Change is coming

This week, this month, this year is flying by. Second month in the books, wondering what God has in store for us next! Exciting! Hope your week was a blessing to you and others.

We had several young men from a fraternity at Centenary join us Saturday. One of our long time pastor friends, Ellen Austin's son Nathaniel joined us and brought some of his friends. We met Ellen when she and Nathaniel came up from the hurricane in New Orleans. We then made several mission trips down to her church to help restore it. Now, many years later her son all grown up, starting his life, is helping us restore our building, pretty cool!

Hanging around the center Saturday morning, got to see all the activity that goes on. What a treat to look up and see Matt and Tim lead their group of children, with trash bags in hand out into the neighborhood. Only imaging what God is doing through these young people. Ardis and her children busy wrapping bread, cooking up delicious cinnamon toast for everybody. Lauren and Jan hosting Black History month activities, through art and song.

Scott and Dawn made their way around to the camps. No drama this week which is a good thing. Smokey being Smokey, had a fried fish lunch for Dawn and Scott as they arrived! What a true servant of God, always wanting to give back.

Tim brought some new friends. You could hear guitar and dulcimer songs throughout the building.

Pizza smells came from the kitchen at lunch time, being enjoyed by everybody. A great morning, happening every week, come and enjoy.

We got a nice surprise Monday morning, as our floor guys showed up to strip away the old flooring in the hallway and fellowship hall. It has been a long time coming but it is good we can remove some of the old flooring to make way for new flooring. The new look will put everybody in a better humor!

Tuesday evening, Matt read from Matthew 7: 13-29. A full circle of men, sharing their hearts about what God has done in their lives. Talking about producing good fruit. Learning why and how we can produce good fruit.

Thursday evening was a challenge, with the floor being removed stuff was everywhere, but as usual God provides and everybody had a great time. Pastor Eddie brought a friend of his to share the Word in chapel. Ms Abbie and the community choir led us in songs. Cypress Baptist brought our meal and helped serve it. Grocery bags were given out. Clothes were taken. Prayers were exchanged. It was a good night.

Prayers need to be lifted up for the congregation of Grace Methodist. Pastor Roger, who has spoken at our chapel several times needed a leave of absence and will not be returning to Grace. Prayers for all during this time of transition. Prayers for Sarah and Scott as they make their way to their new home in Dallas and their new church. They will be missed by us, but will always be a part of our family. Prayers for our community as we continue to move forward, listening to God for our direction.

We read in Matthew about producing good fruit. We talked about our actions. We talked about why we do what we do. The folks said to Jesus, we did all these things for you and Jesus said to them, Get away from me, you who do evil. I never knew you.

There seems to be a fine line of doing good and doing for God. Who doesn't like to hear, oh what a fine job you are doing! I hear good things about what you are doing! Wish I had time to do what you are doing. Our humanness gets in the way many times, wanting praise, gratification, glory. It seems if we are doing things for us, at some point and time we will burn out. The praise will stop. The adulation will subside. Then you are left with an empty heart and exhasuted.

Our new pastor in chapel read from Romans 10, the first few verses talking about trying to save all the Jews. Most of them were trying to obey the laws, doing the right thing for the wrong reason. Jesus is not interested in what you do. He is more concerned about why you do it.

We can do all the right things for the wrong reasons. Jesus is concerned about our hearts. If we have lvoe for Jesus in our hearts, then anything we do will be for the right reasons.

We talked about Tuesday night, most of us produced bad fruit in our lives or no fruit at all. Why, because we did not have Christ in our hearts. Now that we have found Christ, keep Him in our hearts, now we are producing good fruit. I see it every week when I see each one of you.

Our goal is to reach out to others and share that lvoe. We need to let them see something in us, that they see no where else. When someone come up to us and says, you sure are doing good works. Say to them it is not me, but Christ within me.

As we know, Christ changed our hearts. Change in our community will come when Christ enters their hearts. Let us build a Kingdom where Christ's light shines so bright, so full of energy, that everybody who comes will be changed. God is preparing a place, a community to do that, right now - right here! Very exciting! Very humbling to be a part of it all! Amen

Hope everybody has a great week. Let your light shine brightly for Christ this week!

Faith

Shhhh! Don't tell anybody, but mr brian over slept Friday morning and has been running late all day long! Sorry for the late note, but when you get as old as some of us in our community  you need to understand we don't move as fast as we use to!!

Momma T was busy Saturday morning as the biscuits were cooking,  the bacon was frying, the coffee was brewing, the fruit was being cut up, the gravy was warming, and the hash browns were browning. Yummy, great way to start off the weekend.

Our visits went well. Turner is fine. Brad and Robert have moved their camp, being run off twice and now back in an old residence. Robert is going through some chemo treatments. We got to see Dave and his lady friend Dee. Soda pop and Ms Evelyn have not returned to their camp site. It was good to visit with Smokey and catch up on all the news.

The center was full of activity with the children wrapping the bread, cleaning up, picking up trash, having Bible study, and eating lunch. A full morning.

No after school  activities on Monday with the holiday. Wednesday afternoon, the children showed up and we got back to our regular schedule of studies.

Tuesday evening, Brother Elbert led the men's Bible fellowship. He read from Mark 10: 46 - 52. As Ricky said, we had just discussed these verses at our common ground gathering, thinking God must be after us. Showing us how important faith is to God.

Thursday, we got our evening started off, by having our new pastor Benny and his wife, Shelly lead chapel. Shelly, Ms Abbie and our community choir led us in some spirited songs, then Benny shared the Word. It is humbling to hear the stories of folks, from where they were to where God has brought them. We can all relate, realizing we are more alike than we are different.

We had a group of youth from Grace helping us serve and clean up. What a treat. A nice evening, full of suprises and laughter.

Prayer concerns. William has gone missing. We have not heard from him in awhile. If any of you hear from him, please let us know. Joe Barefield is still struggling from his last round of seizures. Not back to his old self, keep him lifted up. Our community youth. So much darkness in our community drawing our young ones into a life not where God wants them to be. Prayers for Momma T and the health challenges of her mom. Sarah and Scott as they get close to their time to leave us. Prayers for God's direction in their new ministry.

We have a group of Centenary students joining us this Saturday. Come and meet them, hang out with them.

Has everybody seen Lomax's web site? Take a look, help out if you can.

In Max Lucado's devotional this morning, he asked the question? How would you fill in this blank? A person is made right with God through_____.  What would you answer? Works. Suffering. Poverty. Obediance. Knowing the Bible. Going to church. Praying.

Tuesday night, we read about a blind man, who hollered as loud as he could at Jesus, Rabbi heal me. It wasn't because he was blind that Jesus acknowledge him. It wasn't because he spoke up. Jesus healed this blind man because of his faith.

Max, gives his explanation of faith, "Yet, how are we truly made right with God? All are demonstrated. But none are from God. Romans 3:28 says, "A person is made right with God through faith." Through faith in God's sacrifice on the cross."

The faith of a mustard seed can move mountains. Nothing is too big for God, if we have faith in Him. Let go and let God move that mountain, because of your faith in Him. Let go of whatever is holding you back and have faith God will be there for you. Step out, be bold, let go, because of your faith in Jesus. Amazing things will happen. Blessings beyond your comprehension will follow.

Something so simple, yet so powerful. Want to please God, want to know Jesus. Turn you life over to Christ and have faith in the One who lvoes us all. Amen.

Have a great week, enjoy this beautiful weather, God is so good!

Obedience

Happy Valentine's Day to all! Love and lvoe. A good way to live.

We had an unusual week. We got started off by our friends from Crowley arriving at one on Friday. Just as they got to the center, the lights went out! So we walked around showing them our place and talked for two hours about what Christ is doing in our lives. At some point, we had 2 snow flakes show up and all the kids went outside and played in it. Children from South Louisiana don't get see snow very often, so they were thrilled!

Saturday morning with the lights back on, we got things going. Some of the Crowley group stayed behind and worked around the center. While the rest of the group went us on our visits. Julie, the youth pastor, has visited us before with groups, wanting to start a homeless ministry in their town. Their new pastor joined us and got to see first hand, how the amazing gift of visiting the least of them can have on you.

Turner is a real trooper, letting 20 youth come for a visit. He is just getting comfortable with us. Allowing big groups to visit is a stretch for his personality. We must thank him immensely this week. Brad and Robert have moved. Not sure where, they were at their old site to meet us. Tim took the children back into the macroni camps, to meet some new friends. An experience the youth will remember forever.

Everybody else around the center were busy. Picking up trash, cleaning the kitchen, hanging up clothes, organizing, making meals, decorating tables a full morning of activities. 

We had our first school closure of the year, Tuesday and Wednesday, so the center was quiet in the afternoons. In fact, Tuesday night Bible study was called off because of our snow and ice storm. Sure missed the evening of fellowship.

Wednesday evening, we gathered at the Bright House to attend our family get together. Joey, Lomax and Rickey were great hosts with good food and good conversations. Pastor Benny joined us. We talked about our dreams for the community and the direction God maybe leading us. Always good to get together and hear from everyone.

Thursday evening was another evening full of adventures. Pastor Willie and Wes got us started off in chapel. Then TJ and his daughters prepared the meal and our new/old friends from Calvary Pentecostal church helped serve and clean up. Joey and his crew washed the dishes, Peaches and Ms Abbie took care of the groceries, a busy, full night of activities. What a blessing!

Prayer concerns for all who are battling the cough and flu. I have had sniffles for three weeks now, tired of it! Prayers for William. William is in Dallas working with the Bridge and the Stew Pot folks. We visited the Stew Pot several years ago, good folks, hoping they can help William. Prayers for Momma T and her mom. Prayers for Sarah and Scott as they start a new chapter in their lives. Prayers for the Grace family as they look for new leaders in the youth department. Prayers for Matt as he is battling a cold. Prayers for our community. Prayers for God's direction.

Don't forget this Saturday is our monthly breakfast starting at 8:30. Biscuits and all the fixings. Come and enjoy.

Thursday night was such a joy to see old friends come back. It reminds me again of how God continues to work in our lives. God's timing is always perfect, bringing folks to us when it is the right time. John Sacker was with us many years ago. Momma T and I were trying to figure, maybe 8 years ago. We were blessed by his presence and heart. Like most of us, his journey took him another direction but he still stayed connected to us through prayer and our blogs.

Now, 8 years later, God brings a man to his church who is looking for a place to get plugged into and John introduces us to Pastor Benny. Now John's church will be providing a meal for us next month. They will be attending chapel next week to support Pastor Benny. John's associate pastor is back, just at the time the church comes back to us. John's associate pastor is a long time friend of ours Todd. There are pictures of Todd, on our picture wall. Todd and his crew brought their street ministry to our community many years ago.

God wants our obedience. God wants our faithfulness. Then God will provide. Seems to me to be a test of sorts. God is looking at us and saying are you in it for the long haul. Are you lvoing for My glory or for yours? Over the years, we have seen people come and go in our community. Some start out with great passion, but fizzle out in a few months. Some try  to do it themselves and burn out over time. All with great intentions, but their hearts are in the wrong place.

Serving our God takes patience. Something I have very little of, but He keeps working on me. God wants someone who is committed to building His Kingdom. A Kingdom that takes years to build, not months or weeks. 

As we go through this process, He continues to work on us. We gradually learn to put all our trust in Him. We sometimes put too much trust in others and we get hurt or disappointed. He is working on our hearts, to let go of our own desires and turn to Him for His.

If we keep our paths focused on Him. If we stay strong in His faithfulness. If we stay obedient to His guidance. Then at the right time, at the right place, at the right way, God will bring blessings to us beyond our expectations.

How exciting to see this process working in all our lives. Let's celebrate our dreams, our efforts and our obedience as we get to build His Kingdom together. Amen.

See you all for breakfast. Have a great week. Hug someone today, that might not get a hug from anybody else! God is good!

Things of God

The first week of February is in the books! How did you experience the glory of God this week?

Our Saturdays continue to be full of activities in and around the center. The children helping with the bread. Others walking the neighborhood. The chapel being opened to share stories about the Bible. Friendship room hosting our friends who come to wash their clothes. While some go and visit our friends in the camps. Come by and join in on the fun.

We have had some changes in our camps. Turner is fine and surviving the cold. Brad and Robert have been asked to move their camp. Robert was in the process of doing that when we stopped by. Travis is now working and living inside. Dave has moved into a motel room. We stopped by to see Sodapop and he was waiting for his Cokes! Scott remembered to get the sodas. You would have thought, we had given Sodapop a million dollars! We did get some bad news during the week, that someone beat up Sodapop putting him in the hospital. Hope to see him Saturday to find out how he is doing. So sad, folks who have nothing, minding their own business, have to endure such tragedy.

One of our stops Saturday, was to go by and visit with Tim and his coworker Donna at the Hope House. They were busy cleaning and getting ready for Monday. Very exciting to see Tim start a new ministry and experience his passion for those who live outside.

Our afternoon activities are going good. Lots of children and lots of helpers. Experiencing new challenges as we see new children and realizing they are far behind in their studies.

Monday afternoon, we met with Pastor Benny Knoxnew and his wife Shelly. Last week, we talked about meeting Benny, who walked around the center and experienced some of what we are about. Evidently that made an impression on him, so he wanted his wife to come by and see for herself what he experienced. Both are excited to see the possibilities of what God has in store for us.

Tuesday evening the men gathered for Bible fellowship reading from Mark 8: 31-38. We had an old friend join us, who experienced a near death experience after being in a motorcycle accident 8 weeks ago. As he said, the medics said he should not be alive, but he survived, wanting us to know, God's lvoe is real and God's lvoe is simple. All we have to do is let go of our pride and arrogance and accept Jesus into our lives.

On a very cold Thursday afternoon, we got our activities started off by our friends, Heather, Derek and Richard sharing the Word through song and word. It was a special time as we got to celebrate our first communion in chapel. A remarkable experience, seeing the many different faces of the Body of Christ coming to the table. Doesn't get any better than that.

Tom supplied our meal, served up by the community. All the cleaning and washing was done by our friends. When I walked into the fellowship hall, the chairs were all stacked up, food was gone, dishes were washed. A very nice evening.

Following our meal, Lisa held a Board meeting. It was a time to talk about the numbers and ideas. We elected two new board members, Carl and Allison. The board met Pastor Knox and he shared some of his vision. It was voted on to move forward on the removal of our old tile floor to replace it was a new one, providing a safer environment for us all. 

We need to remember if we make a mess in the center, we need to clean it up. Put things away, don't leave anything on the kitchen counters. Turn off the lights, be sure the heating and cooling systems are shut off. Check all doors to be sure they are locked. If we all do our part, we can help with keeping our costs down.

There was some discussions on having a fundraiser. Several of our members have experience with putting on fundraiser's and we could use their experience in making ours happen. We have do doubt God will provide for our future as long as we stay in His will. So we will pray fully consider our options as we move forward in this area.

Please keep all who are not feeling well in your prayers. Keep William in your prayers. Joe Barefield is not 100% from his last seizure, keep him lifted up.

In Mark 8 verse 33 Jesus says to his disciples . . . You do not have in mind the concerns of God, but merely human concerns. Listening to some of the men Tuesday night, they thanked God for Common Ground. One said, his friends asked him, they did not see him at the Library as much as he use to be there. He said no, because he was at Common Ground. Sharing with his friends, I have found Christ, he is real.  Another man said, he use to be angry all the time, but now he has found peace because of Common Ground.

What is Common Ground? It is not a building. It is not a church. It is not a place. It is all of you. Common Ground is just a name. You all make it real. Folks can't hear about Jesus from a wall. The children can't learn from a chair. The hungry can't get fed from a table. Each one of you make the lvoe of Christ come to life and shines hope through the darkness.

In verse 34, Jesus says, whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves . . . You all are denying yourselves and picking up your crosses, leading others to Jesus.

In a world where fame, fortune, prosperity, notoriety are important, you are setting examples of what is important to God, lvoe, hope, compassion, peace. You are, God is more concerned about the hearts.

Continue to stay strong in your journeys to show lvoe, remembering that is what is important to God. Amen.

Hope you can come by the center this weekend and meet our friends from Crowley. Have a great week. Lvoe and peace to all.

Out There

The last week of the first month of the new year has come and just about gone! Wow! Hope your week  was full of blessings, God is good!

Saturday around the center has become a bee hive of activity. Some make their way around to the camps. Some help Ardis pack the bread away, picked up by the Ackermans. Some walk the streets picking up trash and visiting with our neighbors. Some attend Bible study. Some wash clothes. Some attended graduating ceremonies. All going on for the glory of God. Happening every week. Ya'll need to come.

Bernard(Turner) is doing fine. Icee Joe asked Turner, can we pray together before you leave. Turner put his bag down, and held our hands as Joe said a prayer! First time that has happened, praise God!  Brad and Robert were hanging in there, haven't seen Dave and Travis lately? the Macaroni camps are busy. We are seeing Evelyn, ol'man Dave, Sodapop on a regular basis now, long time friends. Help me to remember to get Sodapop a  6 pack of Cokes for our Saturday visits this week. If I forget, Sodapop said it would cost me $1000! Evelyn and Dave have been in housing but now back on the streets, wonder why?

Matt and family members of Henry, Ms Abbie's grandson, attended ceremonies for Henry as he graduated from the National Guard's Boot camp. A packed house of family and friends from all over the state were there to cheer on their children. Henry is growing up before our eyes into a strong, courageous young man. Give him a hug when you see him and tell him how proud you are of him.

Following our visits we gathered at Richard's home and held a memorial service. Thanks to all who came, some old friends came and we got to visit with each other. It was a blessing to gather together and share scripture, sing a song, pray together and share our stories of a man who changed us all. I offered up a prayer to God, not sure God needs it, but I asked for prayers for God, because now He will be listening to all of Richard's stories! Smokey left a cross hanging on one of the walls at the gas station, as a reminder of our friend.

Our afternoon activities are going great. Gabrielle is quickly becoming a master in leading our aftermoon activities, getting the most out of them. The children come in, take a popsicle stick marked with an assigned table. That is where they will be for the afternoon. Our helpers take their stick and go to their assigned desk.  The children get stars for doing good work. Treats for being respectful. Great afternoons. Took some pictures of the afternoon and will put them up on our web site this weekend.

Tuesday evening, the men gathered. The men were lead by Rickie, one of our community men, in reading from James chapter 3: 1-12. As Rickie began, he encouraged all of the men to sit in the circle to be close to the power of God. Almost all moved from the back of the chapel into the circle. What a blessing to see. It took courage for the young men to moved forward, to feel like they were a part of something, but they did and we were all blessed by the end of the night. Amazing things going on in that circle, God is at work!

We also had the privilege on Tuesday evening to see Matt receive a gift of lvoe from Ms Abbie and Peaches', Henry's mom for his support and encouragement during Henry's time at Camp Minden. A blessing.

I needed a ladder Wednesday for a job and stopped by the center to pick it up. Seeing Stephanie's car there reminded me of the commitment she has made to our community. For over 2 years now, she faithfully comes every week, along with Ms Abbie, missing Ms Dororthy, opens up all those big garage bags full of clothes and hangs up the clothes. The new clothing room is now organized and ready for business. There is no one at the center other than these ladies, not receiving any praise other than knowing God is watching and is well pleased. True servants.

Not sure what was in the water Thursday but something is going on?! Around 3pm, 4 of our young men from Tuesday showed up. They called Joey and Joey said, for them to come by and get some clothes. Abbey talked with them, thinking they wanted to wash clothes but they wanted clothes. Abbey, went out of her way, not really having the time, took them to the clothing room and dressed them for success. You should have seen these young men, from wearing baggy pants to wearing, dress pants, button down shirts and putting on blue blazers. The boys came into the chapel asking me to tie their ties for them. I asked Roy, you ever worn a tie? he said no. Wow! They wanted to look good so they could go out and look for jobs.

While that was going on, our longtime friend John Sacker was arranging a meeting with his pastor and another pastor from North Carolina with us. We walked around, showing our facility to them, telling them our story, sharing our dreams. As we were in the parking lot saying goodbye, I said to the pastor from North Carolina, we have been praying for 18 years for a black Christian role model for our young men. He said to me, your prayers have been answered! He said, he was doing fine in North Carolina but one day God said to him, you need to move back to Shreveport, I've got something planned for you! Wow!

Then after chapel, the young man who had been causing trouble, Rambo comes to Tim and says he wants to apologize. So Pastor Elbert and Rambo talk for an hour, sharing the lvoe of Christ with each other and getting things squared with each other. Amazing God we have!

Prayers for Scott Ferrell on Saturday. He is traveling to New Orleans to run in his first marathon and maybe his last! Prayers for William. He is at Brentwood, trying to get his demons under control. Prayers for Tim and he begins a new chapter in his life as the New Hope House opens up Monday. Prayers for Momma T as her and her family grieve over the passing of their daddy, husband and friend. Prayers for Joe Barefield. He had another seizure Wednesday at noon. He was taken to the hospital, spent the night. Ms Abbie said he was suppose to come home Thursday evening. Have not heard if he made it.

Seeing the young men, coming to us, wanting to change their lives hit me hard Thursday. Tuesday evening, during our time for prayer concerns, the young men have begun to speak up, asking for prayers for finding jobs. A young man, who weeks earlier was cussing and fighting, coming to us wanting to change his life. It is time for change! It is time for us to step out! It is time for acts of faith!

These young men, our young ladies have no shot at finding jobs. They are uneducated, most have criminal records, no job skills. Abbey shares her lvoe with them, in getting them to look good, but they don't know what to do next. They don't know how to shake hands, to fill out a job application, to look employable. Through Matt, Elbert, Rickie, Joey, Tim, these young men are being shown the light of Christ, but that does not put food on the table or get the bills paid.

Nobody is going to hire them, so what do they do? Where do they go? Who is going to help them? 

God is through us. We have talked about a coop grocery store, let's do it. Let's put these young people to work, teaching them a skill, so they can get a job elsewhere. We have talked about a clothing store, let's do it. Teaching them to show up on time, learning how to smile, saying yes ma'am, no sir in a pleasing way. So when they go to get a job they will know what to do.

We have discussed starting a teaching kitchen. Let's do it. We have a kitchen, we have a chef, let's teach our young people how to work in environment together. Learning ways to better themselves. There is a building on Line Avenue that needs to be resurrected into a restaurant, selling our food, teaching our young people how to serve, learning a new way of life.

What we have accomplished so far through our relationships with God has been truly amazing. But we are just beginning. We don't need to become too comfortable in our ways. We need to be constantly moving forward, we need to call upon God, we need to be faithful, we need to become uncomfortable. If it feels "out there" than let's do it! God lvoes it when we are "out there" because we need Him to survive!

Begin praying, or I should say pray harder, for God's quiet voice and let's see what ideas we can come up with. No dream is too small, no idea is too unimportant. God is the architect of it all, nothing is too big for Him! Very exciting! Amen!

Hope your first week of the second month is a good one. Enjoy the many blessings He has in store for you!