Holy Friday

Another special week in and around the center. God's beauty shining through in the flowers and trees magnificently.

Saturday mornings are none stop with action. Scott and Tim are busy making their rounds to the camps. Join them at the Hope House one Saturday at 9 to experience the lvoe of Jesus. Matt, Vicki, Ardis, Shelly, Benny share their lvoe with the children as they work in the kitchen, the clothing room, the garden, around the neighborhood, in the chapel. Great to see young lives being changed through the lvoe of Jesus.

The same can be said on Mondays and Wednesdays. Young lives are being taught by our young leaders the special lvoe of Jesus through words and numbers. Awesome to see.

Tuesday evenings are no exception. Both the men and women's Bible fellowships are a place where the community can come together and share how God is working in their lives. Strong bonds are being formed, not just between each other but between God.

Thursday evenings are special. You all go out of your way to make it special. Through our time in chapel, with Ms Abbie playing the piano. An Easter banquet, I imagine just like Jesus had at His last meal. Ham, turkey and all the trimmings, doesn't get any better than that. Abbey, Shelly, Vicki, Gabrielle, Allison leading the children in the making of Easter cookies and finding Easter eggs all over the grounds. What an evening.

Prayers continue for my wife. She got a good doctor's report, but has more healing to do. Another doctor's visit in 3 weeks before they decide on future plans. William as he continues to recover from his addictions. Joey as he travels back home today. Prayers for the direction of our community as we move forward.

Don't forget, this Sunday, Easter Sunday, no better way to experience the resurrection than to gather at the center and walk the neighborhood spreading the lvoe of Jesus through the hiding of Easter eggs. A long tradition of ours, starting at 6:30am. If you have additional eggs you want to bring please do so.

We will have our first celebration time in the chapel on Sunday starting at 10am. Benny and Shelly will be leading our worship. Come and enjoy.

Holy Friday! Hard for me to say good. Definitely good for us, but not so good for Jesus. His journey on earth was coming to a close, but He had one last act for us, to die on a cross. He died for all of us, those that lvoe Him and those who don't know Him yet. Max said in a devotional this week, like the two thieves who were with Him, we have a choice. We can accept Jesus or reject Him, it's our choice.

Jesus died, so when we see God, God will not see us, but see the face of Jesus. Isn't that amazing! Jesus died for me a sinner. Can't be possible. Doesn't make sense. Not logical. But it is true. In spite of what we do, what we think, who we are, Jesus lvoes us. Jesus took away the sins of the world, on this very day, many years ago. Wow and I complain I have a scratch on my finger.

I am not worthy of such a sacrifice. It humbles me to think the creator of the heavens and earth, wants nothing in return other than to lvoe Him. Our time on earth with be magnified with blessings beyond our comprehension if we do. If only we do. If only we realize to let go of our egos, our pride, our stubbornness. Jesus did on the cross. He let go because He knew where He was going. Can't we do the same?

Hope you have a glorious Holy Weekend. Let's try together to live lives worthy of the sacrifice Jesus made today. Allowing our communities to see the Light of the Holy One in each one of us, glowing so bright, they will say to us, I want you have!  He is Risen! Amen!

Passing through

It doesn't get any better than this! God has created His wondrous canvas of beauty for us to enjoy after our long, cold, wet winter. Hope you are getting out and enjoying it all!

Saturday brought us lots of adventures in and around the center. Tim and Scott kicked off our first outdoor friends visits, leaving from the Hope House. Scott said, it was good to see some old friends and meet new ones. Lots of places to go and people to meet! Lots of activity around the center. Unpacking our new freezer, wrapping bread, working in the garden, picking up trash in the neighborhood, Bible study, visiting Smokey, hanging clothes. enjoying each other's company, a good morning.

Monday and Wednesday were busy with our afternoon studies. Wednesday, we took the afternoon off and enjoyed the pretty weather. Kick ball and other games were calling us to the outside!

Tuesday evening, we had our first ladies Bible fellowship. Ms Abbie reported all went well and everybody had a good time. She and Shelly will continue to invite the ladies of the community to come and enjoy the fellowship. 

Matt led our men's discussions reading from Matthew chapter 6. Jesus telling us to help others and not boast about it. To pray to God but not for show. Humble our selves before the Lord, hard to do at times.

Wednesday evening, Momma T hosted our family time.

mr brian was out of town on Thursday, so others will have to share with us how things went. Abbey was hosting our first, grocery shopping experience for the community. The groceries were laid out on tables, allowing the community to choose items they would eat. We had students from Centenary there to help us through the process.

Lift up William as he continues to regulate his medicines and get back on track with his life. Ginellen, as she continues to recover from her surgery. Prayers her doctor's report this coming Wednesday is a good one. Prayers for my brother and his family in the passing of his wife of 53 years, their mother and grandmother. Prayers for Joey and his buddies as they travel to Atlanta for some relaxation and fun this coming week.

Lomax has done a good job in sharing his adventures with us. Please go to his blog at:

http://amorlinguaomni.wordpress.com/ for the latest news.

Attending a funeral, especially a family member, humbles you. Seeing family members who you have not seen in many years brings back old memories of your love one. You reminisce about the good ol' days. Marvel at how the children have grown. Speculate about the future and what it may hold. Seeing my sister-in-laws casket being carried by 5 of her grandsons changes you. The many pews filled with family members,celebrating their mother, sister, wife, grandmother puts a different perspective on life. I am left to think about on my drive home, what is this life all about?

We go through life trying to do the best we can, trying to follow the will of God, for the good of our community. We strive to achieve goals, obtain wealth, keep healthy. Is there more to life than that? We celebrate the life of our love one on Thursday and go back to our lives and routines on Friday. Is there more to these lives we live? Is God trying to tell us something?

In my sister-in-laws obituary, the family shared the different occupations she obtained. What church she attended. Her hobbies. Her passions. All very nice. We all could do the same about our lives. But is that what is important in life?

For the most part, the pews were filled with family and friends, not her career bosses. We heard about her hobbies, but they did put people in the pews. It was her heart and lvoe for others that filled the pews. The priest talked about her loving character and her lvoe of the Lord. That lvoe, has been passed on through her daughters and now it is being passed on to their children.

We talked about on Tuesday evening, Christ wants a relationship with us. That relationship takes work on our part. We often get so busy with stuff, we forget to calm our souls long enough to hear the quiet voice of Jesus talking to us. We must not allow the busy ness of this world to drown out the voice of God. Are we doing all we can to help our children with their relationships with Jesus?

Reflecting on my sister-in-laws celebration of her life, relationships are the most important asset we can develop as we go through our journeys. It starts off with our relationships with God, being grounded in the Lord allowing us to share that lvoe with others. We must show that lvoe to our families, encouraging them to do the same. We must share the Light of Christ with our community, giving them hope and peace in their lives. Then when it comes time to celebrate our lives, the cathedrals will be filled with family, friends and community full of peace, joy and lvoe! Amen.

Hope you all have a glorious week. May the peace of God go with you all this week.

Obey and sacrifice

Hope your weather this week as been as good as ours. Special time of the year, when the cold, wet rain turns the trees and plants into beautiful colors of the rainbow. God is a pretty good artist!

Saturday was a busy day for us. We had bunches of students from Centenary joining us to help around the center for their Big Event happening. Some walked the neighborhood picking up trash. Others painted the center and sanctuary. Some hung clothes. A few bag groceries. We had some in the kitchen wrapping bread. And some in the garden. Later in the morning Benny and Matt led Bible study. Good times were had by all.

Scott and Dawn made our last outdoor friends visit. Some drama in the camps but for the most part all went well. Starting this Saturday, April 5th, Tim will take over the leadership roll in this area. All walks will begin at the Hope House starting at 9 am and then another walk around noon. Tim has been preparing for this ministry for many months and we are blessed to have him take this role. If it's been awhile since you have been on a walk, try to go by and support Tim and the Hope House.

Monday and Wednesday, we continue to have great success in helping our children with their homework. Amazing to see the lvoe being shown to our children through those who come and help out. We can always use more help if you want to come and join in.

Monday, one of our friends, following God's calling and left us for awhile. Dawn is now in Florida, gone but not forgotten. She will be with us through email. You never know, one day we may see her again!

Tuesday morning, Lomax left us for his adventure in Lebanon. He will be gone for a month, traveling and seeing things we have no clue what is going on in that part of the world. He will be mainly supporting a new friend in a school based environment. But knowing Lomax, he might venture off into un chartered waters?! Please keep him in your prayers this month.

Tuesday evening, another special night of the men of the community coming together sharing their hearts on how God is changing their lives. Ricky led us in reading from 1st Samuel chapter 15: 19-24. God talking to Samuel about it is more important to be obedient in the eyes of the Lord, than to make sacrifices. Are we following the will of God in our lives or are we trying to "look good" in the eyes of others?

Thursday in chapel, we were treated to songs and words from our friends, Heather, Derek and Richard. They always tell us, being with us in chapel is the highlight of their week. We are blessed by their faithfulness. Benny and Shelly treated us to barbeque chicken for our meal, with the help of Ms Abbie and her kitchen crew helping with the sides. A good size crowd for the evening, enjoying everything God had to offer.

For the next few months, Lisa will have a Board meeting on the first Thursday after our meals. If you want to bring anything up to her, send an email to her before the meeting so she can share it with the Board. Highlights of the meeting. We are working towards a fundraiser for sometime in September at Centenary. Plans are still being worked out. Plans are underway for housing our interns for the summer. Isn't that cool! New floors have been sealed and waxed. Ricky did a great job. Discussions about opening up the sanctuary. Safety concerns were brought up to address before we can move forward. 

As Hat reported, William is back on his medication and doing better, moving to Dallas for the moment. Continued prayers for him. Saw on Face book, Sarah and Scott will become parents in the near future. Prayers for them and their little one. Continued prayers for my wife. Her first check up was good, still a ways to go for full recovery.

"To obey is better than sacrifice, and to heed is better than the fat of the rams". Samuel told Saul this in verse 22. Why do we do what we do? Why do we go to church on the weekends? Why do we go to Common Ground during the week? Do we "do" religion because that is what we have always done? Have we become complacent in our attitudes and our actions? Are we obeying God's will or showing up because we want to look good?

We talked about folks this time of year making sacrifices for the Lenten season. I gave up brussel sprouts for lent. What a sacrifice! I did it to look good, not because I was obeying God's will. Many folks make New Years resolutions. Why, not because they are obeying the will of God but because that is what you do in January. God wants us to obey His will, not to make a sacrifice to look good.

Why do you do what you are doing for the Kingdom? A hard question. In verse 23 . . . arrogance like the evil of idolatry. You start doing things out of the ordinary and your friends say to you, man you sure are doing great stuff. Or they might say, sure wish I had time to do what you are doing.  Our chests start to puff out, our egos start to inflate and before you know it, it becomes about us and not about God.

We have to constantly work on our pride and remember it is not about us but about God. We need to check our hearts. We need to check our egos. We need to check our pride and ask ourselves, what are we doing and why are we doing it.

The last part of verse 22, says . . . to heed is better than the fat of rams. God wants us to follow His will, obey His commandments. We will blessed beyond our imagination if we do. Even though we might not see those blessings today or tomorrow, but He says they will come. And if God says they will come, they will come! Amen.

Hope you have a great week. Hope you are able to get out in the sunshine and enjoy the majesty of God's canvas. May we all obey His will in our lives this week and enjoy the blessings of His Kingdom.

flying

Hope this note finds everybody doing ok. It's been a strange week for me and my family, taking me away from our community, so I don't have much to report. Others will have to share their experiences of the week with us.

Icee Joe and Ricky traveled around to the camps Saturday. Joe reporting, things went well, seeing a few of the guys. Gradually our camps are diminishing, which is great news, for most are finding housing or places to go, leaving the woods behind.

A crowd of kids on Monday, as Gabrielle and Joey played with them outside the center. Flying kites was on the agenda for Monday! The March winds were accommodating.

Tuesday evening, Noel led the men's Bible study. I asked one of the young men Thursday evening, how was Bible study?. He said it was great! Isn't that amazing, how the Holy Spirit is working in the hearts of the young men through the men of the circle.

Wednesday evening the young men of the Bright House hosted our family time.

Thursday evening, greeted by cloudy, rainy skies, we got started by Ms Abbie and Pastor Eddie's new friend Pastor Chester in chapel. TJ working all afternoon cooking up a storm, we had a great meal. Folks were slow to arrive, but they came, receiving their bags of groceries and checking out the clothing room.

Remember this Saturday, we will be one of the sites for Centenary's Big Event work day. Abbey is preparing all sorts of jobs for the students. She could use your help, please come if you can. The Big Event starts at 9 am.

While I was in Dallas over the weekend, I stopped by Sarah and Scott's church Sunday morning to say Hi. After walking through all of the buildings, I finally found them on their way to church. It was great to see them and they wanted me to tell you all Hi.

Continued prayers for my wife as she in the recovery phase from her surgery. The surgery was more involved than we had hoped but the doctors have corrected her problem, so now she is sore from all the work they did. Prayers for Momma T and the youth leaders as they travel to Dallas for a conference this weekend. Prayers for Dawn as she starts a new chapter in her journey. She will be leaving us and heading down to Florida. As I mentioned to the folks in chapel Thursday evening, I wish God would call me to Florida and the beaches! Prayers for Lomax, as he leaves us Tuesday for a month long visit to Lebanon. What stories he will have when he gets back. Prayers for the Hunter's new grand daughter arriving last Friday morning. Mother, baby, daddy and paw paw are doing fine! Paw paw has 962 pictures of the new grand daughter if you want to see any!

Life goes on. Community goes along. We sometimes make ourselves out to be more important than we really are. In our minds, we say to ourselves, this job can't get down, if I'm not around. Or, the meeting will go astray if I am not there to lead. Or thinking, they can't do it with out me there.

This past week of me gone to Dallas and then home taking care of my wife has showed me, things will be just fine without mr brian around. Why because, God is in charge. Why because others step forward and lead.

As we go through our journeys, we need to help others along the way. But just as important, we need to let them spread their wings and let them fly. There will be struggles but that is ok, because God will be there to catch us and put us back on the right paths.

God has given each of us unique gifts. We see things differently because we all come from different perceptives. We may not do it the same way, but as long as we are following the will of God it will get done. The same way we need to let go and let God in our lives, we need to let go and let others use their gifts. In the end, we will all be blessed beyond our imaginations. Amen.

Hope to see you all Saturday at the center. Have a great week, remembering it is not about me but about God!

pure heart and steadfast spirit

Writing this note from Dallas sitting with our grandson. So this note may not make any sense! Hope your week has been filled with adventures and blessings!

Another happening Saturday around the center. Visits to our friends who live outside was nice. Some drama with Robert and Brad going on, but that is nothing new! Pretty quiet at the other camps. Did get some good news, Tex from the macaroni camp has moved inside. Lots of activity with the children was happening all morning long.

Monday brought the beginning of the installation of our new floor. Wednesday they completed the flooring. It looks great. Thanks to Carl and Lisa for making it all happen.

Tuesday evening, Rickie led our discussions at our mens Bible fellowship reading from Psalm 51: 1-10. King David realizing he had strayed from his path, asked God for forgiveness. David knew where his strength came from and only God could give what he was desiring. We all can learn from David.

Our afternoon activities are going great. Lots of good help making learning fun.

Was out of town Thursday, so can't report on our evening. Others will have to do that.

Prayers for my wife this morning as she is having her surgery. Prayers for our son and our daughter-in-law as they prepare to give birth to our granddaughter this morning. Prayers for those traveling.

In  verse 10 in our discussions on Tuesday night, David asked God to create in me a pure heart and renew a steadfast spirit within me. In our humanness, our hearts are full of pride, jealousy, judgmental. On our own we can not take away those traits without God stepping in.

We must strive to allow God to take over our hearts in order that we lvoe unconditional. As we move along in our walks, real change, will only come when we allow God to take over our hearts. There will be no division between people only lvoe will abound.

The last part of the verse, David asks for a steadfast spirit within me. It is truly amazing, God lvoes us so much, he has given each one us a part of Him. He knew we were weak in our flesh, so He has provided away for us to walk a straight path. His Spirit is in our hearts ready to guide and instruct us in our ways. We just need to let go and let the Holy Spirit lead us. Something so very simple, we make it so complicated. Amen

It has taken 3 hours to write this short note, with lots of help from our grandson! Not responsible for anything that might be out or order!

Hope your week is full of joy and surprises! God is good and waiting on us to let go.

Won't you come

 you persevere, good things will come. We have suffered through one of the coldest, wettest winters and this week we got to enjoy God's majesty with some spring days. Feel like a bear who has been hibernating in his cave, great to be outside in the warm, sunshiny afternoons! Hope you week was a good one in your part of the world.

What a day we had Saturday. We waited, and waited, and waited for Vickie and Matts youth from Airline Baptist to join us! It was worth the wait. Some went with us on our visits while the rest worked around the center. All sorts of work was done in and around the center during the morning, followed by us all gathering in the sanctuary for a time of reflection. Did you see that last statement?! In the sanctuary! It was great to see the pews filled with young people as they listened to our stories of Common Ground and what Jesus is doing in our lives.

We made our rounds visiting our friends. Turner was fine. Robert has left again. Brad is hanging in there, not doing too well. Most of the guys at the Macroni camps were gone. Smokey as usual entertained the youth with his stories of living outside.

Forgot to mention last week, another milestone for Tim. His employer,  honoring Tim for his dedication to his job, arranged for housing for Tim. So now Tim and his dog friend, Buddy have their own place next to the Hope House. What an amazing journey Tim is on and we all get to see it unfold before our eyes. Keep up the good work Tim, we are very proud of you. God is doing great things through you.

Our afternoon activities continued this week. Good helpers, attending to the needs of our children. What a blessing to see it all.

Tuesday afternoon the youth group from Colonial Hills Baptist church arrived. We gave them a tour of our grounds, shared our story and introduced them to our community. We need to thank Grace Methodist for lending their facilities to them for their sleeping arrangements. Starting bright and early Wednesday morning, they have been working around the center and the gardens. They will be with us through Saturday morning. If you have a chance please, go by and give them a hug and tell them how much we appreciate all their hard work. Instead of going skiing or to the beach for their spring break, they decided to come to Shreveport and serve the Lord. Amazing young people.

A packed chapel Tuesday evening for our men's Bible fellowship. Guess the circle of chairs needs to be bigger! Matt read from Titus Chapter 3: 1-9. We were once lost but now we are found. Found by the grace of God. Not be doing good things. God saved us not by the righteous things we have done, but by His mercy. What an amazing God we have!

Wednesday evening we gathered at Ardis' house for our family Bible study time. Great food and good conversations. We had a special guest, Ms Abbie joined us. The highlight of the evening, Hat called William and we each got to speak to him. He sounded good, but lonely for his family. We talked about for our next upcoming Bible study. Joey will lead us in story form of the reading of the Bible. Everybody is welcomed to join us.

Thursday afternoon, the youth of Colonial Hills led our chapel time. Singing and sharing some of their thoughts about the week. Their pastor then spoke for a few minutes about the awesomeness of God. Then we were treated to a delicious meal provided by our friends at Calvary Pentecostal church. Lots of activity, lots talk, lots of good time was had by all. A great evening.

Following our meal, Ms Lisa had a short Board meeting. We talked about the upcoming fundraiser, the sanctuary, the new floor, the garden, upcoming Easter celebration. Waiting to finalize a place for the fundraiser before we set our plans. Discussions about opening the sanctuary for worship. The laying of the new floor will start Monday. New plans for the garden. We talked about having an Easter block party for our Thursday meal time.

With all the tables and chairs moved out of the fellowship hall and work going on in that area, we will not have our monthly breakfast time Saturday. We will try for next month.

Prayers for William. He is trying to recover from his stroke. His physical body will heal, his heart needs God's blessing. Prayer for Momma T as she travels to see Georgette. Prayers for Dawn's back. Causing her lots of pain. Prayers for mr brian's wife, Ginellen for surgery next Friday. Prayers the Hunters new granddaughter comes this week, so the grandparents can baby sit their grandson! Prayers for Charlie and Noel as they are attending a Kairos prison ministry this weekend.

Lots of exciting things about to happen around our community. God is at work. Please come and be a part of it. The Kingdom of God won't be complete until you come. You are amazing people, true servants of God. Amen.

See you this week around our community. Hope your week is full of blessings and joy.

Giving up?

The old saying, if you don't like the weather today in Louisiana, just wait, it will change tomorrow. Highs in the 70's last weekend, highs during the week in the 40's! Hope your weather was better in your part of the world.

We got our Saturday started off by visiting our friends. Turner is fine as usual. Brad brought a new friend Gabriel to meet us. Robert was a no show. The macaroni camps were active. Gradually we are seeing fewer friends, as Tim begins to make his rounds during the week checking on everybody. We are telling our friends, if they need help to go see Tim at the Hope House.

The center was a bee hive of activity as usual on Saturday. Wrapping bread. Walking the neighborhood. Picking up trash. Cleaning around the center. Bible study. Inspiring to see it all happening.

With the frigid cold weather on Monday, there was no afternoon activities. We did meet on Wednesday to full house of children. Lots of good interaction going on between the adults and the children.

Tuesday evening, the men were led by Brother Benny, reading from Colossians 3: 15-17. Good discussions on how we are called by God to follow the teachings of Jesus, giving glory to God for everything we do. It is not us who do the good works, but Christ within us.

Ash Wednesday, the beginning of the Lenten season. Hope you were able to reflect on your relationship with Jesus and how we can all strive to a deeper, more meaningful relationship with Him.

Thursday, finally the sun came out, temperatures warmed up to the 60's for our activities. Chapel was led by our friends Derek and Heather, and their pastor at First Methodist also named Derek. Our first Thursday tradition has become the celebration of coming to the table for communion. Pastor Derek reminded us, it is an open table, open to all as you are, open to those who are broken, open to those who need healing, open to the table  where we are welcomed by our King. We also had the opportunity to reflex on this special time of year, by David McCormick marking us by the ashes of the cross. Special time.

Our meal was prepared by Ms Abbie and all her workers. Grocery bags were handed out. Clothes were given away. Children's church was happening. One of our smaller crowd in a long time gathered. Those who were there, needed to be there.

Don't forget to spring forwarded Saturday night. Don't want to be late for church services on Sunday!

We will have the youth from Airline Baptist with us this Saturday. Matt and Vicki will have their hands full! Come and meet all the young people.

Next week we will have a youth group from Tyler joining us. They will be arriving Tuesday evening at Grace and then working around the center the rest of the week. Lots of opportunities for you to come by and meet them all. Special young people, who will be spending their spring break with us.

Next Saturday will be our monthly breakfast, March 15th starting at 8:30. Come and enjoy the good food and good fellowship.

Prayer concerns for all who are not feeling well. Prayers for my wife, Ginellen who will be having surgery March 21. Prayers for Momma T and her mom. Prayers for all who are living outside in this long cold winter. Prayers for our community. Prayers for jobs for our community. Prayers for new babies being born, the Hunter's new granddaughter and the McCormicks.

It is time to begin collecting Easter eggs and candy for our annual Easter egg hide. I am guessing, maybe 8 years or so, we gather at sunrise Easter morning, walking the neighborhood spreading lvoe around through the eggs we hide. One of our favorite activities of the year. Everybody is invited to come and join in on the fun. It only takes an hour or so, leaving you plenty of time to make it to your church services.

Lomax asked me what I was going to give up for Lent. I told him, have been thinking about that. Maybe brussel sprouts or asparagus, or what about watching the news on TV. I don't know, shopping for clothes might be good to do or give up exercising!

Of course, giving up something I don't do anyway would not draw me closer to God, so what is the deal?

Years ago at Grace, I was asked to led a men's Bible group. I remember asking Sione to join me, because I said to him if they hear mr brian is going to lead, no one would be there! When the time came for our first meeting, I fasted for 24 hours, no food just water. For me to give up food for an hour is good, 24 hours is impossible!

What I remember during those times when the hint of hunger arose, I asked God to help, to take away those feelings, to let me move forward in the day without eating. I can tell you it worked! What a powerful 24 hours it was for me, fighting the feeling of hunger, but knowing God was with me every step of the day.

For the next 40 days we have the same opportunity. Jesus made the ultimate price for us, so that we may have everlasting life. How can we show Him, we truly lvoe Him? What can we do to grow stronger in our relationship with Him? Do less, be more quiet, slow down, talk less, listen more, pray more?

Just giving up something is not the reason for Lent. Giving up something, but replacing it with God's lvoe is. We are too weak to do it on our own, we need Jesus. No better way to become more dependent on Him than to start doing it right now during this season.

Hope we all let go and let God in our lives during these next 38 days. Realizing, it is not about us, but about Christ within us. Amen.

See you around the center Saturday and next week. Hope your week is full of joy and blessings! God is Good!