Why do you do it?

Here it is Friday! Another week is in the books. How was yours? Life is a blessing. God is good.

We had a local youth group from Bossier join us on our walks Saturday. Great to see young faces experience life in a different way, something most have never seen. The basketball team was busy practicing for games and spending time at the center.

We had an unusual week with our afternoon school children. Both of our bus drivers were out with illnesses and we were unable to get substitute drivers, so we had no children! Allison and Lisa worked with the school board to find different solutions, but unfortunately we were unable to find one. Hopefully this coming week will be better.

The men gathered Tuesday evening for their Bible fellowship. We were suppose to read Matthew 23, but a slip of tongue or maybe it was God, we read the 23rd Psalm. Vicki had just walked in to tell us of the passing of Matt's mom, God was at work on us and we read and talked about how God can comfort us during times of sadness.

Thursday was busy with Brother Chester and Spencer getting us started in chapel. Then we all gathered in the fellowship hall as we all got to catch beads from one of the local crewes marching around the hall. It was fun. A big crowd moved from the fellowship hall to the clothing room and into the Market. Everybody seem to have a good time.

Prayers this week for Matt's family as his family grieve the loss of their mother and come together to celebrate her life. Prayers for our Board. Please lift them up tomorrow as they come together under the direction of God to discern the direction of our community for the coming year and years to come. Prayers for relationships, that God is at the center of those relationships.

Church at Red River is having a work day, tomorrow. Bright House II is getting close to begin the painting of the walls and ceilings. They can always use your help and encouragement! A great group of servants will be there, come and join in on the fun.

Several weeks ago, Scott and I were asked by one of our camps, why do these young people want to come and visit with us? This was the first time we have been asked this in all these years. A good question, one we tried to share with our friends of how important they are to us and to others. It is hard for our outdoor friends to grasp, why folks would want to come and visit with them.

The same can be asked, why do we open our hearts and our doors to our neighborhood? Society has passed them by, why do we take time to get to know our neighbors like we do? It does not make sense. It is not logical. I guess it goes to the heart of what Common Ground is all about? It goes to why do you do what you do?

Have you ever had to explain to someone who has no clue what Common Ground is about, who we are and why we do it? Have you stood up in front of a group of people to tell folks what we do and why we do it? It is hard. 

Last week as we begin to share our story with the youth, you could see the blank look on their faces. They had no idea what we were talking about and what we were doing. Most of the world is worried about getting ahead, not about the common man. Unfortunately we are very selfish, caring about ourselves more than others. It seems we are more concerned about what happens in our own little world, not what happens to those who have to fight to survive in theirs.

Our missions statement starts off saying, following Jesus Christ's example. And I guess that is the best way to answer those questions of why. As I have said for years, it is not mr brian doing what he is doing it is Christ working inside of me doing it. mr brian would never ever go to a homeless camp, he would find excuses of not to help children who are hungry and feed them, he would not offer his jacket to someone who was in need of one, spending his time teaching children to read or write is not what he would be doing. 

None of what we all do makes any sense, but if you think about it, it makes complete sense, if you think along the terms of following Christ's example. Each one of you needs to search your heart and determine why do you do what you do. We can not do what we do by doing it ourselves. Trying to do it all, is overwhelming, it is too much. That is not what God is asking of us. He wants us to build a Kingdom that will last for years. for decades. A Kingdom that is founded in Christ will last forever! Amen.

Hope your week will be joyful, full of God's blessings everyday! God is good! 

Who's in charge?

Baby it's cold outside! I think winter has finally hit our part of the world! Hopefully your week was full of joy and peace.

We got to celebrate Saturday by starting off with our monthly breakfast meal. We had a good gathering of folks, Joey picked up William as we also got to celebrate his birthday, Lomax and Stephanie were passing through on their way to Texas and joined us. Joey did an outstanding job of cooking our bacon, eggs and biscuits. Put it on your calendars, 3rd Saturday of each month, join us at 8:30. Our  friends living outside were struggling to stay warm, or some of them were! The railroad folks have given Turner a wood burning stove and firewood to go in it. He has set it up right next to his cardboard house keeping the area nice, warm and toasty. Our other camps are not so well. Rain and wind makes life hard living outside, please keep our friends in your prayers. Bread was wrapped. Lunch was served to our basketball team. Fun times at the center.

Monday and Wednesdays continue to provide joy and blessings to us all. Lots of help allows us to have one on one with our children making for quality time in reading, not to mention, quality time in developing relationships.

Monday was a big day, as Abbey and her band of servants hosted a large group from Centenary. Lots was done in and around the center, as well as continuing to make new friends from the school. Thanks to all for making it such a special morning.

Tuesday evening, the women and men gathered in the chapel to watch the movie War Room. If you have not seen it please do so. After the movie, so many of us commented, Ms Abbie must have a twin sister she has not told us about! Brother George closed us in prayer to inspire us to continue  to be the prayer warriors God is looking for.

Thursday evening was wet and cold, but the message and music was hot and lively in Chapel! Brother George shared the Word, while Ms Abbie shared her gift of music. Brother George's church prepared the meal, with the help of Allison, while others shopped for clothes and groceries. A good evening of fun and fellowship.

I have been very slow in getting the times for our basketball teams games. Chuck has put the complete list of games on the bulletin board in the office. This weeks games are  Monday 1/25 Bill Cockrell Park at 7:15. Thursday 1/28 David Raines at 6:15.

Prayers for Matt and Vicki as they continue the challenges of Matt's mom's health. Prayers for Tom Dark, a long time friend of ours, with the passing of his dad this week. Prayers for our relationships with our families, community and beyond as we move forward under God's direction.

Who's in charge? That's a strange question, isn't it? In charge of what? Our lives, our homes, our businesses, our church, our relationships, our community, who's in charge?

I was asked that question, early last Saturday morning in my truck, minding my own business, on the way to the center for breakfast. My radio was not on, my phone was in my pocket, no one else in the truck, that question came to mind, who's in charge? 

After looking around, checking the radio to be sure it was off, and reflecting back on the question, I said, you are Lord, of course. Then I heard, then let Me! Then let Me! Then Let Me! 

Reflecting back on that 30 second moment last Saturday, I kind of felt like Peter. Reading in Luke 22 verse 33, Peter says to Jesus, Lord I am ready to go with you to prison and to death. Jesus says, I tell you Peter, before the rooster crows today, you will deny three times that you know me. And as Peter did later in the chapter, verse 56, when a lady looked at Peter and said you were with him verse 57 But he denied it. Peter goes on to say, Woman I don't know him.

Of course we know, I know, God is in charge of my life, my every moment, but do we show it, do others see it, do we live it? We go through our challenges and struggles of life everyday, trying to make things right, but where does God fit into our lives? We make decisions everyday about our health, our love one's health, our family, our community, do we go to God first? Or do we make those decisions based on what we feel is right, then when things don't work out, we go to God?

For whatever reason, we have chosen a path where we get to experience life at it's most real stage. Living in poverty presents challenges most of us have never seen or experienced. Following a path chosen by God, presents us with challenges that most of society does not have to deal with. Living a life where God is in charge is hard. That maybe strange to say, but for me it is true. God puts people, circumstances, realities of life before us that is sometimes hard to deal with, but that is the path we have chosen. How we meet those challenges, is what God is asking of us.

Who's in charge of our lives? Let's begin to live our lives, so when someone walks up to us and says, wow, not sure I would have done it that way. Let's be able to be bold in our faith and say, God's in charge! Amen.

Hope you all have a great week. Start warm. Keep praying. Lvoe always.

Our tree

Another good week in our neighborhood! How was it in yours?! What blessings did God share with you?

We had our long time friends from Crowley, Louisiana come for the third visit this past Friday and Saturday. It was great to see them. They worked hard around the center Friday, went with us on our visits Saturday morning, visited the Hub Saturday afternoon, went to Grace Saturday night and back home Sunday morning! The highlight for me was taking them to visit Smokey Saturday morning. I told Smokey they wanted to come by, so he woke up at 4am, started cooking his beef stew and corn bread for us all, all 30 of us! The basketball team was being fed. John and Jim was hosting another sheet rock mudding party at the Bright House II, a busy morning!

Monday and Wednesdays continue to be a blast with our children in the afternoons. Monday, I tried to find a quiet place to read a book, but all the rooms were occupied with tutors and children! Great to see! 

Tuesday evening, the men gathered for their Bible fellowship. Rickie read from Luke 18: 35 - 43, talking about the blind beggar receiving his sight. The boldness of his faith, the eagerness to meet Jesus, all leading him to receive his sight. We all need some of his boldness and eagerness!

Thursday evening was another fun night in the neighborhood. Willie and Ms Abbie got us started in chapel. Alison and Ms Abbie prepared the meal of soup, cornbread and banana pudding, friends helping us clean up, shoppers getting their groceries and clothing, a good night. We had a special surprise, the Luginbill family was passing through and stopped in for a visit. It was great to see Sarah and Scott, but even better to visit with their new pride and joy, Ms Gray.

Joey reminded me, this Saturday is our third Saturday breakfast time. Please join us at 8:30 for some hot coffee, good food and interesting conversations.

Monday, Abbey and her crew will host our Centenary students. Lots of kiddos are coming, so as many as you can come to help supervise and work, please come.

This coming Tuesday evening, the women and men Bible fellowship groups will host a viewing of the movie War Room starting at 6:30 in the chapel. If you haven't seen it or want to see it again, please come and join us.

Prayers for all who need healing and relief from stress. Prayers for  those who are looking for God's direction in their lives. 

A couple of weeks before Christmas Lomax calls me to see if there was anything going on around Common Ground. He had not been to Shreveport in a while and wanted to see everybody, wanted to see us his extended family. So he and his lady friend Stephanie arrives Friday evening, staying at Momma T's house, where else! They joins us for our visits Saturday morning, and visited with folks around the center. 

Then Lomax says to me, you need to leave mr brian! Being as old as I am, I didn't hear that part, but watched as he and Stephanie run across the street to the big magnolia tree. As Lomax does, he began to climb up the tree, followed by Stephanie. I make my way across the street to video the action, so if they fall, I would have video evidence of the tumble! While I was filming, Lomax makes a jester to me to get out of here. Not realizing what he was doing, I continue to be a nuisance. Shortly I am joined by Momma T, Joey and Ardis.

I guess Lomax, seeing his family wasn't going anywhere, quietly reached in his pocket, leaned over to Stephanie and said will you marry me and gave her a ring! 

Lomax had planned this event for a long time, to be in a tree, just the two of them, alone without any interruptions or a crowd, but there their family was! God has a way of doing that! Ardis had lost her job the day before, down in the valley of hurt and pain, and a few hours later, on a mountaintop celebrating with two of our children the most special day of their young lives. God has a way of taking away the pain.

Lomax could have chosen any tree in the world, but he chose ours! Lomax chose a place where he grew up, where God touched his life, where he has a family who lvoes him and supports him, a place where he has life long friends, he chose our tree because of all of you.

Lomax could have chosen to be alone with his new fiancee but he chose to be with family. He drove 4 hours to get here. He chose to visit his friends who live under bridges, he visited with those who struggle with life, not to condemn but to lvoe. Where did he learn to do that, from all of you.

Life is hard, it takes everything we have to make it. We loose a job, we get sick, loose a parent, struggle with finances, our relationships deteriorate, you wonder how we can take another step. You think to yourself, what do I have to offer, my life is a mess, nothing good can come of me. But as we got to see, God can take the bad and turn it into good, as we saw to young people agree to become one in the eyes of God.

God is a god of mercy and grace, don't give up. God is a god of patience and kindness, don't turn away. God is god of lvoe and peace, don't miss your blessing. You were created by God, in His image, to do amazing things in His Kingdom, do it! Amen

Hope to see you all for breakfast and next week around the center.