Relationships

Is God good or what!? Not sure where you are all in your life's journeys, but rest assured God is with you!

Friday evening, the Board of Common Ground and friends shared a meal and their hearts on what makes Common Ground special. Then Sarah led us on a journey through time as we shared some of the beginnings of Common Ground and traveled along the river of life to the present. Amazing to see all the people who have been a part of this adventure. Saturday morning the Board continued their journey as they talked about where God is leading us. Exciting times ahead!

Saturday morning, as Scott and Shawn went around visiting our friends living outside, they introduced their new visitor to them, mr brian! It was great to see our friends. Over these past few years, we have learned so much from our friends. Saturday was another blessing! Z who blesses us with meals to take to the guys, gave us some frozen cuts of meat she had left over. As our friends went through the meats, you would have thought we had brought them a million dollars! Turner had to go through every item, to pick out just the right cut for him. One camp, could not wait to get their fire going, and then they said, we are going to invite others to come and share our food! Isn't that amazing! Someone who has nothing, wanting to share with others their blessing! Wow, we were overwhelmed with the generosity of our friends! Smokey is still at the VA recovering.

Hate to say, but this was our last week with our children in the afternoons. Testing starts next week for the kids, so we said goodbye for this year. What a treat it has been to get to know each one of our children. Relationships that were formed will last a life time. Prayers for Allison and her family with the passing of her mother. 

Tuesday evening the men of the community gathered for food and fellowship. Brother Rickie sharing the Word from Deuteronomy 11. Verse 13 says, "If you faithfully obey the commands I am giving you today-to love the Lord your God and to serve him with all your heart and with all your soul- then I will send rain on your land in its season . . " God wants to bless us, He wants the best for us, we just have to be faithful!

Thursday evening was magical. Not sure what was in the water, but chapel was special. Brother George got us started with praises from the community, Ms Abbie led us in song, Brother Chester shared the Word, the community was praising like no other time I had heard! We had lots of help with our meal and The Market. It was a blessed night. To top it off, we took Joey and Jerry to their new apartment! They had a chair and a couch but to listen to them you would think they had just moved into a castle! As we drove them to their new place, the excitement in their voices, oh look there is Dairy Queen! a book store! the bank! a hospital across the street! New surroundings, new beginnings, hopefully a new start!

I told Sarah, I did not sleep much Friday night, thinking of all the names I left off her river of life display. Common Ground is not about programs, not about things, not about projects, it is about people, relationships. Sarah had asked the group to break down the time line into people, events, ministries. She had colors for each category. As we completed our time line, she asked what color was the most dominant on the board? By far, the color which represented people, was the most prevalent. Our journey started in 1995, not many of us around now, but it was humbling to see the names of everybody who has been a part of our community.

One of the names I had not remembered Friday night, one I had left off, walked into the center Tuesday afternoon. They had not been to the building in eleven years! They were leaving St Vincent mall, normally taking another route to get on I 49, decided for some reason to get on the 70th st entrance. As they past by the building, they saw cars along the street, they stopped. As I was walking down the hallway on my way to see Smokey, a figure walked through the doors. I said Hi, how are you doing and kept walking. Then this person turned and said, Brian! I looked again, and it was Anna Jackson! 

Ms Anna was the first lady of Faith United Methodist church. She always had a heart for our community, always a huge supporter of our ministry, was always there for us. Every Sunday morning, during announcement times at church, she would tell the congregation what was going on with Kitchen Angels, or tutoring, asking for the congregation to get involved. I remember one of our young girls who came for tutoring, always showed up in dirty or mismatched clothes. Ms Anna would take her into the clothing room or always had clothes for her to wear. Ms Anna always had a smile for everyone! I asked her if she had a few minutes to show her around her building. She said she had 15 minutes or so.

So we walked and talked. She remembers the old, dark walls in the dining hall, now bright and inviting. The dark paneling in the kitchen. She was amazed to see the expanded, cheerful kitchen we now have. The church parlor is now a place where children can learn. The pastor's office is where the library is, allowing the children to create all sorts of adventures. She  was excited to see The Market, to hear about where it is a place where our community can shop, not a place where forms are filled out and a bag given to them. An hour later, we sit in the new, colorful chapel talking about the last eleven years!

Common Ground is about people, about relationships, about Jesus. The relationships we are making today will last a life time. The last eleven years for Ms Anna has been hard, but Jesus has brought her though it. Jesus has brought us this far, He will not leave us if we do not leave him. How exciting it is to be a part of something so special, unique and full of life! Amen!

Have a great week. Enjoy all Jesus has for you! God is good!

What's up?!

Another week in the books! Almost the end of April, 4 months gone in this new year, wow! God is busy!

Easter Sunday, Momma T, Ms Abbie and Joey continued our tradition of sharing God's lvoe with our neighbors in the form of eggs, hiding them throughout the neighborhood. Always a good time and a blessing to all!

Saturday we continued our visits to our friends living outside. Some have moved inside, others are waiting for that to occur, but we still visit them. Even though they are inside, most friends have no income, so the food we bring is a necessity. Scott continues his vigil every Saturday by making sure our friends are lvoed on for a few moments. Smokey had his foot surgery, Thursday morning, seems to be doing fine. Prayers for a speedy recovery.

We only got to visit with our children in the afternoon on Wednesday of this week, Monday was a holiday. Not sure but, I think the noise level was a little higher Wednesday with all the excitement of the children as they learned, played and ate! Great to have them with us. Prayers for Alison and her mom. Her mom is not doing well at the moment.

Tuesday evening, the men of the community gathered for some good food and good fellowship. We read from Deuteronomy Chapter 11. We read 13 verses but didn't get very far as we talked about lvoing the Lord your God! Smokey said, he had a surprise visit from Noel Wednesday afternoon. Noel continues to heal from his neck surgery. Willie Jackson came by to see Smokey. Prayers for Willie as he continues his dialysis treatments.

Coach Chuck, Matt and Vicki continue their unbelievable schedules of games, tutoring, and practices. As Chuck said, if we don't keep the boys busy they will fall back into their old ways.

Thursday evening was different. One of our basketball boys had a seizure outside. He had not taken his medication. Then later on, we had an incident with a couple of neighbors reminding us, even though God has created a safe place, Satan is still busy trying to disrupt the atmosphere. Z and Ms Abbie created a feast of meats for our meal, The Market and clothing room was busy all night long. Ordered was restored and the night went along, ending on a high note, with a first time visitor coming up to us saying, thank you for all you do.

Prayers for the Board as they come together to discern God's direction for Common Ground Friday night and Saturday morning.

Love and Obey the Lord, is the heading of Chapter 11 in Deuteronomy. If you love them, don't you want to obey them? God lvoes us, He had done so much for us, we should gladly, willingly want to keep his requirements, his decrees, his laws and his commands.

Looking back on where we have come from as followers of Jesus with our community, what a ride it has been! Meeting new people, learning from our neighbors, trying to understand the pressures of living in poverty, seeing our children grow up to young adults. Seeing our young girls becoming new moms, our boys learning about the trials of life. The lack of education, health and money issues, poor job opportunities, inadequate housing choices, addictions of all kinds, just some of life we have experienced over these past few years.

Common Ground has been a part of all of these challenges. From a group of followers sitting around a table, wondering what God wanted us to do. Some of us stepping out of our comfort zones to go visit people living outside. Others wanting to help the children. Some wanting to feed. A few wanting to care for their health. At times we were chastised for feeding the poor, being asked to leave the church, being homeless but not alone. People of authority saying we were never going to make it, not raining for two years on Wednesdays, funding coming when there was none.

Verse 7, the people were reminded, "But it was your own eyes that saw all these great things the Lord has done." And here we are! A place where God has created, where young and old, rich and poor, black and white can come together and be in community. A place where the people of God can come and live out what they are reading in the Bible. A place where you can find lvoe not love. A place where you can get a hug and not expect anything in return. A place where judging is left to God.

God had done this, not us. Yes it has been our hands and feet, our sweat, our passion, but it is not ours but God working in and through us.

It has been an amazing ride. One I have been proud to be a part of. And now I am looking forward to what God has in store for us in the future. He continues to bring people of God into our mist, creating something unique and special, creating a Kingdom where He will say, I am well pleased! Amen!

He is risen!

Good Friday! Never liked this Friday to be called Good, when Jesus suffers so on this day, but it is what He had to do, so we could have life with him. Thank you Lord for loving us, so much! Indeed a Good Friday!

I will have to change my updates for awhile because, we are spending time with our grand children on the weekends, so I am not around as much, as Scott and Shawn will a test to! Jerry and Joey seem to be moving in the right direction to getting an apartment. Still waiting for a phone call to load up the truck! Smokey's leg began to swell again, so they operated on him. He was doing ok Tuesday. His toes are not the color they should be so more conversation about removal of them is continuing. Smokey would like to move to the VA hospital as soon as he can. He feels more at home there.

Monday and Wednesday afternoon we met with our school children. Wednesday, they colored Easter eggs and made crosses. You can see the crosses on the table in the Market waiting room. They are beautiful.

Tuesday evening, the men of the community met to talk about God and listen to Brother Rickie share the Word, reading from Joshua 24. Rickie, for the last several weeks has been asking for prayers for an upcoming surgery to repair his back from his car accident. He went in for x rays to see the damage. To the amazement of the medical staff, the damage was gone! Rickie was praising God for his miraculous healing! Carl was back with us after recovering from his injury.

Thursday evening was full of adventure and excitement. We had some new friends spend the morning with us decorating the tables in the dining hall. Later on, they came back and helped hide our Easter eggs on the grounds. Ms Abbie got the evening started leading us in song. Then our local pastor shared a few Words of encouragement leading us into our meal and The Market. We had lots of help serving, cleaning up and shopping. The children were released at 6 pm and a mad dash out to the green area was made! Everybody seemed to have a good time.

Don't forget our annual Easter "egg" -travagansa in the neighborhood will be Sunday morning. We will meet at the center around 6:30 am, awaiting sunrise at 6:45. We have eggs or if you want to bring some you are welcomed to do so. Momma T will be there to lead us. Everybody is welcomed to join in on the fun. 

Joshua was reminding the people of Israel what God had done for the Jewish nation. Took them away from slavery, saved them over and over, provided for them, reminding them how great God is. 

We forget sometimes, maybe take for granted, the many blessings God has showered down on us. As Common Ground begins to discern God's direction in our journey, we sometimes forget where we started from. A group of people, sitting around a table, talking about life, talking about God, praying, listening to each other, listening to God, wondering what we should be doing. Building relationships with the children of the community, then meeting their moms. Learning from them, seeing their struggles, feeling their pain, allowing God to work in and through us to provide comfort, hope and lvoe.

Not sure we had a plan, not sure we knew what we were doing, not sure we had the money, but we just did it! Years later, we can see, I can see the hand of God in all that we accomplished, because most of what we did was beyond anything we could have ever done on our own.

This Holy weekend, God lvoing us so much, He asked His son to die for us, so that we can have life with Him, is the same God who will carry Common Ground into the next steps in our journey. He will bless us, beyond our wildness imaginations as long as we stay focused on Him. Joshua said to the people, "But for me and my household, we will serve the Lord." Let's serve the Lord and let Him lead us along our paths! Amen!

Humility

On the calendars spring has come, but God has had other ideas. Azaleas bushes have just about all bloomed out, dogwood trees are all full, birds and the squirrels have been busy building nests for weeks! Gorgeous time of the year! Thank you Jesus!

We had our March Madness already as our Cedar Grove Chargers were playing in the championship game last Saturday. Unfortunately, the other team made a desperation shot at the end of the game to win. A big disappointment to the boys and coaches, but a great season of building of character took place. Thank you all for your attendance, support and prayers for our team. Everybody was doing well at the camps. Lots of good food was served from our kitchen in the form of to go boxes.

Monday we welcomed our children for our afternoon tutoring session. Unfortunately the school was closed Wednesday due to a rash of illnesses, so we missed our kids. Spring breaks next week, so the center will be quiet for a week!

Tuesday evening the men of the community gathered to discuss what God is doing in their lives as Brother George read from Philippians 2, imitating Christ's humility. Are we doing that?

Thursday evening, Bryce and Ms Abbie got us started in chapel praising God. Brother Chester shared the Word. We then enjoyed Mexican night in the dining hall, with tacos and all the trimmings provided by Z and Ms Abbie. The Market was stocked full of groceries and the clothing room was being shopped all night long. We had lots of help from our friends at Elizabeth Baptist church, so everything flowed smoothly. A fun evening.

Prayers for our long time friend Noel. He was involved in a car wreck Wednesday evening and is in the hospital. Continued prayers for Abbey as she continues to struggle with her health. Joe Barefield is back at home after a couple of days in the hospital. 

Have those of you who go to Grace on Sundays, ever wonder what it would be like to go to a Saturday night service? This weekend would be a great time to try. We have the Simple Church coming Sunday morning from 9:30 - noon to work around the center. We could use your help and supervision! We have lots of projects for them to do, so we need lots of help to show them where everything is!

Imitating Christ's humility, hard thing to do. Verse 3, do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Not possible if we are in this business for ourselves. Then verse 3 continues, rather, in humility value others above yourselves, verse 4, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.

During my wife's health issues these past several years, I tell people, the only time I see her smile is when our grandchildren are around. Yes some of it is the grandchildren, but mainly it is we are putting first the kids and focusing our efforts on them, not on ourselves. We receive the blessings of the lvoe of our grand kids. Jesus is asking us to do the same for others.

One of our guys Tuesday night shared some of his past. 20 years ago, drugs and alcohol ruled his life. He was living in abandoned houses, under bridges, stealing, living a life of utter depravity. He didn't care who he hurt or what it took to get his next fix or bottle. He was in Mobile, with nothing to eat, smelling from the oppressive heat and no shower, his feet were beginning to get sores on them. He made his way to a shelter where he knew they gave out clothes and food. He went in, asking a lady for a pair of socks. She said, Sir, I don't know if we have any but I will look. She came back and said Sir, I don't have any that match but will you take these two that don't? He gladly did and walked out. 20 years later, our new Christian brother still remembers this act of kindness from a stranger, living a life imitating Christ's humility.

Verse 8, shares how Jesus lived a life as a servant, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to death-even death on a cross! We are asked to be obedient in our journeys. We will have questions, we will wonder, we will not understand sometimes where God had placed us. But God know, He only asks us to be obedient.

The last thing that struck me listening to our brother share his story, was becoming a servant. We often think of being a servant as a lowly occupation. In the world it is, but not in God's Kingdom. Jesus could have been anybody he wanted to be, a king, a ruler, but he chose, he chose to be a servant. Being a servant should be what we strive to be, not something we have to be.

As our brother shared his story, tears came to his eyes, all our eyes. He stopped for moments in his story to compose himself, as the tears flowed. This lady, being obedient in her journey, imitating Christ's humility, was still having an effect on our brother 20 years later.  She called him Sir, when he felt he was not worthy to be called Sir. She took time to show him compassion. We never know what kind of effect we will have on others because it is not us that is showing lvoe it is the Christ within us showing the lvoe. As we all know, Christ can do amazing things, if we just get out of the way and let Him go! Amen.

Have a great weekend, hope to see you at the center Sunday morning. Let's practice imitating Christ's humility this week and the weeks to come!

The Body

Is it me or did God's masterpiece of flowers and trees come into full bloom this week! For our friends who are living in the north country, we feel for you, but it is beautiful in our part of the world! Thank you Jesus!

My first thought this morning is for our friends and families who are hurting. Please keep Abbey Rubel in your prayers. She is having health problems that are keeping her away from her community. Long time friend, Pete asked for prayers for him and his wife Cari as she continues to struggle with her disease. The chemo treatments have stopped working so they will be starting another stem cell therapy the first of May. One of our leaders in our tutoring activities, Linda Cox is having health problems. In and out of the hospital this past week.

A large gathering of men of the community gathered Tuesday evening, as Joey led the discussion concerning Job. Joey asked in the beginning of the study, who would want God to say to Satan, " have you considered my servant Job, there is no one on earth like him, he is blameless and upright, a man who respects God and shuns evil." Everybody said, you betcha! Then Job goes through all he went through for God. Joey asked, how many of us now want to be like Job? No takers! Sometimes it is hard to be a follower of Jesus?!

We missed our chance with our children Monday afternoon, due to transportation problems, but we got to meet with them Wednesday. No matter where you are in the center, you can always tell when the children arrive! The sweet sounds of life accompany them along with their enthusiasm!

Wednesday evening the Board met to talk about the many activities Common Ground is involved with. God is at work in our community with many, many exciting possibilities in the future.

Thursday evening, we gathered to share the Word, music, food, groceries, clothing, games. Brother George shared the Word, Ms Abbie shared the music, Z shared the food, the Market shared the groceries, and the clothing room opened the doors to the community. Everybody having a good time.

The Cedar Grove Chargers have had a busy week, playing games in the playoffs. They won Tuesday and Thursday evenings, putting them into the finals Saturday. Not sure of game time Saturday. Vicki, could you let us know. Please try to support the boys and their coaches by attending the game if you can.

Several Saturdays ago, we were blessed to have Momma T join us in our visits to the camps. She wanted to share the blood and body of Christ, as she served communion to our friends living outside. All our friends participated in the receiving of the bread and juice, reminding us all, who's is the Body of Christ.

It was a powerful statement. The "church" going to the people where they were, just as they were, who they were. Brother George reminded us in chapel Thursday, Jesus has taken the sins of the world upon his shoulders and died for us all, so that we might have life eternally with Him. We don't have to clean up our act. We don't have to get all dressed up. We don't have to go into a building. We just have to say, here I am Lord, I am yours. We can't change, we have tried, only God can change us. He will change us from inside out!

Being a part of our community puts us in a position where we have the opportunity to share the lvoe of Christ with those who may never feel worthy to step foot in a church building. Wouldn't that be a shame for our community, to never experience the blessings of our Lord and Savior! So continue to give out hugs, to listen, to laugh, to give hope, to lvoe because we are all the Body of Christ! Amen!

Our refuge and strength

March wind is blowing here. It was a good week, how was yours?

We have become the hit of the camps these past few months. Z and Brother George have blessed us with meals to take to the camps, so we heat them up Saturday morning and share our blessings with the guys and gals. They get to enjoy a warm, delicious meal, indeed a blessing. Just as Scott and I were thinking this ministry is drawing to a close, God continues to bring new friends into our lives. We don't go looking for new friends, they find us! Everybody seemed to be doing well. We have a special treat for them this week?!

Monday and Wednesday we continued to meet with our children in the afternoons, learning all sorts of things from them. With this pretty weather we are having, some spring time fever has crept in, making sitting and learning a challenge!

Tuesday evening, the men of the community came together, as Brother Rickie shared God's Word, reading from Psalm 46, God is our refuge and strength. Is He for you?

Later in the evening, our Cedar Grove Chargers were winning their ninth basketball game of the season! Coach Chuck is waiting to hear about the playoff schedule. We will let you know as soon as it is available.

Thursday evening in chapel, Joey prepared our hearts, as our longtime friend Pete and Pastor Kaylan marked our foreheads with the sign of the cross, as we prepared for the Lenten season. Z and Ms Abbie prepared our meal, friends served and cleaned up. The Market was busy with our community finding all sorts of treasures!

Prayers for our family members, Elizabeth and David McCormick, as they help their community recover from a terrible typhoon that hit that area of Africa.

Verse 10 of Psalm 46, God says, "Be still, and know that I am God; As it was talked about Tuesday evening, Psalm 46 is about God and who He is. No matter what happens in our world, God will still be God. Who is in charge, of your life, your world?

I was reminded again Thursday night, it is not about us but about God. We have been placed in a community where there is more darkness than light. Most of the time we are blessed to see the light, but at times we experience the darkness. It is no fun to be in the mist of the darkness, so how do we get out? How do we find that light? We have to be still and know that God is with us.

I was reminded Thursday evening, we have come along way in our passion to share the lvoe of Christ with our community. But we also have a long way to go in our journeys. God's work is never done and never will be. In this mornings Common Prayer reading, "Pandita Ramabai, a nineteenth-century Indian activist, said, -"People must not only hear about the kingdom of God, but must see it in actual operation, on a small scale perhaps and in imperfect form, but a real demonstration nevertheless."

We have the opportunity today, tomorrow and beyond to share the Word of God to our community. We not only get to share it in words but get to live it out through our lvoe. There will be times when it seems no one is listening or seeing. Then there will be other times when we have the opportunities to see the blessings of God. When we experience the challenges before us, verse 11 reminds us, The Lord Almighty is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress. Amen

Where do you find God?

Is it spring yet!? Here it is February, temperatures in the 80's, flowers and trees are blooming, the birds are singing, squirrels are making nests, can it be spring? Thank you God for this day, for this time, for this life!

Another busy Saturday got our week started. We visited our friends living outside. As Shawn and Scott mentioned as our morning concluded, God is needed! Robert, who has been living inside for several months now, is having medical problems. His past is catching up to him. He loves the Lord, is not worried about the end of his life, but also, when you face your mortality, life becomes precious. As Robert spoke of his problems, his tears of concern began to flow. He said, he knew he had a mission for the rest of his life. That mission was to share with others to not live a life style he once did. To turn the lives over to Christ. The next camp, more of the drama we have been seeing the last several weeks. Alcohol was prevalent again, with many unable to stand or barely able to be coherent. One of our long time friends, finally able to get up, comes over to me, with big tears in his eyes, saying mr brian please forgive me for my short comings. We need prayers for our friends. Satan is busy in their part of the world.

We only had our children Wednesday afternoon this week. Monday was a holiday, so we missed out on our fun times with them. It was good to be back with the children and all their excitement and enthusiasm.

Tuesday evening, Brother George led our men's Bible fellowship reading from Luke 13: 1-8 titled repent or perish. Have we asked God for forgiveness for our sins? If not, how can we forgive others?

Also on Tuesday, our Cedar Grove Chargers were winning another game!  Their last game of the spring season will be Tuesday February 28 at 7:15 at Bill Cockrell Park.

Thursday evening, was full of blessings as Ms Abbie and Bryce shared their gifts of music as the community choir led us in praise. Brother Chester shared the Word, focusing on lvoe, God's lvoe, not the world's love! We had many friends helping us serve and clean up in the dining hall, helping as our personal shoppers in the Market and bagging clothes from the clothing room. A busy, blessed night.

Prayers for our long time friend William. Prayers for the leaders of Common Ground. Prayers for God's direction in our journeys of faith.

The past several weeks, as I was working in and around the center, I have had two different groups of people come up to me and say, this is amazing what you are doing around here. They have been on a tour of our center with Abbey or Bryce and they were in awe of what they saw. I thank them and say thank you, but it is not me but this is of God.

Last night as I was setting up our sound system for chapel, waiting on our computer to update for an hour or so, I sat and listened to the community as they began to come in. Two different community members came over to me and were excited to introduce me to some visitors they had brought with them. Others were sitting together talking about life. One member had just lost a family member and was struggling with the lost. Others were offering their support and kindness to help their friend through their struggle. Tears were shed at some point, but also laughter replaced those tears before we left chapel. Another friend's phone rang, with them saying we are already at "church", are you coming, there's still time?

I listened to a preacher this week say, where do you go to find God? Some people go to a building on Sunday. Some go to a classroom. Hopefully they will discover God there, but what if they don't? Will they come back? For us who were raised up in church, it was my understanding, you found God on Sunday mornings in church, dressed in a suit, on my best behavior, for an hour or two. After church was over, I could be myself again!

Our community finds God when they find you! We are not about church but about God. For those of our community who will never set foot in a church building, their only to see God will be through you. The work you do, the time you spend, the sacrifice you make for our community is what God is expecting us to do. It is our opportunity to show God's lvoe,  to minister through our actions, what God is all about. When we show God' lvoe to others, we are blessed, we all are blessed!

I know when the kids are running around the center, the adults are arguing, the young people are cussing, it doesn't feel like church at that moment. But take a moment and think about where they are. They are with you, because they know you lvoe them, that God lvoes them, something they do not get another place in their lives!

Allowing God to work in and through your lives, you have created a sacred place. A place where our friends are proud to bring their friends and family. A place where your hearts are open for support and to give hope. A place, which is really not a place, but a person, who lvoes God enough to allow His Holy Spirit to work in and through you in amazing ways, blessing us all! Amen!

Enjoy this spring weather. Enjoy God's blessings. Enjoy being the hands and feet of God.