It is impossible!?

Can't believe it is Friday already! Another great week was enjoyed by us, how was your week! God is good!

Saturday was unusually quiet around the center. A lot of folks were gone, so our activities were very limited. We enjoyed our visits to the camps. Gladly one of our camps found shelter in doors, so they were not there. Our other friends were enduring the heat and mosquitos, very hard. Scott and I talked about how we think this time of year is the worse. The heat is on, mosquitos are every where with no end in sight until September or October, tough, tough life.

Monday was the start of another week at camp, celebrating the wind. Great to see all the children learning about the wind and how it affects us in everything we do. Can't tell you how impressive it is to walk down the halls and see the masterpieces created by our children. They learned to paint like the wind, make sun catchers blowing in the wind, got to feel and see what the wind can do at Sci Port Discovery Center. Someone please take pictures of our hallway, so those who are not in town can see what is being created! God is good!

Tuesday evening, the men gathered for their Bible fellowship, reading from Luke 9: 1-17. The author of the study asked, are we participants or spectators in God's Kingdom?

Thursday evening, we gathered in the chapel to hear Brother Chester and Ms Abbie share their gifts of Word and Song. Allison and Ms Abbie worked all afternoon to prepare our meal, while some new friends from University Methodist church in Lake Charles joined us to serve and clean up. The youth helped in the clothing room and in our Market learning all sorts of interesting things to bring home and tell their church. A good evening, enjoying God's grace.

Also on Thursday, if I may boast for a second, Ginellen and I celebrated 43 years of marriage! 

Basketball games this week:

12 year olds: 6 /27 Monday 8pm at Lakeside

6/30 Thursday 7pm Southern Hills

14 year olds: 6/30 Thursday 10pm Southern Hills

17 year olds: 6/28 Tuesday 9pm Bill Cockrell Park

6/30 Thursday 7pm Lakeshore

The boys, Matt, Vicki and Chuck will enjoying seeing you there!

The study on Tuesday evening caught my eye when he said are we spectators or participants. For the first 3 1/2 years of Jesus' ministry, the disciples were spectators. Then as Jesus was coming to the end of His ministry, he sent them out.  Verse 1 says, he gave them power and authority to drive out all demons and to cure diseases, and he sent them out to proclaim the kingdom of God and to heal the sick. Verse 6, so they set out and went from village to village, proclaiming the good news and healing people everywhere. We need to do the same!

As more and more people come to see what God is doing in our community, they will be spectators. We need to be able to share the good news of what God has done in our lives and then allow our new friends to experience that amazing grace through their actions of serving. God's Kingdom will grow when we move from spectators to participants.

I know it is hard to let go sometimes. We often think we can do it faster or better than someone else can do it. But that is not what God is concerned about. He is not interested in the getting the job done fast. He is interested in getting a new relationship going with Him. I have learned over the years, as we allow others to use their gifts, they are blessed and we are blessed by seeing them grow in their relationship with Jesus.

The second part of the reading was the feeding. What a miracle! The disciples wanted to turn the people away, thinking in human terms, we can not feed this many, but Jesus showed them, when you learn to depend on God, nothing is impossible! We need to understand that!

Our hearts ache to do more for our children of the community. We want to offer hope to those who are without hope. We want to feed, clothe and lvoe everybody we meet in our community. Where is the money going to come from? How can we it do it? We don't have enough help? We are too busy? We don't have time? All these questions are what the disciples were asking at the feeding, nothing has changed over 2000 years.

But Jesus calmly lifted the bread and the fish, looking up to heaven, he gave thanks and broke them, having enough to feed everybody and had some left over! Nothing, nothing is impossible if we depend on God! Amen!

Hope you have a great week, depending on God for everything you do, remembering nothing is impossible as long as we depend on God! Hope to see you at camp this week or at a basketball game, come and enjoy all the fun and excitement.

Prayer

Our summer weather has shown up in a big way! And it's not even summer yet! Hope your week has been a good one, how is the weather in your part of the world?

We got our week started last Saturday with all the blessing of Christ showing up. All the camps are doing ok. Trying to survive the heat and mosquitos. Basketball team was busy with their practices and feedings. Garden work is on going, trying to stay one step ahead of the weeds! The Bright House II gang was busy painting and putting the finally touches on the house. Walked into the Friendship room to find a table full of young students meeting together about our summer camp. What a blessing to see all of God's work in action.

Monday was our first day of summer camp activities. Great to see everything going on, games, crafts, learning, food, snacks. The children are divided into groups making their way around to the different activities. What a blessing to see and hear all the children enjoying themselves so much.

Tuesday evening the men of the community gathered to listen and share what God is doing in their lives. We read from Matthew 6, talking about giving to the needy, prayer, fasting, treasures in Heaven and not worrying. One of the thoughts coming out of our discussions, was being reminded who is in charge of our lives.

Thursday evening, we gathered for our chapel time, meal and groceries. Our friends from Elizabeth Baptist Church brought a multitude of folks to help with the evening. Minister Barbara shared the Word as Ms Abbie shared the songs. A packed house of community members came to enjoy everything. Nice to see it all happening as God has it planned.

Prayers for our camps. With these unbearable temperatures and humidity, life is hard living outside. Jerry said, he would love to wear short pants, but can't because of all the mosquitos. Prayers for the families in Orlando. Prayers for our community. With the hot weather, tempers are at an all time high, resulting in hard feelings. Prayers for God's lvoe to touch us all.

Please contact Matt @ mattwhitehead@bellsouth.net or Vicki @ vickivalentine@bellsouth.net for the game times this week.

Happy Father's Day to all our men of the community. Thank you for all you do for our community.

Reading my devotionals this morning, they all talked about prayer. In the reading of Matthew 6 verses 5 - 15, Jesus talks about praying and the importance of it. Jesus thought prayer was so important, in verses 9 - 13 He gives us the words to pray by. Last night in chapel, we had some hurt feelings, so we stopped what we were doing and prayed. What is prayer? Why is it so important?

Prayer is a way for us to have a conversation with God. Over the years, when we have asked the children to pray, sometimes they don't know what to say. They have the impression they must same something special or religious. We will tell them to have a conversation with God, just like you do with your father or mother. The first line of the Lord's prayer, Our Father in heaven.

Verse 10, your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. This is all about God, His Kingdom, His will on earth. Not mr brian's, not ours, but God's. If we want our community to survive then it must be about God's will.

A couple of paragraphs in Max Lucado's devotional this morning:

Let's pray—most! Did God call us to preach without ceasing? Or teach without ceasing? Or have committee meetings without ceasing? Or sing without ceasing? No, but he did call us to "pray without ceasing" (I Thessalonians 5:17).

Did Jesus declare…my house shall be called a house of study? Fellowship? Music? A house of activities? No, but he did say "My house will be called a house of prayer" (Mark 11:17).  Jesus said, "When two of you get together on anything and make a prayer of it, my Father in heaven goes into action" (Matthew 18:19).

Let's take action this week, the action of prayer. The world needs prayer, needs God's lvoe now more than ever. God's way is the only way out of the mess we are in and unless we pray we will never know what that plan is. Amen.

Have a great week. Come and join in on the fun at summer camp. Let's pray without ceasing this week!

Do I know you?

Is it Friday already? Just had one last week, didn't we!? Hopefully your week was full of God's riches and blessings! Sorry to miss last week. We had our grand children with us all week long. As some of you know, or those who do not have grand children yet, your time is not your own! We were on the road last Friday to Dallas and returned home to collapse from exhaustion and the joy of the past week!

Last Saturday we visited our friends. Turner is fine, talking about the passing of Muhammed Ali. Didn't know Turner was a big fan! Robert shared, one of his former camp buddies passed away. Brad Shy lost his battle with cancer. Brad had been through a lot these past few years. Sad to hear the news. Ogilvie camp was small in numbers. Joey and Jerry were dealing with the health of their dog, Clarence. He is not doing well. We met a group of servants, who visit the camps every week, checking on the camp animals. Hard to make friends you can depend on, living outside, animals provide that support to our friends. This group does a great service to keep the animals as healthy and fed as possible. Garden work continues. Always could use help to pull weeds and plant new seeds. Basketball is in full swing with the new city late night league going on. Bright House II worked continued, making the final touches going on.

Monday through Wednesday, we had the blessing of having one of our long time youth groups visit us. Luke Simpson Methodist church from Lake Charles made their annual trip up here to visit and work around the center. They cleaned, painted, organized, dug, played for three days. What a joy to be able to share in their enthusiasm for our community. We have more youth groups coming. Abbey can always use your help to help lead and get to know the children.

Tuesday afternoon, we were blessed to receive more groceries from our friends from Christ Methodist. Our cupboards was bare and as usual God provides. The groceries were brought by the new associate pastor for Grace. She grew up at Christ Methodist and was excited to see what was going on at our campus. She was looking forward to getting involved at Grace and with us.

Wednesday morning, the children from Grace joined in with the youth from Luke Simpson and helped out around the center.

The men of the community gathered Tuesday evening. Rickie led the discussions from reading Luke 13: 22-30, entering through the narrow door. The Jewish community was asking Jesus, how many will get in. Jesus said, get away from me, I do not know you. Ouch, does Jesus know you? It is not what you do, but why you do it.

We now have a new practice facility open for our basketball teams. First Baptist has opened up their facility to our boys every day so they can practice inside and get out of the heat! What a blessing. Not sure how Vicki and Matt do it, they now have 4 teams. The 14 and 17 year old boys are playing in the city midnight league during the summer. Games start at 9 and 10 in the evenings. I will try to send out a schedule for the coming week. I know they would lvoe to see you at their games. They could also use your help at their meals or just sit down with the boys and visit, always a treat.

Thursday evening was full of activities and people. We had a new friend, one of afternoon tutors, Ms Jackie share the Word. Our new campus friend, Bryce shared his gift of song. Our friends from Clearview Church helped with the meal and with the Market. A good evening.

Prayers for our long time friend Noel. He has hurt his back and unable to get out of bed. Smokey also is having some knee problems prohibiting him from walking for very long. William is back at the nursing home trying to make a go of it, prayers for God to continue to be a presence in William's life. Prayers for our community. Prayers for our camps as the summer days approach, dealing with the heat and mosquitos. 

Congratulations goes out to our own Ms Lisa. She received an award at the Louisiana Supreme Court in New Orleans for all the hard work she has done for our community. Lisa does not get the credit she deserves for all the time and effort she spends keeping things going. It was very nice of the law community to recognize her for all she does for us.

Don't forget, Monday afternoon at 1:30 our summer camp will be starting. An exciting time for everyone involved. Come by for a visit, meet a new friend, guaranteed to put a smile on your face.

As we begin to think about where we are going in our journey, I was reminded about where we have come from. I spent an hour with a couple of ladies Thursday sharing our story. They see what is happening now, but I shared how we did things in the past. Eating our meals on the driveway. Waiting for a phone call on a rainy Wednesday evening about the vote on whether we would get the building. All the ministries being done out of the Bright House after we fixed it up. Being asked to move our meals from the church. Attending meetings, so disgraceful, I can not repeat. Being locked out of rooms in the church. 

Our community is made of people who have a caring heart. You all want to do as much for our community as you can. You see the despair. The anguish. The lost hope. The frustrations. You hurt inside, just like our community does. I was reminded Tuesday evening, in the reading, verse 26, the people will say, we ate and drank with you, and taught in our streets. Verse 27, but he will reply, I don't know you or where you come from. away from me, all you evildoers.

As we think about where God is leading us, we have to all stop for a moment and think about, is what I am doing for Christ or for myself? It is so easy for our pride and egos to step up, when people say, oh what a great job you are doing. As more and more people are beginning to come, they see all the things going on and will say, this is great, ya'll are doing a great job! Our chests pump out, our egos are inflated and we begin to think it is all about me!

All our ministries are doing great things, but is it of God? We can't make that decision, only you can. As we move forward, we are being approached with great ideas, great ministry opportunities, but is it of God? Take a moment in the coming weeks, stop for a moment, find a quiet place and have a conversation with God. Ask Him, is what I am doing, is it your plan God or mine? Ask Him to show you the way He wants you to go? Then listen.

The Jewish community was doing good things. They were doing things their fathers had taught them to do. But they didn't realize, there was more to the story. God was telling them in this parable, you were doing the right things but for the wrong reasons. Only out of our relationship with Jesus, will we know the directions we need to go. This is God's Kingdom, not ours. Amen.

After your quiet time with Jesus, let Lisa know what God shared with you. Let her know what direction God has placed on your heart for the next step in our journey. Then if it is of God, things will happen as it has in the past. Have a great week. Lvoe to all!

i am the Lord your God

Good rainy morning to all. Hope your week was filled with the many blessings God has for us all! Our Internet at home is down, so not sure when or if this note will be able to get sent out. Maybe that is a good thing!

 

Saturday was another day of fun and excitement. Lots going on all over the campus and beyond. Worked continued at the Bright House II, with the finishing touches happening. God continues to bring folks into the community that want to share what God has blessed them with, so the Bright House II has new furniture all throughout the house! 

 

Our visits to our friends living outside went well. Everybody seems to be doing ok. Robert was in a festive mood. He is trying to slow up on his alcohol intake to help his body heal to a point where he can have surgery. He challenged me to a putt putt golf match and swore he would beat me bad! Ogilive camp continues to have some challenges but slowly coming around. Turner continues to be Turner!

 

Work continued in the garden, looking so pretty. Momma T has begun to create a sanctuary in the prayer garden. Our first cross and flowers have been added to begin the process of changing a dark, messy area to one of tranquility and peace.

 

Basketball team was busy practicing getting ready for summer league play. The kitchen was busy preparing for their lunch.

 

Tuesday evening the men gathered for their Bible fellowship. Noel lead the reading from Leviticus 19. God giving the people of Israel directions on how to live their lives.

 

Another rainy, dreary evening was happening on Thursday, but that didn't stop the community from coming. We got started off with a special chapel of song and praise. Spencer brought a friend of his, a young lady to sing for the community. Brother could she sing! Brother George said, I have never heard the chapel so quiet, as the community was mesmerize by her praising God through her gift of voice! A great meal was prepared and lots of servants showed up to help us serve and clean up. The Market was busy with servants turned shoppers to help our community decide on their groceries. Even though we got wet outside, it was nice and dry inside, full of lvoe and laughter.

 

Continue your prayers for Willie as he continues to deal with his kidney problems. He has had several operations and will need more. He said to tell everybody he lvoes you all. Prayers for William is needed as he deals with his addictions. Prayers for Jim C for a quick recovery from surgery on his hand.

 

Being around the center everyday now, I am amazed to see all that is going on. People continue to come. Tours given by Abbey and Lisa, sharing what God is doing in and around our community. Meetings to talk about how we can help our children be the best they can be. Truly a blessing from God as He continues to bring people into our lives and community..

 

I will admit, I have not read the Old Testament as much as I have read the New. Tuesday evening reading Leviticus 19, I was amazed to read what God was telling His people. They had been wandering for 40 years, now they were at a place where they could set up their homes and start families. Rules like you should revere your father and mother. Do not turn to idols. You should share your harvest with the poor. You shall not steal. You shall not cheat your neighbor. You shall not gossip. You shall not take vengeance, not hate. You shall love your neighbor as yourself!

 

These are just a few of God's directions, take a moment and read what advise God was sharing. Leviticus was written around 1400 BC! With the birth of Jesus around 2000 years, 3400 years ago, God was telling us how to live! Those same decrees apply today! As Brother Chester shared in chapel Thursday, we have strayed away from God's teachings and the world is a mess.

 

The other thought that came to mind, all through this passage, God says, I am the Lord or I am the Lord your God. Reminding the people, it is not about you but about me. I lvoe you and want the best for you, so if you follow these laws, your lives will be blessed. Read chapter 19 and count how many times God said this? Over and over, reminding the people who was in charge, who knows best, who knows!

 

As I was thinking about all of this this week, I had a thought, instead of making New Year's resolutions, we should read Chapter 19. We have strayed. We have tried to please everybody and in turn please no one. God knew our faults, our indiscretions, our pride, He lvoes us so much He took all the guess work out of us making any laws, providing a way we could live in community peacefully.

 

What a blessing to be a part of a community that tries to live the way God intended us to live. Thank you all for being the hands and feet of Christ and providing a way, not by you, but through the Holy Spirit. As God shared with His people 3400 years ago, I am the Lord, your God. Yes He is! Amen.

 

Have a great Memorial Day weekend. Enjoy your family and friends. God is so good, He is the Lord!

Kindness

A rainy, cloudy morning in our part of the world, how is life with you?!

Out of town last Saturday, so can't report on all the activities going on. I do know work is about to be completed on the Bright House II. Pictures will be coming, just beautiful to see what God has done through the servants of Church at Red River.

We continue to prepare for the opening of summer camp. Getting all the forms signed, children lined up, teachers and interns registered, exciting times ahead. All the fun begins, Monday June 13th, come and join us.

Tuesday evening the men gathered for fellowship and discussions lead by Rickie as he read from 2 Samuel 9: 1 - 4. King David was looking to do something kind for someone, who can we find to do the same?

Thursday evening was a rainy one, but full of activities happening. The medical van from St Luke's got the evening started off. Brother George and Ms Abbie led chapel. Brother George's church provided the meal, while others helped in the Market, clothing room and the dining hall. It was a good evening dispite the rain.

Continued prayers for William as he struggles with his addictions. Prayers for our community and our relationships.

In the passage read Tuesday night, King David was looking for a family member of a friend. They found a young man, the son of his friend. King David, said, I want to show God's kindness to him. So David gave him land and a place to eat at the King's table. A young man, living out in the wilderness, crippled, is now a land owner and treated like a king himself. God's kindness is beyond what man can do.

We are God's people. God can't do it himself. He has to use us to show His kindness. We have to allow that kindness inside of us, the kindness of the Spirit to flow through us to others. If we do, amazing things will happen!. Amen.

What acts of kindness will you experience this week, as you allow the Holy Spirit to flow through you!

All the time, God is good!

Good morning to all! Hope you all had a great week. God is so good!

Saturday was busy as usual. Visits, hammering, planting, playing, cooking, eating, laughing, crying, sorting, cleaning, hugging can be found in and around our next of the woods. Won't you come and join in next week? So much to do and so little time to do it! All for the glory of God, because He is so good!

Not sure I like our afternoon school children not being around. The place is way too quiet! Lisa, Joey, Bryce and Emily are gearing up for our summer camp opening, so our quiet times will soon come to an end! Please let these folks know if you would like to be a part of the fun, guaranteed to change your life! Ask any of our summer interns from years past!

Tuesday evening was also quiet, with an unusual absence of most of our men. That won't last long as we will gather again this Tuesday. Men, if you are looking for a place to talk about what God is doing in your life, please join us at 6:30 in the chapel.

We had a nice visit with one of our original community members this week. Dr Phil was in town to visit family and attend a wedding for one of their children in Oklahoma. Grant is getting married! Dr Phil is doing well, going to school in Colorado, learning all sorts of things about God through scripture, traveling to visit his family all across the country. He is working on a new project, we all may get to enjoy in the coming months?!

Wednesday evening, our Board met. First time for me to be in awhile. So much going on, it is hard to catch a breath. The Give for Good numbers are in and we were blessed to recieve around $8000 in donations! Is God good or what! Many plans are in the works for more of God's blessings for the community. We are beginning to again get requests for youth groups to visit us this summer, such a blessing. There are challenges ahead, but the Board is coming together to meet those challenges and move along the path God is creating for them.

Thursday evening was a blessing for us all. We had our long time pastor friend, Pastor Eddie come by to share the Word. Ms Abbie and a long time friend Pop led us in song. Allison and Outdoor Joey prepared our tater tot casseroles and Mary brought our salad and dessert. Lots of help serving and cleaning up, helping our community shop in the Market and clothing room, a good evening.

Thursday evening, our young family, David and Elizabeth McCormick were commissioned by the Methodist Global Ministries to become missionaries to Africa. David will become Hospital Administrator of Chicuque Rural Hospital, Mozambique. Elizabeth will be the pharmacist for Chicuque Rural Hospital. Can you imagine the stories they will have when they return. We hate to loose them, but so excited for their new adventures God has planned for them.

Prayers for our longtime friend William. Joey went to be with him at the nursing home for family night. Joey was told William has gone back to a treatment center. William has come a long way from his addictions, but he is still fighting them. Prayers for one of our pastors, Willie. He has been sick for the past couple of months, weak and run down. They are trying to build up his strength for an upcoming surgery. Prayers for Joe Barefield. He cut his leg really bad and needs prayers for his recovery of the wound. Prayers for one of outdoor friends Robert. He did not have surgery because the doctors determined his body is too run down. Robert said to us, I guess I will just wait around until I die. Prayers for our new old friend Jim C. He had hand surgery this week. I told him Thursday, I guess we won't be able to understand a word he says with only one hand to tell us what you are saying!

I was reminded this week of how good God is. We get so busy doing God's work, we sometimes forget to stop and listen. The work is good work, but our relationships are more important. I typed into my search engine for my Bible app, God is good. Psalm 73:1 says, Surely God is good to Israel, to those who are pure in heart. 1 Timothy 4:4, For everything God created is good, and nothing is to be rejected if it is received with thanksgiving. Genesis 1:31, God saw all that he had made, and it was very good.

God doesn't make junk. God made us in His image. We all have a purpose. We all are important to Him. We all are lvoed by Him. Everything belongs to God, everything. God has a plan for us, for our community, for our city, for our nation. It is up to us to determine how we fit into that plan. God's plan will get done whether we do it or not. His Kingdom will be built. God's Kingdom gets built by His servants. His Spirit works in and through us to bring about the grace He shares with us all. 

For all these years in our community, we have tried to follow God's direction. When God is ready for us to take the next step, He puts people in our lives to make it happen. He continues to bless our community to this very day. I hear stories from Jim and John in their journey to resurrect the Bright House II about how they have a need for a carpenter, a tile setter, a craftsman and magically they appear! Of course we know where the magic comes from!

This week, with the rising temperatures, one of our houses air conditioning went out. A new friend of our community just so happens to be a repairman on a/c units! Guess who we called! They take time out of their busy schedules, after hours, time away from their families, to help us out. You don't find that kind of compassion outside of God's Kingdom.

Over and over you hear stories of people coming to the center, or seeing our basketball team, or learning of our outdoor friends visits, tutoring in the afternoons, summer camps for the children, chapel time, our Market, clothing room, resurrecting a house. People are move by what they see or hear or experience. It is all of you, allowing the Holy Spirit to work in and through you that creates such a community. Is all about God, working in your hearts, enabling you to show the lvoe, not seen in many places.

Be aware of who God is bringing to us. Stop what you are doing, sit down and visit with them. Listen to their hearts, hear their voices. It will make our next steps, so much easier and so many will be blessed! It is all about working together, listening to each other, learning from one another that will allow us to continue this magnificent journey we are on. Amen!

Have a blessed week. God is so good, isn't He!

Relationships

What a glorious morning God has provided for us! How can we use it to glorify His name?!

We had a great Saturday to get our week started off. We had a big group from Church at Red River working most of the day at the Bright House II. The flooring was being installed, kitchen cabinets were hung, trim was painted, relationships were formed. We had a group from Woodbridge Baptist church join us on our visits to our friends living outside. Prayers are needed for one of our camps. A camp where the drama has not been a problem, reared it's ugly head and our friends were suffering. Prayers for Robert as he goes into the hospital for some corrective surgery this coming week. Momma T and her gang of garden angels worked hard all morning long. Vicki, Matt and Chuck continued their work with their young people on the basketball court and with life.

Monday and Wednesday we continued our work with the children. Unfortunately Wednesday afternoon was our last time with our children for this school year. Hard to believe we are winding down to the end of another school year. What a great experience it has been this year.

Monday afternoon, we were blessed to receive a huge donation of food from one of our local churches, Christ United Methodist church. 

Tuesday morning, we hosted an event given by our friend KC Kilpatrick with her Geaux Bags. Many dignitaries from the city and the court system were in attendance. We got to meet with many of them, to share our story and introduce them to our community.

Tuesday evening the men's Bible fellowship watched a movie covering the talk given by a pastor talking about the immense heavens God has created.

Thursday evening, our new friend Jacoby shared the Word in chapel, with our new friend Bryce sharing his gift of song. Allison and Ms Abbie worked hard all afternoon creating a wonderful meal for our community. The Market was full of food for our community to shop from. A good evening.

I want to wish all our Mom's out there a special wish of lvoe for all you do for our community. Thinking about our leaders, most are women, who take time our of their busy lives, away from their families to lead and share God's lvoe with us all. We want you all know, you are lvoe by us and by God for being the hands and feet of Christ in His Kingdom.

Not sure where I am going with this, but God is up to something big! As many of you know, I am no longer on the Board of Directors. I always enjoyed the parts of Lisa's meetings where we got to hear what God was doing in the lives of the directors in our community, I don't get to hear that anymore, it is my fault. The next Board meeting I plan to attend!

I was at the function given on Tuesday morning. I ended up in the kitchen at one point and there stood a young lady eating a piece of yummy pie with a Common Ground shirt on. I had no clue who she was! I introduced myself to her, and she began to share she is the new liaison of the schools with the basketball team. She has dreams of what she wants to see happen in our community. My heart was over joyed with her excitement.

As I left the gathering, I reflected on that meeting and other new faces I am beginning to see. I worked in the sound booth at Grace for many years. In doing so, I attended all the services. Many times on Sunday, not my normal day to come to worship, people would ask, are you new to Grace? Or I would say to someone, you must be new here? Many times the person would say, nope, been coming for several years!

In the beginning of our journey into this community, there was just a handful of people who would take time to join us at our meals. Everybody knew everybody because the numbers were small. Grace was small in the beginning and most people knew each other. Over time, Grace moves into the new building, new people began to come. Grace expands to other worship times and days, new sunday school classes, and that personal relationships began to dwindle. Small groups were formed to keep those relationships growing.

I see Common Ground beginning to grow in that direction. New faces, new opportunities, new challenges all coming together. If we are not careful, we can become too splintered and loose those relationships we use to have. We use to have a weekly Bible study. The study was nice but really it was about us coming together for an hour and sharing what God was doing in our lives. We need to be sure we are connected to each other through Christ.

Mr Brian is growing older by the moment. It won't be long, his presence will not be around. You are the new leaders of what God is about to do in our community, you need to face it together. It is so easy to stay busy and forget it is not about the busyness but about relationships. Stop for a moment, sit down with each other and share what God is up to in your life. God is up to something big and He will need us all working together to make it happen! Amen.

Happy Mom's Day! Have a great week!