hearts

Spring has sprung in this part of the country! What a beautiful time of the year, buds coming out on the trees, blooms beginning to spring open on the plants, warmer weather, beautiful sunrises, sunsets, a new beginning, a new start, let's make it a glorious season, and show God's glory to all!

We got the week started off by welcoming some old friends from Crowley, Louisiana. Ms Julie and Mr Tim led the youth from First Methodist. They helped out around the center. Krysten met them Thursday evening at Grace. Mr Karl and Ms Dawn along with Krysten, met them at the center Friday morning working all morning long. Then Saturday morning they traveled around with us visiting our friends, worked more Saturday afternoon. They attended worship at Grace Saturday night before they left for home. What an awesome group of youth, huge hearts, lots of enthusiasm, and a whole lot of energy!

Momma T, Ms Lisa and Ms Heather gathered in the garden for U2 Saturday. A big group of neighbors joined in on the fun of making Easter baskets and Easter costumes. What a fun time. Pictures are one the web site.

I guess the highlight of our visits on Saturday was seeing a long lost friend, Daniel. He was lost but now he is found! He is living with Robert at the moment, but hoping to get a place of his own in the near future.

Monday afternoon, we met some new friends at the center. A group of youth from Tyler from Colonial Hills Baptist church joined us all afternoon working in the garden, taking down Christmas lights, painting in the center, and trimming trees. Krysten and Mr Karl met them and showed them around. They are part of a group called Mission Tyler, helping the least of them in their town. Great group of young people, tireless workers.

Tuesday afternoon, we had a field trip for our neighborhood children. Ms Lisa had her van and loaded up the kids and took them to Norton Arts Gallery gardens. Joey, Lomax, Krysten, Mara and our own Allison, home for spring break helped out. Beautiful afternoon for the trip. More trips are planned. Pictures are up on our web site about their adventure. Everybody needs to ask Lomax what he forgot to do that afternoon!?

Also on Tuesday, we had to say goodbye to one of our interns, Krysten. Well not good bye, but hello to the full time youth director of First Methodist church in Minden. The challenge of being a youth pastor, took more time than she thought, so she is leaving Common Ground as it's director and devoting her energy and time in leading the youth of Minden. Krysten will be living at the Bright House for the moment, so you will ample opportunity to say thanks for everything she has done for our community, our children and our friends. Thanks Krysten for a job well done.

Tuesday evening, the men gathered for Bible fellowship, reading from Philippians 4. Paul sharing what Christians should do. be full of joy in the Lord. Let everyone see you are gentle and kind. do not worry about anything, but pray and ask God for everything. God's peace will keep your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus. Wow, what words to live by, so simple, so pure, so full of peace, can't we do it?!

Wednesday, as we said goodbye to Krysten, God put us together with a new family member, Abbey Roubel. Abbey will be assuming Krysten's duties, as she said Thursday evening, I'm the new Krysten! She is full of life, a young mom and wife, and a caring heart for our community. If you see her at Grace or around the center, please introduce yourselves to her. She wants to get to know everybody and help out as much as she can.

Thursday afternoon, we had a return visit from our Tyler youth. They are on spring break this week, didn't finish their work on Monday, so they wanted to come back and do more work! Isn't that amazing. They worked all afternoon until it was time to help out Ms Abbie, Ms Dorothy in food pantry and preparing our meal. They served, cleaned, and washed dishes before they returned home! What a blessing!

Pastor Jackson and Wes led us in chapel. We opened up the doors to the chapel, so the songs and the Word of God could be heard to the streets! Wes and I had prepared some songs, but the Spirit got hold of Pastor and he went another direction! He had everybody standing, clapping, hollering, singing praises to the Lord! Tears of joy were flowing as we were covered in the power of the Holy Spirit. Pastor read from first Samuel, talking about God finding a king, looking at our hearts, not what others see. Very inspiring.

After chapel, our youth from Tyler was serving our food prepared by Momma T of chicken spaghetti, salad and brownies. Yummy! Ms Lisa, checked her grocery lists and the evening was great. Thanks to all for making our community meal such a special time.

Prayer concerns for the week, Charley and Noel are participating in the Kairos weekend at Wade. Prayers for Noel, as he waits for test results from his doctor. John Williams is leading the prayer team at a mens' Walk to Emauas. Prayers for Wes and Shannon. Their only son has left for the Marines and started his basic training. Prayers God will continue to lead us along our journeys. Continued prayers for Ms Sarah as she continues to lead teams of servants in Haiti. Prayers for Ms Abbie as she continues to recover from her eye surgery. Everything is fine, just taking time to heal.

Don't forget our third Saturday breakfast is this Saturday, March 16th, at 8:30. Momma T and her crew will be serving, french toast, bacon, fruit and hot coffee. Come if you can and enjoy the fellowship.

We will have another youth group joining us next weekend, Monday and Tuesday. The youth from Blackwater Methodist church in Baton Rouge will be coming. Please come by at some point and meet and greet them.

It's been awhile, since I have been asked, are you the preacher of this community. I was asked Thursday night. I told them, oh no, I am a nobody, just hanging around, trying to do what God wants of me. I was reminded of that Thursday at chapel when Pastor read from 1 Samuel 16, in verse 7, the Lord said to Samuel, "Don't look at how handsome Eliab is or how tall he is, because I have not chosen him. God does not see the same way people see. People look at the outside of a person, but the Lord looks at the heart."

The kingdoms set up by man are driven by greed, egos, power, oppression. Usually the strongest over power the weakest. And in time, man's kingdom will die. God's Kingdom is completely opposite. God does not look at the powerful, He looks at the common. He does not see strength, He sees compassion. God chooses to serve, rather than lead. God's Kingdom will never die.

If our community is to survive, we must allow God to use us in ways we may not understand. We must humble ourselves, allowing God to receive the glory. It is not about us and the way we do things, but about God and the way He wants things done. How exciting to allow God to flow through you and let the Holy Spirit shine in our community. It was evident Thursday night.

I was told a story Thursday night about a member of our neighborhood, who looks to Common Ground for peace and understanding. They do not find lvoe in the neighborhood, only in our community. When they are away, they miss it. What a testimony to all of you for being the kind of servants God is wanting us to be. How exciting to be a part of such special people.

Hope your weekend is great. Hope your weather is beautiful and you can enjoy it with your family and friends. Lvoe, Lvoe, Lvoe, Amen!