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!