We've come a long way

Oh what a morning! To see the brilliant sunrise, cool crisp air, there is no doubt God is good! What did God do in your life this week for you to say, God is good?!

Saturday was an unusual day to get our week going. We made our way around to our camps, visiting with the guys and girl. Sara and her husband Tom joined in on the fun. Robert was giddy saying, he has a place to move inside? He has said that before, so we are hoping this time it comes true. Turner was warm by his new burn pot. Denise and her friend Kevin were hanging in there. Jerry, Joey and Tex were glad to see Scott. Joey and I had the honor of hosting the 12 year old basketball team for lunch. Then we heated up pizza for the big crew of servants from The Church at Red River at the Bright House II. All this was happening while Lisa was hosting the annual Board retreat at her office.

A new bus driver was found, so we had our children show up for our afternoon learning times. It was great to have them back with us. Walking along the back of the center, we have so many tutors the parking lot is full! We are having our tutors bring their friends along, so we are enjoying more help for our children. It all makes for good afternoons.

Tuesday evening, Joey led our men's Bible fellowship. He had us reading various passages talking about finding God in different places. We know we can find God in the light, but can you find God in the darkness?

Just before we were leaving the center Wednesday, a couple of men approached Lisa about the possibility of paving our parking lot with black top they had left over from a job. Lisa was heading out the door for a presentation about Common Ground to our friends at Eagle Distributing. Late that night, the parking lot guys showed up and we now have half of our parking lot repaved, it looks great. Thanks Lisa for making it all happen. 

Thursday afternoon, we got chapel started off by having our new friend Bryce from the Yellow House lead us in song. Then we had a new pastor in training from Grace, Rene' share the Word. Allison and Ms Abbie had spent two days preparing our meal. The Market was packed with shoppers. The Clothing Room had people everywhere. A great night.

I was looking for some pictures this week and found a disc of pictures Lisa's sons had put together of snapshots of Common Ground's beginnings. I brought the disk with me to chapel. We showed the pictures up on the wall and the community began to comment. Seeing old friends, some who are no longer with us, hearing stories of their experiences with them. Some pictures, asking community, do ya'll recognize them? It was great. Another reminder of where we have come from.

Most afternoons, you will find Joey in the office working on numbers. He gave me a print out of some of his findings. Last year we served over 600 families in the Market, effecting over 1200 people. There were pictures of us in the "White" House painting our 2 food pantry shelves! We served over 7000 meals last year. We had several pictures of us sitting on our "concrete" dining hall driveway. We saw pictures of a bedroom with shelves for our clothes, now we have two rooms of clothes.

Most of the work was done by a handful of people, now we are averaging over 20 servants each week. Working at the center this week in the mornings, I had forgotten what dedicated servants we have each and every week. They never get the praise because nobody is around to thank them. Pam and her dad spend hours most Wednesdays sorting, unpacking the boxes for our Market. Stephannie, Ms Abbie and a couple of other ladies go through the countless bags of donated clothes, organizing, hanging them so our community can select what they need.

There was a picture or two of the Bright House II. One picture was right after the fire, with black scarred furniture pulled out of the house sitting on the front lawn. I remember the house sitting vacant for years, not inhabitable. Now, through the hard work of over 60 servants from the Church at Red River, Momma T walked through last night picking out colors for the walls and samples for flooring to be used.

Listening to Abbey walk through the process of serving over 145 people on Thursdays to a couple of ladies from a church down the street who will be starting to feed the community one night a week. Seeing pictures of us in a dark, dreary hall and kitchen, remembering times where we were locked out and getting no help from the surrounding community.

Folks, we have come along way in a short amount of time. We get anxious at times, thinking things don't seem to be happening as fast as we would like them happen. But seeing those pictures yesterday reminded me, things are happening, a Kingdom is being formed, just the way God has it intended to be formed. It is not about moving forward as much as it is about God. How are meeting His goals? How are we doing with His relationships? How are we showing our faith? How are we trusting in Him? 

What a magical time we are living in surrounded by a community of believers who are listening, praying and living a life worthy to be called children of God. Amen.

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.

Did you find Joy?

Where did you find your "joy" this week? For some of us it was easy, but for others not so! But God is good no matter what!

Our week got started off early but participating in a fun event Friday night. Lots of nice presents were brought, met new friends and lots of great exposure for our community. Saturday was no different. We had a group of girl scouts join us on our visits. Our outdoor friends always like meeting new people and sharing their stories with them. Saturday we also had our first? But unfortunately we can't reveal it quite yet?! You will have to wait until next week! Lots of bread was wrapped and stored away. Our Geaux Bags ministry was in full swing with lots of helpers. Lots of Joy on Saturday.

We said goodbye to our school children Wednesday afternoon for their holiday break. The noise level was pretty high as games, snacks and presents were presented to them all! Joyful laughter was all around the center.

Tuesday evening the men and women of the community gathered for Bible fellowship. The men read from Mark 4: 36 - 41, talking about Jesus calming the rough seas. Hard to find Joy when we are going through our storms but knowing God is by our side, Joy will be there.

Pastor Doyle and his church came Thursday evening and brought Joy to us all. Pastor and Ms Abbie led our chapel time, the rest of the congregation served our food, worked in the clothing room, helped in the Market, cleaned the tables and visited with our community. Joy was everywhere Thursday night.

Don't forget to wish our Momma T a very Happy, happy, happy birthday today! She is on the road to find Joy with being with Georgette. May the force be with you all!

For those of you in town, the crew is gathering this morning to turn our center into a festival of lights and gifts. Your help is needed and will be greatly appreciated. Then at 8am Saturday morning, the fun will begin, the Christmas Market will open. Please pray for us all, to remember to have Joy in our hearts as our patience runs out!

I will admit, Joy this week has been hard to find. We have experienced two close deaths. Several of us will go through the holidays without family members. Challenges of life that brings uncertainties. Joy is not the word I would first use.

Last Friday around 2:30, Ardis was notified she was no longer employed by her company. Never, ever good to loose your job, but especially at this time of year. Many of us live from paycheck to paycheck, if we miss one, our world begins to crumble. Ardis is the sole provider with little outside resources, so God will have to carry her through this valley. Prayers will be needed and much appreciated. Joy is not a word I would use in this case, but seeing Ardis turn her life over to Jesus, knowing He has a plan for her, brings Joy to my heart.

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We have lived in our neighborhood since 1977. Many of our neighbors have come and gone but not the man down at the corner. He was always outside working in his yard. We would stop and talk as we pushed our stroller down the sidewalk. As we got to know him, he began to tell us his story. He was always wanting to share Joy with others. Several times during the year, he would dress up as a clown and go visit the children at Shriner's Hospital bringing Joy to the little ones. For 25 years or so, each 4th of July, he would organize a parade around the neighborhood. He had friends at the Fire Department and Sheriff's office. Leading our parades were fire trucks and patrol cars. All the children would decorate their bikes, trikes, wagons, even their dogs and we would all walk behind the blaring sirens and flashlights. Following the parade, we would gather on his manicured lawn for watermelon and hot dogs. In those early years, our homes were full of young children. For several years during Christmas week, he would walk door to door, ring the bell and magically Santa Claus would appear! Our son was so full of Joy as Santa would walk in, give our son a big hug, then ask him, David, just checking to be sure you were a good little boy before I brought your presents to you! A hug and off to the next house, what Joy he would bring to all the children! We lost our neighbor last week. When I drive by his house, I still look to see if I see him. His family, his friends, his neighbors have lost a great person, but knowing he is with his Father, brings Joy to us all.

For the first time, our family will not have the patriarch of the family with us this Holiday season. Our young neice who tragically died will not be with her young children and husband this Christmas season. We are celebrating the life of another neighbor this weekend, who unexpectedly died last week. There are love ones in your families, who will not be with you and your families. Hard to find Joy if we just look at our loss. But if we look at where they are, who they are with, and not having to hurt anymore, then our Joy will return. May we take time to find the Joy in our lives when it is hard to find. Amen.

As we begin the week of the birth of our Savior, Love will be our focus. Love is not hard to find, as long as we focus on the One where our Lvoe comes from! Hope to see you around the center this weekend. Lvoe will be there!

A feeding trough?

Where did you find "peace" this week? What blessings did God surround your home with? God is good!

Another pretty Saturday got our week started off right. Everybody was busy finding peace in unusual places. Standing under an overpass talking to friends who live outside is definately a strange place to find peace but you can! Wrapping bread, cooking lunch, planning strategies, playing basketball, can be places where peace can be found. At every turn, our peace sometimes comes under fire but we need to remember to let it go and fill our hearts with the lvoe of Jesus so our peace will continue to be strong.

I had the opportunity to attend worship at Church at Red River Sunday morning. It was great to see old friends and make new ones. The church has built a wall listing all their ministry opportunities. Common Ground is on their wall! I was able to meet with the pastors, thanking them for their support of our community.

Monday and Wednesday afternoons were busy with our children's activities. We have gotten into a rhythm of the children coming in, putting their backpacks in the rack, sitting down for their snack, going to exercise, listening to a story about Jesus, learning to read better, doing some homework, another snack, playing games outside and then back on the bus! How can you find peace with 20 little ones full of energy, exploring new things, easy, just look at their faces, see the smiles, getting their hugs, doesn't get any better than that!

Monday evening we attended a book signing event at Barnes and Noble given by our long time friend Judy Christie. It was well attended allowing us to be able to give away new books to our children next week.

Tuesday afternoon, myself and Lisa had the opportunity to meet with the new executive director of the Beaird Foundation. The Beaird Foundation was the first organization to take a leap of faith and support our community starting back in 2010. They continue to support us. We were able to share some of our stories as we walked around our campus. At some point Lisa shared, this place has a tendency to change your life. Ms Toya said, I have goose bumps on my arm, I can feel it! She found peace in our stories!

Tuesday evening the men and women of the community gathered for their Bible fellowship. The men had 3 preachers in the circle and everybody got to share! Brother George read from Ephesians 1, talking about us receiving the spiritual blessings of Christ. Do you want to find peace, humble yourself and let Christ in your hearts!

Thursday evening got started with Willie and Ms Abbie leading chapel. Christmas hymns were sung and the Christmas story was told. Our meal was supplied by Brother George's church with several different groups helping us serve and clean up. Many helped in the Market and clothing room to make the night go smoother. We had a special treat, some of the youth from First Methodist came, led by our long time friends of Derek and Heather and sang Christmas hymns during our meal. You say you can't find peace when the noise level is so high, just watch and listen to the community go about their lives on a Thursday night, you will find peace in your heart.

For those in town, don't forget to go support our freinds at the Great Raft brewing company and the Times. As one of my customers said, I don't drink beer. I told her it is not about the beer but about the opportunity to help our community by sharing what God has blessed us with to help others. You will find peace in doing so.

Prayers for those who continue to need healing. Prayers for those who are struggling to find peace this time of year. Prayers for our Board as they prepare to lead us into the new year listening to God's direction for our community. Prayers for a children's chapel director. Our chapel is standing room only and it would help free up some space and help with the noise level if we could start our children's church again.

How many times have we read the Christmas story? How many times have we sung the hymns praising God for what He did? Something hit me Thursday afternoon in chapel as Willie said, Christ was born in a manager. Not the first time I have heard that! Willie goes on to say, that was a nice way of saying, really he was born in a feed trough! A nasty, smelly, feed trough! The King of Kings was born in something we would never ever consider putting our baby in!

Willie continues by saying, when we have a baby, we prepare a room, paint it, sterilize it, get new furniture. We go out and buy a receiving blanket, we buy a new dress or outfit. A friend said, he had to get a shot against the flu before he could hold his grandbaby! There is sanitizer in every room of the house to wash our hands before we hold the newborn. This time of year, we celebrate the birth of Jesus where the baby laid in the worse sanitary conditions imaginable. Why?

Why did God do that? God could have commanded the palaces to open their doors, making a room for the new born baby but God did not do that, he chose a feed trough full of feed, germs and all sorts of dirt. Why? God chose to send angels to tell the lowest persons on earth, shepherds, what was about to happen instead of announcing it with trumpets from the palace gates, why?

Because God lvoes us, the common people of this world. Jesus came for the least of them, he came for us. Many years ago, listening to a leader of the church, he looked at us and said, the radicality of the Bible is in your hands, not the hands of our pastors. All of you have been chosen by God to the building of God's Kingdom by your hearts and your hands. Many of those who are in power, many who have wealth have no room in their hearts for lvoe and sacrifice, you do. God's Kingdom is being built for the least of them, you and me. In the coming year and the years to come, it is our job, to share the peace with others that we find that comes from the lvoe of Jesus! Amen.

 

May we lvoe like Jesus lvoes us in the everyday events of our lives this coming week! You will find the kind of peace that defies all explanation!

Racing through life?

The first week of advent is coming to a close, did you find hope this week? Where did you find it? How did God bless your time with Him this week?

Saturday was another rainy morning. For most of the year, our Saturdays have been dry, not this fall. It is a challenge to the guys living outside to keep things dry and to stay warm. We are able to share with them a hot cup of coffee and some warm conversations, trying to lift their spirits up so they can make it through the week. The basketball team practiced off campus and then enjoyed an Italian lunch provided by Vicki and Tim. The bread was wrapped and stored away for Thursday. A good day to find hope.

Monday and Wednesdays we started back up our afternoon activities. It was great to have our children back with us, seeing their smiling faces and inexhaustible energy. Hope was everywhere!

Tuesday evening, the men and women of the community gathered for Bible fellowship, finding hope in being surrounded by God's amazing people. The men read from Hebrews 12: 1-10.

Wednesday evening, the Board met to hear the many voices of hope being brought to our community. Centenary, South Highlands school, Girl scouts, various churches, all wanting to be a part of our community. Lisa reminded us about the Book Fair being held, Monday, December 7th at Barnes and Noble from 5 - 7. Also, a gathering of people at the Great Raft Brewing company bringing presents for our Christmas Market happening on Friday evening December 11th from 4 - 9. Challenges continue to arise as with any community as you continue to reach out in ways God puts before you. Through careful thoughts and deliberate prayers the Board will meet those challenges providing hope to our community.

Brother Chester and Spencer led chapel Thursday evening to begin our first Thursday of advent finding hope in the singing of Christmas hymns. No matter how often you have sung the hymns, they still bring hope to your heart. Allison and Ms Abbie worked all afternoon preparing our meal, served up by new friends from one of our elementary school's teachers. We had new visitors come by to see our story being unfolded before their eyes. The Market and clothing room stayed busy all night long. Our time together on Thursdays provide hope to all who come.

Continued prayers for all those who are need of healing. Prayers for those who need direction. Prayers for our Board. Prayers for those who need to find hope.

Sorry for the late notice, but we will be having our monthly breakfast this Saturday. The servants at Red River will be working at the Bright House II completing their work on the walls, so Joey will be serving breakfast at 7:30! I was thinking, maybe we could have a second feeding at 8:30 for our later arrivals? Come and meet some special people providing hope through their hands and feet of Christ.

Reading Hebrews this week, most of the time spent in the men's group was on verse 1, the end of the verse saying, . .  "And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith." 

We seem to go through life, reacting to this and that and live our lives that way. Or we go through life living in ways we think we should, or ways we have been told to live. Most of us become angry, bitter, disappointed in the way our life has turned out. We change jobs, move to another city, change relationships thinking life will be better, but usually it does not. We become frustrated, agitated and resentful. As it says in the verse, God has the race marked out for us, we just need to follow it! Pretty simple.

Our son has become a runner. He gets up in the mornings, before the children wake up and runs on his treadmill. Most Saturdays, weather permitting, he takes one of the children in a stroller and runs in the park. He has even joined a running club. They meet regularly to encourage each other, set up running courses and frequently has races. As a by product of all this work, our son has lost weight, eats healthier, feels better and has a better outlook on life.

I just love the verse saying, let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus. When our son runs in these races, he is focused on that little line marking the trail for the race, knowing that if he follows that line he will reach the finish line. Sometimes when he runs in these races, his body will shut down. Only through his perseverance and determination can he fight through those challenges and complete the race. 

The same can be said for us in our spiritual journeys. We need to stay in God's Word to prepare us so we can  stay focused on the race God has laid before us, persevere as challenges come before us, keeping our eyes on Jesus. Then we too will reach the finish line!  No better hope than that! Amen!

Have a great week. For those of you in town, hope to see you at the book store or at the Friday happening.