Who is Jesus?

And we're off!

The first week of camp has come and gone! Great to see all the activities going on. Lunch, artistic pieces being created, discovering new worlds and adventures, learning, playing, smiles everywhere, little ones being lvoed on. Thursday was water mountain fun time in the green area at the center. One of the side objectives was to wear out the children, so they would be quiet the rest of the evening! Guess what, that didn't work! Great times, adventures continue next week.

Tuesday evening, the men gathered for Bible fellowship. Joey shared the Word from Luke 7. John the Baptist sent some of his men to see if Jesus was the Messiah? Instead of Jesus telling the men who he was, Jesus says watch. Jesus could have shared who He was but He was a man of action. Are we? Do we talk the talk or do we walk the walk?

Wednesday morning, we had the youth from Grace Community come and help out around the center. Our chairs and tables are all nice and clean as well as the dining hall. Lots of hard work, thanks for coming by.

Thursday was a busy afternoon and evening. Our new education building had a ribbon cutting ceremony. Our friends from the Shreveport Chamber of Commerce, Bossier Parish Community College, Willis Knighton, all came to be a part of a new adventure we are about to enter. BPCC will be hosting adult education classes at the building. A long time dream of many coming into reality! Praise God! Ms Abbie and the community choir led our singing and praising in chapel, as a new pastor shared the Word. Our friends from Elizabeth Baptist church showed up in full force helping us in all the areas at the center. A busy, blessed evening.

A question was asked Tuesday evening, How do you answer the question, are you a Christian? Yes, I go to church. I go to Sunday School. I sing in the choir. I am in a small group. I work in the Market. I help in the dining hall. All good ministries, but does that make you a Christian? How does that look to someone else who is not a Christian? Are we boasting? Are we bragging?

John the Baptist's men asked Jesus, Are you the one who is to come, or should we expect someone else? Jesus could have shared in Words who He was, but He did not. He chose to cure those who had diseases, sicknesses and evil spirits, and gave sight to many who were blind. The messengers got to see first hand the miracles. Don't you think that made a huge impact on them?! We can hear about storm damage, but until we see it for ourselves, it does not have the same impact on our lives.

We have that opportunity everyday of our lives in our community. We need to be able to share who Jesus is and what He has done in our lives, but we also need to be able to share the miracles He is doing in our lives. We need to be able to go out and serve a meal to those living outside the walls. We need to make a place for God's children to come experience His lvoe for them. We need to lvoe on those who may not lvoe us back. We need to provide a place for young boys to learn to be young men of God. It is happening in our community everyday. God's Kingdom needs us all to be the hands and feet of Christ. Amen.

Wherever you go!

Good morning to all! It has been a couple of weeks since our last note. We have been spending time with our grandchildren, so all our energy has been on them. I will admit I have become proficient in the Mickey Mouse Clubhouse, P J Masks of the world, Alvin and the Chipmunks and many others! Glad to be back among our brothers and sisters in Christ!

Shawn, Joey and others visited our friends living outside. They all seem to be doing well. Not much drama last week. An update on Smokey. We visited him Tuesday, finding him sitting in his wheelchair wearing his coveralls! He is going to rehab two or three times a day. He is still having problems with his wound, which the doctors have changed their approach to it, so we are hoping it will heal sooner. With the help of Joey, he has applied for new housing and hopefully will hear back soon on that. His Medicaid has started, allowing him to stay where he is. William needs our prayers. Prayers for William to make the right choices for his life.

We now have a huge 20 something seat van for our use! It is parked in our parking lot for the moment ready for our first trip!

Tuesday evening the men gathered for their Bible fellowship. Brother Rickie led the discussions from Joshua. When God promises something,  it will happen. It may not be when we want it to happen, but it will happen when God is ready for it to happen.

Thursday evening was full of exciting prayers, songs, groceries, clothing and food! We had lots of help from the youth from Broadmoor Baptist. A blessed evening.

Next Thursday, the group Stomp from Broadmoor Baptist will be performing at our meal at 5:30. They came several years ago and it was amazing. You don't want to miss it this time!

The basketball teams are about to start playing in a new league this summer. As soon as we get their schedules, we will let you all know. Most of the games will be at First Baptist in Shreveport. The team is working hard improving their new building, working around the campus, earning points so they can take trips during the summer months. Call Matt or Vicki if you need help from the boys.

Sunday, the new summer camp team will be preparing for summer camp. Prayers for them all as they begin a new adventure. Lots of new faces will be joining us this summer. Can't wait to see what God will do in the building of relationships?!

God is encouraging Joshua to leave where they are and go into a new land. God is reminding Joshua, I will never leave you nor forsake you. In verse 9, God says to Joshua, "Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go."

Where are you going? Where is Common Ground going? We can get comfortable at times doing the same thing over and over, there is not much faith involved in that. To venture into un chartered waters is scary and uneasy to us. God was asking Joshua to prepare his people to move into a new land, to have faith. God reminding Joshua He would be with them.

God is asking the same of us. Where is your heart leading you? Where is God leading Common Ground? We maybe asked to move into a new land, to do something different, to take a risk, to change our surroundings, will we do it? Or find a reason not to? It is easy to continue to do what we have been doing, it may not be easy to move into a new land? But I want us to remember, to be strong and courageous, don't be afraid, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go! No better safety net can be found anywhere! Amen!

Hope you all have a blessed week. God is good!