Today, not tomorrow

Another week has come and gone. Hope your week  was a good one. God seems to find a way for us all to receive His blessings during the storms of life.

I guess the highlight of the week was attending the retirement party for our own Dr Phil. We were honored to be present as his team of nurses, doctors, and staff of Shriner's Hospital poured out their lvoe for Dr Gates, as they call him. Standing room only as the auditorium was filled with many of the executives from Tampa, Florida expressing their gratitude for all Dr "Gates" has done for the hospital in Shreveport but also for the national organization. There were numerous children, in wheel chairs and using crutches gathered to express their love for their doctor. One of the presentations to Dr Gates was a donation taken up by the staff of Shriner's, for his favorite charity, Common Ground. Seeing all the people gathered, reminded me, life is not about the material things we strive to accumulate, but about lives we touch. Dr Gates has touched lives, changed hearts, brighten the futures of so many people and children, his legacy will last forever. So proud to know a man of God and blessed to have him as part of our community.

Scott is calling upon God to supply him with resources for our outdoor friends. God provided with two different groups of people wanting to do something for our friends. Please join Scott Saturday at the center and spread God's around to our friends.

Our final week of camp is upon us. Lots of surprises and activities planned for the children this week. If you haven't been by this summer, please put it on your to do list this week. Thank all the young leaders for their tireless efforts and lvoing hearts. Hearts have been changed this summer.

Rickie led our men's fellowship Tuesday evening. We read from Jonah, chapter one. God asked Jonah to do something and Jonah, said, I don't think so, ran away and tried to hide from God. How many times have we been asked by God to do something and we resisted? Thank you Lord for your grace, God does not give up on us, like he did with Jonah and gives us another chance.

We had a quick but powerful storm come through Wednesday evening. Fortunately the electricity was on at the center for our Thursday activities. Spencer and Chester led chapel through song and words. Big crowd gathered for our meal, clothes and groceries. A good evening of food and fellowship.

Common Ground will be part of a curriculum for one of the classes being taught at Centenary this school year. Lisa has laid the ground work, interviews will take place with the teacher telling our stories and then we will let God do His work. We have been blessed over the years to have such special young people from the school to be a part of our community. Wonder what God is up to?!

A thought came through my mind this week. Not to sound critical at all of the church, just an observation. When we were being interviewed last Thursday for the Angel award, we met at the center. We walked around the center trying to find a quiet place to record. The sound guy couldn't. We had to go to a church to find a quiet place! Our community was buzzing with activity during on a weekday, while the church was quiet?

Continued prayers for William. I confess I have not been by to seem him, hopefully I will be able to in the coming days. Please go by when you can. Don't have to bring anything, just your smile and hug. Prayers for our son's wife's family, They lost their mom, friend and wife last week and are adjusting to life without her smile and love.

These past few weeks I have been reminded how precious life is. Several weeks ago, I got a phone call from a high school friend. We meet once a year and play golf together. I tell folks, it is not about the golf so much as it is the time we get to spend together. He told me, he went to the hospital for a scan. When he walked into the waiting room was another class mate of ours waiting for his scan. They talked together about high school days and what their plans were for the future. Our classmate was about to retire, was going to travel, visit with his grand children, open up a small business, enjoy life. My golfing partner, left the room for his scan, they shook hands, and said we need to go to lunch soon. Two weeks later, our classmate died.

Our daughter-in-law's mother, just back from a family trip. Enjoying life, getting to know our grand children, planning a new adventure soon, stepped out of the bathroom last Thursday morning, had a heart attack, hit her head on the floor of their house and died. Attending her memorial service yesterday in Dallas, hearing storied written by her children, seeing photographs of her smile, being surrounded by family and friends from all over the country, you are reminded, it is not about stuff, but about relationships.

I know it take for granted, I will get up tomorrow and life will go on. I know I take for granted, God granting me another day to enjoy our grandchildren. We say all the time, don't take tomorrow for granted, you never know when it will be your time. I have heard that all my life, but it really hasn't sunk in. I still get up each day, and forget to thank God for the privilege I have to share His lvoe with others.

Don't put off tomorrow, what you can do today. Don't let anger, jealousy, bitterness dwell inside of you today. Life is precious. Life is too short, to be full of resentment towards others. We have the honor to share the lvoe of Jesus today, do it. Are you wanting to give someone a hug, but your pride is getting in the way? Let go of it, let the Holy Spirit, guide you in your journey. Smiles, hugs, lvoe are what we need to be striving for each day.

As our Dr Gates, has shown us, it is not about the stuff we accumulate over life, but about the hearts we touch. Dr Gates, did it with his soft touches, lvoing smiles, not his words. Can't we do the same? Can't we do it today? God's presented us a gift today, how can we show Him, thank you God for your gift? Amen.

God is good!

Family

I'm baaaack!! Or at least this week! Taking a few weeks off from the community you lvoe so much, leaves an empty hole in your heart. Seeing and hearing about all the activities of camp, Bible study, Saturday mornings, Thursday meals, reassured me, God is in control. mr brian was missed, mr brian missed being around, but life goes on. God's Kingdom continues to flourish in ways God's gets the glory.

What a treat it was to experience all the activities of summer camp on Thursday. The staff of young people, Lisa and God has put together are fantastic. Our children lvoe our youth leaders. Seeing the children run up to the leaders with big hugs and big smiles is a blessing. As the children arrive for camp, they go into the room and sit down at their tables. A prayer is said, Byron lines up the children and they walk quietly to get their meal prepared by Ms Abbie and Peaches First order of the day, every day is to the read the camp rules together, lead by Chuck. Then the fun begins. Crafts, games, puzzles, reading, learning taking place as the children move from activity to activity. A circle is formed as they depart for the day, with an ending prayer. I can only imagine what an impact this will have on their lives as they grow up. Please check our web site each day, as Princess posts various pictures and videos of the days events. Only two weeks left, come by for a visit and see for yourself what God is doing!

Thursday was an unusual day for myself and Lisa. We spent all day being interviewed and photograph as the Angel award folks from Baton Rouge were in town. They are making a video of our community for a presentation in October. Hopefully we will be able to get a copy of it and show it to all after they put it together. I struggled with my part, trying to tell folks what Common Ground is about. It is hard to explain God's lvoe to folks who have not experienced it. Hopefully they will be able to capture in pictures what we are about.

The rains came Thursday morning just as a youth group from First Methodist was finishing up their activities at the center. They spent all morning working in the garden with Rickey. Abbey has gone above and beyond her role this week, hosting a church from Baton Rouge, Monday - Wednesday. We did not have as many youth groups this summer come for a visit, just so happened they all came the same week!

The rain continued Thursday evening as our chapel and meal got under way. Lomax, Joey and mr brian shared a few words at chapel, with Ms Abbie and Pops supplying the music. Our meal was cooked by our resident chef TJ and his family, one of our best meals of pork loin, potatoes, green beans and banana bread. Groceries and our clothing room was full during the evening.

Following our meal, Lisa conducted our monthly Board meeting. We had election of officers. Report of finances, and discussion of various activities going on. We have had an unexpected donation of funds from one of our foundations. Our fundraiser event, has been put on hold, as we were reminded again God will provide.

Matt and his team are spending time at our new basket ball court across the street from the center on Saturday mornings. Many new faces are showing up to sample the ways of God through shooting hoops and playing together. Matt can always use help, come and enjoy all the fun.

Scott will be leading our Saturday visits to our outdoor friends from the center. He would lvoe to have your company. This Saturday he will be taking a group from Brookwood Baptist.

Lisa shared various policy forms with the Board. Some that are already in place, others in the planning stage.We take for granted sometimes the grace we have been privileged to have.

Carl, shared, one new activity we will be starting this school year,  a new reading program called L.I.T. There is a link on our web site for more information. In the coming weeks, you will be seeing more information about the times, how to sign up, and what will be going on. This program was tried at another poor performing school last year and the results more than exceeded the expectations. Please consider helping out, this will be a great opportunity to help our young children get a much needed boost in their education.

The Board will be having our annual strategic planning meeting the end of September. If there is something on your heart, you feel like Common Ground needs to be doing, please let Lisa know.

Please add my son's wife's family in your prayers this week. Our daughter-in-law, Jennifer. Her mom, possible heart attack, fell and hit her head on their coffee table. Her husband found her unresponsive. Tried to revive her, called 911, got her to the hospital, but the doctors were unable to revive her. All of this happened Thursday morning. Keep in your prayers John Sacker, long time friend of our community. John's church, Calvery Pentecostal, lost their pastor this week. They were at the center not too long ago with their pastor. I remember he always had a smile on his face and was always supportive of us. He will be missed.

This week in mens Bible fellowship, we read from 1 John chapter 1. In verse 7, but if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another . . . I was reminded of this  last week when I showed up for chapel, all the folks in our community coming up to me and saying, mr brian sure good to see you. We've missed you. How's your wife. We've been praying for her. As I was putting up the sound equipment, our community standing in line to get their groceries, hollered over to me, we're praying for your wife, mr brian. The young men coming up to me on Tuesday evening, asking about my wife and me, giving me a hand shake and hug. My heart is overwhelmed with gratitude and emotion, reminding me if we walk in the light of Christ, we will be surrounded with family and friends concerned for you. I was reminded we have more in common than we are different. When we are hurting, we all hurt. When we celebrate, we all can rejoice. Words can not express the sincere appreciation I have for each one of you and for our community. What a privilege it is to be a part of such special people. Amen.

Hope your week will be a good one. See you around the center.