Very late in getting this note off. We again are having to watch our grandchildren in Dallas! Sacrifices grand parents are forced to do! Hope everybody had a great week and staying dry! In this part of the world, seems like the rain does not want to stop.
With being out of the town last weekend and this weekend, not much to report. Scott said, Robert was feeling no pain last Saturday. Sad to hear because he has been doing so well. Robert did say, in two weeks he should be "inside". Let's pray that happens.
What a treat to see every Tuesday evening, as you turn into to the campus, seeing the basketball court full of boys enjoying themselves with Matt and Vikki over seeing the activities. Lives are being transformed before our very eyes.
Tuesday evening, the men met for Bible fellowship, exploring ways to love. We read from 1 Corinthians chapter 13 1 - 13, the love chapter. Talking about love being indispensable. Being the strange person I am, reading the chapter seeing love talked about, I said, I wish the Bible folks would spell love correctly! It is not our love that is indispensable but God's "lvoe"!
Shawanda Jackson, Willie's wife asked for prayers for God's direction for a women's Bible study. Prayers for our summer camp, happening just around the corner. Prayers for Lauren as she starts a new chapter in her life, with her upcoming wedding.
All hands on deck for next weekend as we have a returning youth group joining us. Our friends from Lake Charles, Luke Simpson will be arriving Thursday afternoon. This maybe their third trip with us. They will bring lots of energy and enthusiasm for the Lord. Come and meet them and enjoy their time with us.
Paul shares with us, if you do not have love in everything you do, I am nothing, everything! Not the things we enjoy doing, but the things that maybe don't give us much joy in doing.
As verse 4 says, love is patient, love is kind, does not envy, does not boast, is not proud. All things we are not! We can't dishonor others, be self seeking, slow to anger if we have to depend on ourselves to do it!
Only through the Holy Spirit can we provide lvoe that does not delight in evil, but rejoices in the truth. In a lvoe that will always protect, always trusts, always hopes and always perseveres.
In our community, you can see God's lvoe in everything we do through all of you. God's lvoe is why our community exists. One of our youth groups from south Louisiana told me last year, we have taken what we experienced at Common Ground and shared it with our church, even going to the extreme by painting "lvoe" all over their classrooms!
The "lvoe" chapter concludes with verse 13, And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love. We exist for God's lvoe to drown out the darkness of our community. Faith is important. Hope is something we can provide. But God's lvoe will change hearts and change our community for years to come. Amen.
In the coming week, may we share God's lvoe in all aspects of our lives, in everything we do, to everybody we meet, realizing we will gain everything in God's Kingdom!
Friday, May 29, 2015
Friday, May 22, 2015
Getting away
Another fun filled week of God's blessings. Hope your week was just as exciting.
Saturday, Scott and Dawn visited the camps. Robert swears he has new camp visitors. Some monkeys! Of course Robert was feeling no pain when he said that! He is trying to get some pictures! At another camp, Scott and Dawn were introduced to a new visitor, Ocean! What a cool name! Bread, basketball and garden work were busy in and around the center.
With school just about out, there were no activities around the center. Not sure I like this time of year, miss the children and the energy they bring.
Joey led prayer each morning at the Bright House.
Tuesday evening, the men gathered, a big circle of guys enjoying what Jesus has done in their lives. Rickie read from Psalms 55 1 - 6 and verse 22. David talking about all the stuff he was having to deal with and wanting to take flight to get away from the madness. Don't we feel like doing that sometimes?
Thursday was filled with song, words and food. Spencer and Brother George led chapel. A buffet of food was given away. The market was busy all night long. The clothing closet was full of shoppers. The basketball team helped clean up. A good night of fun and fellowship.
Prayers for Ardis' grandson. Doctors are trying to determine what course of actions to take for him. Prayers for our community. Prayers for summer camp. Prayers for those who are traveling this weekend. Prayers for Ms Abbie recovering from cataract surgery. Prayers the rain stops and the banks of the rivers and bayous don't over flow.
Prayers for Byron. He is leaving us. He wants to start a new life with his new family and moving to Houston. We have been through a lot with Byron. From one extreme to another, but in the end, with the help and support of all of you, he has become a man of God. Let's hope he will be able to find a community of support in Houston, but if not, he knows he will always have our lvoe and support here.
Psalm 55 starts off by King David saying, listen to my prayer, O God, . . . verse 2, My thoughts trouble me and I am distraught . . David knew where to turn to in his times of trouble. Do we? Verse 5 Fear and trembling have beset me . . , oh my, have we been there?
In verse 6, David says, if only I had wings like a dove, I would fly away . . . Don't we say, if only I could get away, things would be different. How many times during Jesus' ministry, did he say, we need to get away to quiet place and go to my father.
Life is hard. We live in a world full of conflict, trouble and confusion. If we let it, a lot of the world will rule our lives. We will get caught up in the challenges and the obstacles the world brings and turmoil will become the norm in our lives.
We need to do what David learned in verse 22, Cast your cares on the Lord and he will sustain you; he will never let the righteous be shaken. No matter how small or how large our troubles get, God is there for us. He will always be there for us. We need to turn to him. Let Him be our comfort. Amen.
Hope this next week, as we face life together, we will be able to turn things over to Jesus. He is there for us, if we only let go! Have a great week, God is good!
Saturday, Scott and Dawn visited the camps. Robert swears he has new camp visitors. Some monkeys! Of course Robert was feeling no pain when he said that! He is trying to get some pictures! At another camp, Scott and Dawn were introduced to a new visitor, Ocean! What a cool name! Bread, basketball and garden work were busy in and around the center.
With school just about out, there were no activities around the center. Not sure I like this time of year, miss the children and the energy they bring.
Joey led prayer each morning at the Bright House.
Tuesday evening, the men gathered, a big circle of guys enjoying what Jesus has done in their lives. Rickie read from Psalms 55 1 - 6 and verse 22. David talking about all the stuff he was having to deal with and wanting to take flight to get away from the madness. Don't we feel like doing that sometimes?
Thursday was filled with song, words and food. Spencer and Brother George led chapel. A buffet of food was given away. The market was busy all night long. The clothing closet was full of shoppers. The basketball team helped clean up. A good night of fun and fellowship.
Prayers for Ardis' grandson. Doctors are trying to determine what course of actions to take for him. Prayers for our community. Prayers for summer camp. Prayers for those who are traveling this weekend. Prayers for Ms Abbie recovering from cataract surgery. Prayers the rain stops and the banks of the rivers and bayous don't over flow.
Prayers for Byron. He is leaving us. He wants to start a new life with his new family and moving to Houston. We have been through a lot with Byron. From one extreme to another, but in the end, with the help and support of all of you, he has become a man of God. Let's hope he will be able to find a community of support in Houston, but if not, he knows he will always have our lvoe and support here.
Psalm 55 starts off by King David saying, listen to my prayer, O God, . . . verse 2, My thoughts trouble me and I am distraught . . David knew where to turn to in his times of trouble. Do we? Verse 5 Fear and trembling have beset me . . , oh my, have we been there?
In verse 6, David says, if only I had wings like a dove, I would fly away . . . Don't we say, if only I could get away, things would be different. How many times during Jesus' ministry, did he say, we need to get away to quiet place and go to my father.
Life is hard. We live in a world full of conflict, trouble and confusion. If we let it, a lot of the world will rule our lives. We will get caught up in the challenges and the obstacles the world brings and turmoil will become the norm in our lives.
We need to do what David learned in verse 22, Cast your cares on the Lord and he will sustain you; he will never let the righteous be shaken. No matter how small or how large our troubles get, God is there for us. He will always be there for us. We need to turn to him. Let Him be our comfort. Amen.
Hope this next week, as we face life together, we will be able to turn things over to Jesus. He is there for us, if we only let go! Have a great week, God is good!
Thursday, May 14, 2015
fruits
Another week is in the books! Time is flying by! How was your week? When were you closes to God?
Saturday was filled with excitement! Scott and Dawn visited our friends, finding everybody doing well. Ardis and Heidi wrapped bread. Matt and Vicki mentored the team. We worked most of the day to get the Bright House move in ready for Joey.
Monday we had our year end party for our learning program children. In some of the children, you can see real progress. Wish we had them all year long! Pizza, games, and fun activities were big hits with the children. Hopefully we will be hosting them again this fall. Put on your calendars to join us.
Monday, we had our Joey move back into "his" house! So nice to have him back, sitting on the porch, praying for us all. It's been too long!
Tuesday evening, the men gathered for Bible fellowship reading from Galatians 5: 16 - 26, talking about the flesh and the Spirit. Do we walk by the flesh or by the Spirit?
Thursday evening, chapel was led by Ms Abbie and the choir, singing praises of lvoe and Willie shared the Good News. A delicious meal, a full Market, lots of clothes was enjoyed by all.
Prayers for Lisa and her husband Mark, in the loss of his sister. Prayers for our upcoming Summer Camp. Prayers for those traveling over the weekend. Prayers for our community children. They fight for everything they get, sad to live that way.
Walking by the Spirit versus the flesh. When I was not of God, I could indentify with the characteristics of the flesh. When I found God, the fruits of the Spirit began to take over. Enjoying the fruits of the Spirit are so awesome, you wonder why more do not turn their lives over to God?
Simply going to church will not give you the fruits of the Spirit. It is not your inner self creating the fruits. It is the Spirit of God creating the fruits within you. We need to let go of our egos and pride and let God into our lives, allowing the fruits of lvoe, peace and joy to take over. Amen
Hope you have a great week. May our Spirits rise up to produce, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control!
Saturday was filled with excitement! Scott and Dawn visited our friends, finding everybody doing well. Ardis and Heidi wrapped bread. Matt and Vicki mentored the team. We worked most of the day to get the Bright House move in ready for Joey.
Monday we had our year end party for our learning program children. In some of the children, you can see real progress. Wish we had them all year long! Pizza, games, and fun activities were big hits with the children. Hopefully we will be hosting them again this fall. Put on your calendars to join us.
Monday, we had our Joey move back into "his" house! So nice to have him back, sitting on the porch, praying for us all. It's been too long!
Tuesday evening, the men gathered for Bible fellowship reading from Galatians 5: 16 - 26, talking about the flesh and the Spirit. Do we walk by the flesh or by the Spirit?
Thursday evening, chapel was led by Ms Abbie and the choir, singing praises of lvoe and Willie shared the Good News. A delicious meal, a full Market, lots of clothes was enjoyed by all.
Prayers for Lisa and her husband Mark, in the loss of his sister. Prayers for our upcoming Summer Camp. Prayers for those traveling over the weekend. Prayers for our community children. They fight for everything they get, sad to live that way.
Walking by the Spirit versus the flesh. When I was not of God, I could indentify with the characteristics of the flesh. When I found God, the fruits of the Spirit began to take over. Enjoying the fruits of the Spirit are so awesome, you wonder why more do not turn their lives over to God?
Simply going to church will not give you the fruits of the Spirit. It is not your inner self creating the fruits. It is the Spirit of God creating the fruits within you. We need to let go of our egos and pride and let God into our lives, allowing the fruits of lvoe, peace and joy to take over. Amen
Hope you have a great week. May our Spirits rise up to produce, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control!
Friday, May 8, 2015
Contentment
Another week is in the books! Not sure where the time goes?! Hope your week was full of God's mysteries and blessings!?
Being out of town last weekend, missed our Saturday activities. Scott and Dr Phil visited the camps finding everybody doing well. Basketball action continued, as well as the garden work. Bread was wrapped. Bright House continues to be improved.
Monday and Wednesday was our last full week of our learning program. Monday we will have our end of the year party with our children. It has been a great year, meeting our new children, with relationships being formed. Thanks to all our helpers, support team and prayers, it has been a great experience.
Tuesday evening, the men's Bible fellowship met reading from Philippians 4:13, I can do all this through him who gives me strength. Nothing to too great for God, if we just put our faith in Him! Will you?
Thursday evening got started off with a special chapel appearance. Our friend Derek and his friend Jonathan began chapel with inspiring songs. Then our Joey shared a few words of faith. Yes, Joey! Heees back!! Great to see Joey, great to get one of his famous hugs! Our basketball team helped in the kitchen, our market was well attended, clothing room was full of visitors. An inspiring evening.
Prayers for those who are traveling. Shannon, Vicki and their group returning from Detroit. Momma T as she visits Georgette. Prayers for our community. Prayers for upcoming summer camp. Prayers for God's direction in all our lives.
Summer camp is fast approaching.Lisa and Lauren have already been busy planning for the summer. We will have a full crew of college students to lead. Most of them will be living with us. What a joy to have our young leaders back and a part of our community. They bring such energy and lvoe to us all!
Want to say happy Mother's Day to all our mom's of our community. For the most part, it is our mom's who provide the patience, the support and the lvoe to our community. Without you, Common Ground would not exist. Thank you! All of you are very special people!
In Philippians 4 verse 11, Paul shares, . . I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. Verse 12, I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation . .
What is Paul telling us? Where does his contentment come from? We hear everyday, in order for you to feel contentment, you need a bigger house, more money, fancier clothes, a fast car. Where does it end? When does the contentment check in?
I worry sometimes, we do the same with our families. If we are not going to a soccer practice, ballet performance, band rehearsal, baseball game, swim meet we are not accomplishing anything? When do we have time to find our contentment?
Where do we find our contentment? Of course we all know, it comes from our relationship with Jesus. So, when do we find time to be with Him? Following chapel, after everybody had left, with all the noise outside, Joey and I closed the doors to the chapel and sat for awhile. Sometimes talking about Jesus, sometimes not talking at all, just being. It was nice.
We will never find contentment, if we do not take time for Jesus. We will always be searching, if we do not surrender ourselves to Him. How many times did Jesus in his ministry, tell his disciples, we need to take time for ourselves. Jesus would seek a quiet place and go to God. We need to do the same. Amen.
Have a great week. Hope you will find your contentment this week as you take a moment to find Jesus.
Friday, May 1, 2015
Faith and wisdom
What a beautiful sunrise this morning! Hope your week has been a good one. God is good!
What a way to start our week off by hosting one of our church families Saturday. Close to 60 members of Grace Community came and worked all day around the center. John Sauls and his committee did a great job of getting all the supplies, food and making arrangements. Our tables and chairs look brand new. New flowers are in our flower beds. Chapel is all clean. The garden is weed free and planted with new seeds and plants. The grass and weeds were mowed down. The Bright House continued to be finalized with trim and paint. The market was restocked. New relationships were formed. Our camps were visited. The basketball team practiced. The bread was wrapped. An amazing day.
Monday and Wednesday we hosted our children. We continue to work on their reading, learning each day. Just two more weeks left! Hard to believe.
Tuesday evening, Noel led the reading of the Word at our men's Bible fellowship. He read from Hebrews 11, talking about faith in action. The entire chapter is talking about God's faithful servants. Would your name be there if it were written today?
Thursday continues to be busy. Chapel is full. Communion was served. The Word was shared by Noel. Pops played the guitar. A good way to get started. We had a small group from Grace helping us serve and clean up. Shannon reported 92 families went through the market. Clothing room was busy. A blessed evening.
Lisa held our monthly Board meeting following our Thursday activities. Lots going on. We have been asked to partner with Robinson Rescue in a new program called Pets for Life. They are going out into the neighborhood asking if our neigbors need help with their pets. A good way for us to connect with our neighbors. Starting Saturday May 16th, we will begin our first cooking class. Our friends from Catholic Services will send us their chef, teaching our community how to cook. Discussions about our 7th Summer Camp starting next month. A full camp of interns is expected with some returning interns and new friends joining us. Basketball activities is exploding with more and more boys wanting to join in on the fun. More and more requests continue to come our way asking us to be a part of new relationships.
Prayers for Shannon and Vicky as they will be leaving next week for Detroit visiting a community similar to us. Wonder what God will put before them in helping us along our journey? Prayers for a classmate of Allison's son at Benton High School. She had a blot clot to form in her young 17 year old body and passed way. Prayers for safe travel for the Hunters as they go to Dallas to visit with the grandchildren this weekend.Prayers for Ms Joyner, Ginellen's mom having surgery Monday. Prayers for Ardis's son. Continued prayers for the Board as they discern God's direction for our community.
Momma T shared with the Board God's wisdom for our lives. We read about faith being an important way for us to show God how much we lvoe Him. In Hebrews 11, we read about Abel, Enoch, Noah, Abraham, Jacob, Joseph, Moses, parting of the Red Sea, the walls of Jericho, Rahab, Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, David Samuel, the prophets and Sarah. God asked them to do things that were not easy to comprehend. To do things that were not in their comfort zone. Accept challenges that did not seem logical. To go beyond what was expected.
In Proverbs 3 verse 6 says, in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight. Wisdom comes not from us but from God. verse 7 says, Do not be wise in your own eyes.
Verse 9 says Honor the Lord with your wealth, with the first fruits of all your crops, then your barns will be filled to overflowing. The Board has challenges before them with a problem of overcrowding! We have more family wanting to be in community than we have space to put them. Several years ago, we had an abundance of space, not anymore! God has been glorified in our community, now we are experiencing overflowing fruits!
What is God asking of us, each one of us? Who is in charge? Verse 39 in Hebrews 11 says, these were all commended for their faith, yet none of them received what had been promised. God is asking us to step out in faith. God is asking us to move in ways that does not make sense. God is asking us to open our hearts in lvoe. God is asking us to hear His voice and have wisdom He will take care of the rest. We are not in control, God is. All of our challenges are overwhelming but not for God. Nothing, nothing is too small or too big for God. Pray, pray, pray. Listen, listen, listen. God will take care of rest! Amen!
Hope your week will be a blessing to you and those you meet. Move out in faith, having wisdom God will bless your path! What stories we will be able to share!
What a way to start our week off by hosting one of our church families Saturday. Close to 60 members of Grace Community came and worked all day around the center. John Sauls and his committee did a great job of getting all the supplies, food and making arrangements. Our tables and chairs look brand new. New flowers are in our flower beds. Chapel is all clean. The garden is weed free and planted with new seeds and plants. The grass and weeds were mowed down. The Bright House continued to be finalized with trim and paint. The market was restocked. New relationships were formed. Our camps were visited. The basketball team practiced. The bread was wrapped. An amazing day.
Monday and Wednesday we hosted our children. We continue to work on their reading, learning each day. Just two more weeks left! Hard to believe.
Tuesday evening, Noel led the reading of the Word at our men's Bible fellowship. He read from Hebrews 11, talking about faith in action. The entire chapter is talking about God's faithful servants. Would your name be there if it were written today?
Thursday continues to be busy. Chapel is full. Communion was served. The Word was shared by Noel. Pops played the guitar. A good way to get started. We had a small group from Grace helping us serve and clean up. Shannon reported 92 families went through the market. Clothing room was busy. A blessed evening.
Lisa held our monthly Board meeting following our Thursday activities. Lots going on. We have been asked to partner with Robinson Rescue in a new program called Pets for Life. They are going out into the neighborhood asking if our neigbors need help with their pets. A good way for us to connect with our neighbors. Starting Saturday May 16th, we will begin our first cooking class. Our friends from Catholic Services will send us their chef, teaching our community how to cook. Discussions about our 7th Summer Camp starting next month. A full camp of interns is expected with some returning interns and new friends joining us. Basketball activities is exploding with more and more boys wanting to join in on the fun. More and more requests continue to come our way asking us to be a part of new relationships.
Prayers for Shannon and Vicky as they will be leaving next week for Detroit visiting a community similar to us. Wonder what God will put before them in helping us along our journey? Prayers for a classmate of Allison's son at Benton High School. She had a blot clot to form in her young 17 year old body and passed way. Prayers for safe travel for the Hunters as they go to Dallas to visit with the grandchildren this weekend.Prayers for Ms Joyner, Ginellen's mom having surgery Monday. Prayers for Ardis's son. Continued prayers for the Board as they discern God's direction for our community.
Momma T shared with the Board God's wisdom for our lives. We read about faith being an important way for us to show God how much we lvoe Him. In Hebrews 11, we read about Abel, Enoch, Noah, Abraham, Jacob, Joseph, Moses, parting of the Red Sea, the walls of Jericho, Rahab, Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, David Samuel, the prophets and Sarah. God asked them to do things that were not easy to comprehend. To do things that were not in their comfort zone. Accept challenges that did not seem logical. To go beyond what was expected.
In Proverbs 3 verse 6 says, in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight. Wisdom comes not from us but from God. verse 7 says, Do not be wise in your own eyes.
Verse 9 says Honor the Lord with your wealth, with the first fruits of all your crops, then your barns will be filled to overflowing. The Board has challenges before them with a problem of overcrowding! We have more family wanting to be in community than we have space to put them. Several years ago, we had an abundance of space, not anymore! God has been glorified in our community, now we are experiencing overflowing fruits!
What is God asking of us, each one of us? Who is in charge? Verse 39 in Hebrews 11 says, these were all commended for their faith, yet none of them received what had been promised. God is asking us to step out in faith. God is asking us to move in ways that does not make sense. God is asking us to open our hearts in lvoe. God is asking us to hear His voice and have wisdom He will take care of the rest. We are not in control, God is. All of our challenges are overwhelming but not for God. Nothing, nothing is too small or too big for God. Pray, pray, pray. Listen, listen, listen. God will take care of rest! Amen!
Hope your week will be a blessing to you and those you meet. Move out in faith, having wisdom God will bless your path! What stories we will be able to share!
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