Be strong and courageous!

How was your week? God is good! What beautiful weather we have experienced in our part of the world.

We had a great Saturday as we got our week started. Scott and Phil visited our friends living outside. Everything went well, no major drama. Momma T and Alan worked in the garden. Ardis and her crew wrapped the breads. 

Some of us had the opportunity to go with our boy's basketball team to Centenary for a visit with the men's basketball team. The boys watched the team practice, then had the opportunity to shoot some hoops with the team. Then coach Adam took them on a tour of the Gold Dome. Coach Adam talked to the them about what it takes to be a good team player, starting with education and a good attitude. Then the boys made their way into the locker room asking the team questions about what is expected of them in the classroom and as a player on the team. Thanks to Abbey for setting it up. Lots of pictures about the trip on our Facebook page.

Afternoon activities continued with our reading programs and homework assistance. Wonderful to see the children each day.

Tuesday evening, Rickie led the men's Bible fellowship reading from Joshua 1: 1-9 and Hebrews 13:8. Joshua took over for Moses, leading the Israelites into the promised land. Do we lead when God tells us to or do we ignore His signs?

Thursday was our fun night of the year. Abbey and Vicky did a great job of organizing the party for our Fall festival. Lisa has already posted pictures of the evening. Great to see so many of our community come out and enjoy all the fun and food. Great to see our friends from Centenary share their love with our children of the community. This year, we had our parking lot full of cars as the community got to treat in the trunks of our Centenary students' cars. A great evening.

Prayers continue for my wife. Wednesday was her first day in 7 weeks with no pain. Thursday she had pain, but at least she had one day, hopefully more to come. Pray for God's direction for us as we begin to move forward.

Thinking about our discussions about Joshua, a man who allowed God to work in and through him as he led his people into uncharted waters. Joshua did not hesitate, because he knew God was with him. In verse 5, God says to Joshua, . . . As I was with Moses, so I will be with you; I will never leave you or forsake you.

Common Ground is at the beginning of a new chapter in our journey. We have been presented with several unique opportunities, wondering which way to go. All of our dreams are unique, special, and deserving of considerations, but what do we do?

Changing the way we do things on Thursday night? Working on the 2 story in preparation of new ministries? Become more structured about the education of our children? All good dreams, all good for our community, all needed to help stop the cycle of poverty. So what do we do? 

God told Joshua, be strong and very courageous. Not once but 3 times in next few verses! Be strong and courageous, keep the Law on your lips; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful. No better instructions for us. We need to stay centered in God's Word. We need to be focused on God's Word. We need to prayerfully consider God's Word in our journey.

And in verse 9 . . . be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord you God will be with you wherever you go. With the Lord on our side, we will not fail. Nothing is too big for our God. The One who created the universe, can show us the way He wants us to go and find ways to make it happen.

As we move forward, we will not have all the answers. God does not work that way! We need to move forward, knowing God is in charge. He will make things happen the way and timing He wants them to happen. Our tasks will be to be faithful, obedient, patient and to be strong and courageous! Amen!

Hope your weekend and the coming week will be filled with joy and many blessings. God is good. May we be strong and courageous in our walk with the Lord!

Where are we going?

What great weather we have had this week! Cool mornings, mild afternoons, no humidity, I could get use to this! Thank you God for such an amazing season!

This note will be brief! as many of you say yeaaa!

A very big thank you goes out to Matt,Vicky and Tim as they took a huge group of children to family day with Sonatra. Vicky and Tim said their time with Sonatra was outstanding. Tim made the comment, when you have a picture of a person on how they use to look and then see them a few months later all clean, dressed different, you almost don't recognize them, that is what he felt with Sonatra. Vicky talked about how well he is doing in his classes, taking college courses, getting his driving license, becoming a young man who anybody would be proud to know. As a community we need to continue to be there for Sonatra when his time ends at his school and he comes home. Thank you, thank you, thank you Matt, Vicky and Tim.

Scott brought Jerry and Joey to the center to wash clothes, so his visits were short Saturday morning. Turner got his first box of MRE's to become our official taste tester! 

Monday and Wednesday our afternoon reading program continues. One of the children was suppose to stay at school Wednesday, but he has so much fun with us, he did not stay behind. His dad had to come to us to pick him up! Speaks volumes to the lvoe these young people are receiving from all of you.

Tuesday evening, Rickie led the community men's Bible fellowship reading from Psalm 127: 4. Like arrows in the hands of a warrior are children born in one's youth. The question was asked, How do we dwell in His house or feel His daily presence? We must be like a baby, crying for attention, helpless, humbling ourselves before the Lord.

Alan and Peaches spent several days cleaning out the Bright House. Momma T and I walked through Tuesday afternoon and the place doesn't look the same. Great job. There is a water leak in the bathroom we will need to take care of and we will do some modifications to that room when we do. 

Thursday brought lots of folks and lots of fun. We had our medical van there from St Luke's. Brother Chester brought the Word. Ms Abbie and Pops shared their gifts of song. A good meal and lots of groceries were handed out. Our clothing room has been rearranged by some new friends and they were there to help our community walk through. Thank you all for being so faithful.

Took my wife to her 6 week check up Thursday. She described to the doctor her struggles, he then examined her and said, wow everything looks good, maybe some miracle is happening! When Ginellen walked into the waiting room, I could see a new look on her face! Couldn't wait to get to chapel and tell everybody about that statement. I did and they all clapped! Please continue your prayers, she has a long way to go. God is good.

Most of our week was taken up by our travels to Baton Rouge to accept the Angel Award. Lisa, her husband Mark, Ms Abbie, Momma T, my brother and sister from Lake Charles, Krysten, Lomax and Stephannie joined us for the festivities. Many of you have already gone to our Facebook page to see Lisa's pictures, We will have more to put up in the coming days. Please check back.

The Blue Cross Blue Shield folks have been honoring non profits for 20 years now and know how to put on a banquet! All the media, the atmosphere, the decorations were all there for the recipients and their organizations.

Tuesday morning, we visited with Juan's past church in Baton Rouge, St John's Methodist. They run a food pantry on a larger scale than we do. We spent an hour there, talking, listening, dreaming.

In a "coincidence" as Momma T would not say!  Momma T, Ms Abbie and I visited one of the Angel Award recipients. This lady has started a school for her children she use to tutor in the afternoons. Her story about her journey sounded very similar to ours!

As we drove home Tuesday afternoon, we talked about what God is up to for our community?! My head is spinning with ideas, dreams and anticipation of what is about to happen to us. Receiving an award and receiving the grant was nice, but more importantly, Common Ground is now known across the state. I can't tell you how many folks came up to us and said, what a great job ya'll are doing. With exposure like this, God will use it to build His Kingdom.

Early next year we have the opportunity to again be a part of something special. Blue Cross Blue Shield is offering $1 million dollars to just the Angel Award recipients. We will be in the pool with 160 other groups with the possibility of receiving $50000. Wonder what God can do with that?!

Lisa will hate me for saying this, please bombard her with your thoughts and dreams of how God can use us to help our children of the community in the coming months and years.

God is bringing together, churches, organizations, people, contacts, for what?! Something amazing, something we can be proud of, something that will glorify God, something we have no clue about, something that will blow our minds, how exciting is that!

Please pray, please listen to that small, quiet voice, please share. Amen and Amen!

Have a great weekend and a great week.

Where is Jesus?

What's uuup! How was your week? It's the weekend, enjoy!

For the first time in a long time, the heavens opened up on a Saturday and it was wet, really wet! One of the camps called us to tell Scott we will meet you at a concrete parking lot! Scott said, at least they knew we were coming! We made a decision Saturday morning to hire Turner to be our test tester for our MRE's! We asked Turner, if we bring you a case, would you take it and tell us which ones are good and those that are really good! He said yes, he would do it. Our basketball time was rained out, but fun and games were happening inside the center. Matt, Vicky, Ardis were busy wrapping bread, playing games, putting on a play with the children. Looked like everybody was having a good time.

Our reading afternoons continued with our new children and our homework sessions on Tuesday was happening as well. Good times.

Wednesday afternoon, I had the opportunity to visit with our intern's leader at Centenary's Christian Leadership Center. She tries to place young people who want to go into ministry into churches and organizations. One of her favorite places to put her young leaders is Common Ground!

Tuesday evening, another big group of men gathered to listen to the hearts of others. Matt read from John 14: 1-14. The title of this chapter, Jesus comforts his disciples. We can say the same, read it, Jesus will comfort you!

Thursday was another full afternoon. With our fall weather still with us, we gathered in the chapel. One of my favorite places at the center, just feels right to be in there worshiping God through song and words. Spencer and Abbie shared their gifts of music, Brother George shared the Word. Brother George's church brought dinner, served and helped clean up to a big crowd. People were everywhere, having a good time. Thanks to all for sharing your gifts of servant hood.

Continue to lift up Ginellen. She continues with her very slow recovery from her surgery. Still in lots of pain. Doctor visit next week, hoping to find out what's next for her. Prayers for Matt's mom. She took ill Thursday. Let us know Matt how she is doing. 

Don't forget, this Saturday is Sonatra's Family Day. Matt will be leaving the center around 9 am. If you can't go that early, the festivities go on until 4, so please try to make it if at all possible. Matt and Vicky will be grilling hot dogs around noon. The address is: Youth Challenge Program at Camp Minden (9649 HWY 80, Minden, LA).

Did everybody get Joey's second newsletter? If not please send your email address to Joey: Joeyutley@hotmail.com, He is doing good. Sure like to see his picture. I asked him, when he can, to send us more pictures. 

Some of us will be heading down to Baton Rouge for the Angel Award Banquet Monday. Please keep us in your prayers for safe travel.

Reflecting back on our discussions Tuesday night, you want to know Jesus, then let go. Let go of your pride, your egos, your stubbornness, your thoughts, allowing Jesus to come into your heart, into your soul.

One of Jesus' disciples asked, Lord, show us the Father? They had been with Jesus for almost 3 years, seen His miracles, ate with Him, walked with Him, heard His teachings, and still they asked, show us the Father.

We go to church on the weekends, we take Bible classes during the week, we listen to sermons, we read books about Jesus, and we still ask, where do I find Jesus?

Jesus tells His disciples, don't you believe that I am the Father and the Father is in me. Rather it is the Father living in me, who is doing his work. Jesus knew where His strength came from. It was not about Him but about His Father.

Jesus allowed His Father to enter His heart. We need to do the same. We can't know Jesus until we do. We can know about Jesus, we can read about Jesus, we can study about Jesus, but we won't "know" Jesus until we let Him into our hearts.

Verse 12, whoever believes in me will do the works I have been doing, and they will do even greater things than these. When we allow Jesus to come into our hearts, we will do the works of Jesus. Our works will be about Jesus not about us. Our works will be even greater than what Jesus did! Can you imagine, maybe we can't, but as we move forward in our journeys, as we continue to align our ways with God's ways, the endless possibilities we will experience. 

Common Ground continues to be a place where people come to serve and be served. We are finding out that those who come to serve are being served in ways they did not imagine. Common Ground continues to be a place where others who are looking for Jesus, seem to find Him. Not through what we do, but through the people they come in contact with. Exciting times are a head of us. More challenges, more blessings, more lvoe, more Jesus than we can ever know. Join us. Don' t let this opportunity to "know" Jesus pass you by! Amen

Have a great week. This week, allow the Father that was in Jesus, to come into your soul and into your heart!

Our mission

Another week has come to a close. What a week. Hope you had a great one. Life is good!

Saturday was full of fun. Scott led the way to our camps. Turner comes prepared for battle! or goods I should say. Like Scott has said before, with Turner taking all he can carry, there must not be anybody else visiting him. No way can we stay away! Being the first of the month, some of our camps were empty!

Matt, Vicky and Tim keep busy with the basketball games and cooking. Tim took some of the girls around the neighborhood picking up trash and handing out flyers. Momma T worked in the garden. Ardis wrapped her bread. Joey cleaned house. Lots going on.

Monday and Wednesdays keeps us busy helping our new children learn to read. Four rooms are used to divide the children into different groups to get the most out of our time with them. We have lots of good help, but always can use more. Come and join us, 3-5.

Tuesday afternoons, Lauren and her crew help our neighborhood children with their homework. This Tuesday, with the nicer temperatures, found them in the garden, using the tables to get their work done.

Tuesday evening, the men's Bible fellowship group hosted National Night Out. There was a good crowd on hand to enjoy the hot dogs, chips, mac and cheesei, beans, cake and cookies. Good to meet new neighbors.

As we were sitting down for our night out meal, Lomax arrived, with his grandmother as they loaded up her car to take Joey to Dallas to leave on his mission trip.It won't be the same without his smiling face, his big laugh and warm hugs. I miss him already. Joey has created a newsletter for us to keep track of his travels. His first newsletter is the attachment with this note. If you want to get a copy of the newsletter as Joey gets them done, please send your email to: joeyutley@hotmail.com.

Rickie led the Bible discussions as he read from Proverbs 18 verse 21, death and life are in the power of the tongue; and they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof. Putting in "tongue" in the search section of my Bible app, over 40 verses came up! The tongue is a powerful tool. It can be used both for good and evil. Evil produces fruit you don't want to pick from. Let our tongues be for good, building up our brothers and sisters.

Thursdays chapel was not as planned but as always God works it out. Spencer was there to support Willie as he was to sing and preach. Unfortunately, his wife got sick and could not come, so we all became the choir and Noel shared a few words! God is good. We had some good help from the nurses from Northwestern to help serve and clean up. Groceries were handed out. Clothes were distributed. A good evening, not as planned but always good.

Continued prayers for my wife Ginellen. She is in her 4th week of recovery and still not much relief from the pain. Continued prayer for healing and for sanity as she endures this ordeal. Ms Abbie was back with us Thursday. Good to see her recovering from her surgery. William was with us Tuesday evening. He is in a wheel chair. Continue to lift him up. Pete Bollinger was visiting Thursday evening. He is a long time friend, being away from us for the last several years, due to the illness of his wife Cari. Lift up Cari as she continues her fight against cancer.

For those of you in the Shreveport area, please make plans to visit Grace during one of their services. Lisa is being interviewed by Pastor Juan, as Grace begins to build upon the relationship between Grace and Common Ground. She could use your smiling face to calm her nerves!

A note from Matt follows concerning next Saturday's visit with Sonatra. Please make every effort to be there, it will mean the world to Sonatra.

"Family Day for the Youth Challenge Program at Camp Minden (9649 HWY 80, Minden, LA) will be Saturday Oct 18th. The event is scheduled from 10 am to 4:30 pm., so anyone can come and visit between those hours. Everyone is encouraged to bring lawn chairs and if you want to have lunch with us, bring a picnic lunch.

 

I received a call from Sonatra's counselor yesterday. She felt compelled to call, out of concern that Sonatra was seemingly the only cadet on the base that did not have family and that no one would show up for him on Family Day. I assured her that he has plenty of family and that he will feel loved and valued on family day. She continued to tell me that Sonatra has done an amazing job while at camp and that he is one of only a couple of African American cadets on base taking college prep classes.

 

If you want to see the Cadets march, you might want to arrive by 10:30 am, but I know that Sonatra would love to see anyone at anytime during the day. Just drop Sonatra's name at the gate and you will be allowed to enter the base. They will give you instructions on where to park. The activities will be around the open air pavilion which is easy to pick out when you drive in. You don't need to bring anything for Sonatra because cadets aren't allowed to keep anything that comes in from the outside.

 

If you do plan to come early and can take passengers with you, please let me know (Matt Whitehead 318 510 7995) as there might be some who wish to go but have no means of transportation. We can meet at Common Ground at 9 am and 'caravan' from there.

 

 

So pencil in this date and let's show our cadet support and encourage him on Family Day! See you there!"

There was a letter in the newspaper this week from a former employee of a non profit, who was discouraged in the direction the Board was taking. The Board voted to close it's original mission ministry after 44 years of service to the community. A ministry that the non profit was founded on, now shut down, going in a different way.

Scott, Phil and I have witnessed the same with our outdoor friends. Churches, just 2 or 3 years ago, visiting our friends, bringing love, food and clothing, no longer come. For whatever reason, their mission has changed or maybe lost it's way.

Almost 20 years ago, when we first started coming to our Cedar Grove community, we began to see and hear about living in poverty. Some of us had never been or knew a part of our society could exist like this. We began to experience the hunger, so we fed. We saw the tattered clothing, so we gave what we had. We saw the deplorable living conditions, so we fixed up homes. We experienced the poor health, so we tried to get them to the doctors. We went to the prisons and visited our neighbors. For those who had no place to go, we took them into our homes.

We had no mission statement. We had no vision. We had no Board. We just reacted to what we saw everyday. We have always tried to stay true to Matthew 25 , 35 - 36: For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.

Like a lot of family businesses, when the owner dies or leaves the business, the company closes it's doors. Why, because there is no one to take over or the vision is lost. The same is true with non profits. When those who started the non profit leaves, or others come in, sometimes the vision is lost and the non profit begins to flounder.

As Common Ground begins to move forward with new ideas, new servants, new energy, let's not loose our reason for being apart of the community. We have been blessed all these years, because we continue to stay in the will of God. We need to be able to explain why we do what we do. We need to listen to others, but always stay true to Jesus. We need welcome others in with open arms but maintain a foundation of lvoing others as God lvoes us.

Exciting times are ahead for our community. There will be challenges and obstacles but nothing God can't handle. We are in for a wild ride, one you don't want to miss! Amen!

Have a great week. Spend lot's of time with your friends and family. Tell them you lvoe them, give them a hug. Amen.

Have faith in God

Our summer weather just won't give in. This weekend is suppose to be nice in our part of the country. Hopefully you all have experienced the fall weather and temperatures.

With most of us at our Board retreat Saturday, not much else was going on. Scott made the visits as usual. I got a call from one of the guys who has just moved inside. They called to ask us if we would meet them back at their old camp. I thought the worse and asked why? He said, some friends were passing through and they wanted to be with them while they were in town. Isn't that nice?! Each camp always ask about my wife and how she is doing. When we pray, they always say a prayer for my wife. I am humbled by their hearts. People who have no material possessions, are treated with very little respect by society, prays for my wife!

Monday and Wednesdays are becoming a special time as we get to know our new children. We have a big yellow school bus that drops them off at 3 and picks them back up at 5. Monday as we were standing outside watching the bus pull away, the children waved to us all! We have lots of help, but could always use more. Join us for some great learning experiences.

Lauren and Chanel met with the young ladies Monday afternoon as they begin their journeys together into life and community. They are about to begin a journey that will change the way our young ladies look at their lives and what will be expected of them as they grow up. Please pray for this group as the Spirit of God will need to present to help in this journey.

Tuesday evening men's Bible fellowship was led by Pastor Albert. He read from Mark chapter 11: 22-25. We need our chapel back, the room is getting too small for the group! We talked about forgiveness, faith, and prayers. All important in our walks.

Unfortunately I was unable to be at our meal Thursday, so others will have to let us know what happened. Our young friends from First Methodist will be playing for the last time for awhile. Heather is about to give birth to their first child. In fact, next month the first Thursday of November, their time with us, is their due date. I asked Heather, to bring her over night bag, sing for us and then go to the hospital! I don't think they liked that idea!

Prayers for my wife, Ginellen. We knew her surgery was complicated but had no idea what all was involved. She was experiencing some unusual pain and discomfort so she called her doctor Thursday afternoon. The doctor said to bear with the healing process and things would get better! He might have to do another smaller procedure down the road, but nothing can be done at this point. Prayers for Joey as he will be leaving us next week. What a leap of faith Joey is taking as he feels the calling of God to go back to the Philippines and share God's lvoe with others. Prayers for God's direction in our community. We have lots of challenges and blessings ahead, may we be worthy of them all as we follow the will of God.

Next Tuesday evening, the Community Men's Bible Fellowship will be hosting National Night Out. One of our men of the community wanted to do it, which is awesome. His wife will walk the neighborhood and hand out flyers on Saturday.Very cool. Neighbors taking pride in the neighborhood!

The Board met last Saturday and talked, laughed, cried, and dreamed about the future of Common Ground. Lisa had a hand out of everything God has done through us this past year. 7500 meals, handed out 4000 grocery bags, touching over 1200 people's lives! Folks, that is amazing! With just a handful of servants, God is busy in our community! Lisa will supply us with the meat and potatoes of our time together, vision, mission statement, core beliefs.

The highlight of the day for me, was hearing  from everybody "why" do we do what we do? Some of the comments were, blessings we receive, teaches obedience, building relationships, family, giving back, asked by others, reconciliation, encouraging, providing opportunities, a different place. All meaningful and uplifting to see and hear from the hearts of our leaders.

In Mark 11 chapter 11, verse 22, Jesus tells his disciples, Have faith in God. Then Jesus talks about talking to the mountain to move into the sea or to ask God in prayer and believe you have received it and go to God in prayer to forgive.

Don't know what mountains you have before you, but have faith God will move them for you. How many times do we go to God asking for help and then go about our business, not waiting for God to help us out. Have faith. Faith doesn't happen over night, it takes time. Our mountain before us, didn't happen over night, usually it took us time to get in the predicament we are in. Have faith God will deliver us.

Verse 25 God will help us to forgive those who have wronged us. It is not in our nature to forgive and forget. It is in God's. It is our job to go to God and ask Him to give us the strength to forgive. The greatest release of anger I have ever experienced, was to go to God in prayer and start praying for my enemy. When we hold on to that anger, lvoe has a hard time finding a spot in our hearts.

Jesus saying, Have faith in God. Jesus knew where his strength came from do we? Jesus went to God when he needed to feed 5000, when he needed to heal, when he needed to teach, when he needed to die. Have faith in God. Have faith God will bring us through our storms. He will if we let Him.

As we begin to talk about our directions for Common Ground, we need to have faith in God. It is all about God, not about us. This is God's Kingdom, not ours. It is not about us asking God for directions we want to go, it is about us following God's directions, leading us to places we have never dreamed of! May we have that kind of faith that will believe our mountains will move into to the sea! Amen!

Get ready for the cooler weather, the fall colors and the many blessings God has for you. What a special week ahead!