thursday evening, I'm the new Krysten! She is full of life, a young mom and wife, and a caring heart for our community. If you see her at Grace or around the center, please introduce yourselves to her. She wants to get to know everybody and help out as much as she can.

Thursday afternoon, we had a return visit from our Tyler youth. They are on spring break this week, didn't finish their work on Monday, so they wanted to come back and do more work! Isn't that amazing. They worked all afternoon until it was time to help out Ms Abbie, Ms Dorothy in food pantry and preparing our meal. They served, cleaned, and washed dishes before they returned home! What a blessing!

Pastor Jackson and Wes led us in chapel. We opened up the doors to the chapel, so the songs and the Word of God could be heard to the streets! Wes and I had prepared some songs, but the Spirit got hold of Pastor and he went another direction! He had everybody standing, clapping, hollering, singing praises to the Lord! Tears of joy were flowing as we were covered in the power of the Holy Spirit. Pastor read from first Samuel, talking about God finding a king, looking at our hearts, not what others see. Very inspiring.

After chapel, our youth from Tyler was serving our food prepared by Momma T of chicken spaghetti, salad and brownies. Yummy! Ms Lisa, checked her grocery lists and the evening was great. Thanks to all for making our community meal such a special time.

Prayer concerns for the week, Charley and Noel are participating in the Kairos weekend at Wade. Prayers for Noel, as he waits for test results from his doctor. John Williams is leading the prayer team at a mens' Walk to Emauas. Prayers for Wes and Shannon. Their only son has left for the Marines and started his basic training. Prayers God will continue to lead us along our journeys. Continued prayers for Ms Sarah as she continues to lead teams of servants in Haiti. Prayers for Ms Abbie as she continues to recover from her eye surgery. Everything is fine, just taking time to heal.

Don't forget our third Saturday breakfast is this Saturday, March 16th, at 8:30. Momma T and her crew will be serving, french toast, bacon, fruit and hot coffee. Come if you can and enjoy the fellowship.

We will have another youth group joining us next weekend, Monday and Tuesday. The youth from Blackwater Methodist church in Baton Rouge will be coming. Please come by at some point and meet and greet them.

It's been awhile, since I have been asked, are you the preacher of this community. I was asked Thursday night. I told them, oh no, I am a nobody, just hanging around, trying to do what God wants of me. I was reminded of that Thursday at chapel when Pastor read from 1 Samuel 16, in verse 7, the Lord said to Samuel, "Don't look at how handsome Eliab is or how tall he is, because I have not chosen him. God does not see the same way people see. People look at the outside of a person, but the Lord looks at the heart."

The kingdoms set up by man are driven by greed, egos, power, oppression. Usually the strongest over power the weakest. And in time, man's kingdom will die. God's Kingdom is completely opposite. God does not look at the powerful, He looks at the common. He does not see strength, He sees compassion. God chooses to serve, rather than lead. God's Kingdom will never die.

If our community is to survive, we must allow God to use us in ways we may not understand. We must humble ourselves, allowing God to receive the glory. It is not about us and the way we do things, but about God and the way He wants things done. How exciting to allow God to flow through you and let the Holy Spirit shine in our community. It was evident Thursday night.

I was told a story Thursday night about a member of our neighborhood, who looks to Common Ground for peace and understanding. They do not find lvoe in the neighborhood, only in our community. When they are away, they miss it. What a testimony to all of you for being the kind of servants God is wanting us to be. How exciting to be a part of such special people.

Hope your weekend is great. Hope your weather is beautiful and you can enjoy it with your family and friends. Lvoe, Lvoe, Lvoe, Amen!

Lvoe continues

I am writing this note from Dallas this morning. We got a text from our son Thursday morning, to see if we could come over and baby sit our grandson today. We quickly agreed and have been playing all morning with him. It is nap time for the moment, so this will be a quick note. What a blessing, these little ones are! Thank you God.

Unfortunately, I was out of town last weekend, so don't know much about our visits. Mr Scott and Mr Tim will have to fill us in.

Tuesday evening, the men of the community gathered for Bible fellowship. Mr Matt read from Mark 10. James and John asking Jesus to sit at his right hand, pride and egos were running high. Jesus said, we have not come to lead but to serve. We have to be careful our pride and egos do not get hold of us as we come to celebrate God's lvoe each weekend. Does our everyday walks reflect Jesus' lvoe or do we have our own agendas?

Wednesday, we got to experience a remarkable event in the life of our community. Through the dedication of Dr Phil, the persistence of Ms Lisa, the generosity of Dan Poole and his company, with the gifts of craftsmanship of Dave, Travis and Willie, we dedicated the first JJ house and blessed all who will come through the doors. Pastor Roger led our dedication, Pastor Warren led us in the singing of Amazing Grace. We have all been to dedications before, a new room, a new building, a new church, but a new house in the middle of such darkness is truly amazing! I wonder when the last time something new has been built in the Cedar Grove neighborhood, 40 years, 50 years maybe more! This is only the beginning, God is up to something very powerful.

We prayed a prayer for the JJ house while Pastor Roger anointed the doorways with oil. The prayer could be used for all our homes. "God, bless this house and all who live and visit here. Fill this dwelling with an ambiance of peace, prosperity, health, happiness, harmony and love. Let this space shine with divine light and beauty and provide a warm, comfortable haven from the world. May only beings that are kind-hearted and well-intentioned enter here. Enter with your Holy Spirit and a welcomed friend. May all who enter here receive what they need, and fell richly blessed with their heart's desires." Amen.

Following the dedication, Lomax and Joey hosted our family gathering. It was decided we will begin studying Dr Phils book. First time in all our studies, when we have a question about what the author was saying, we can go straight to the "man" and ask. Let Dr Phil know if you need a book.

With mr brian out of town on Thursday evening, Ms Lisa, sent in a recap of the evening. Heather, Derrick and their dad got us started off in chapel. Then a new group of servants from Cypress Point Baptist church provided our meal. Thanks to Ms Vicki and Mr Matt, they shared our story with them and they wanted to come and help out. Being the first of the month, our numbers were small, so it provide more time for Ms Lisa and others to sit down with us and get to know us a little better.

I have fallen down on acknowledging birthdays, sorry to all. The month of March we had or having a bunch. Please sing happy birthday when you see them. Charley, Hat, Scott and Ms Sarah. Are there others?

Prayers for Dr Phil as he heads to the East coast to visit his children. He will be gone a week. Prayers for Ms Abbie. She had a procedure to repair a detached retina on Tuesday. She is fine but will be home for awhile. Beth and Charley asked for prayers, that God will send a Christian community across Wes 'path in China.Charley ask for prayers for those who are involved in the sex, slave industry. Prayers for the upcoming Kairos weekend.

Thursday evening, Krysten met our friends from First Methodist church in Crowley. They will be with us through Saturday. Ms Dawn and Mr Karl are working with them Friday morning. Saturday morning they will join us for our friends visits and then work with Momma T in the afternoon.

We also are having a classroom of young people joining us Friday morning to help us out.

We will have a new community coming Monday afternoon. Friends of Mission Tyler will be coming over and working with us. Some of our young adults visited with them last summer and made an impression on them. Through that relationship, Travis White wanted to come by for a visit.

If your schedule allows please go by and say Hi to all our friends!

The baby is stirring, His Majesty awakens! Play time is about to begin! This note will end!

Thank you all so much for being community. When someone leaves others step forward and the lvoe continues. What a pleasure to be a part of such a special family.

Have a great weekend with your family and friends. Amen.