New Bra? Yes, please!

CGgirl...you can't pull one over on me.  Summer is winding down.  One trip to Target and I see school supplies are out in abundance,  kids back-to-school clothing sales are everywhere -- I know a wind down when I see it.

In so many ways, it feels like summer never even started this year.

Looking at the calendar I see a special date coming our way.  October 17th  will be our next CommonGround event.   This one really touches our hearts.

Why?  Because we want all women to win.  We see so many women living in defeat through bad choices and broken hearts.   I bet one or two popped into your mind as you read that -- maybe it's even you.

If we can help girls change lanes; we want to help! 

In October our outreach spotlight will be Alternatives for Girls.

This wonderful organization helps homeless and high-risk girls and young women avoid violence, teen pregnancy and exploitation, and helps them to grow strong and make positive choices.

We're collecting the following items:  Construction Paper, Crayons, Colored Pencils, new bras (all sizes) and new socks (all sizes). 

Recently, a woman contacted me and shared with me some good insight.    She grew up very poor most of her young  life and when she would get bras they would always be used, worn out of shape.

She said she never forgot what it was like when she finally got a new bra.    It made her feel like a million dollars.

A good reminder, huh?

What do you say?  Let's go find the prettiest bras for these young ladies and let's make them feel like a million dollars!

CG events are open to all women (ages 13+) and if you've never experienced a cross denominational event before where women from over 30 Detroit-area churches
gather together to worship the Living God you are missing something....really special.   Spread the word and join the party on October 17th, 7pm at Connection Church in Canton.

Roll Call: WOWZA 37 Churches!

CGgirl, are you ready for this?   Final Roll Call from our May Event!  

Allen Park Church of Nazarene
Calvary Baptist Church
Church of Jesus Christ
Community Baptist
Connection Church
Crosswalk Church of the Nazarene
Fairhaven Church
First Baptist Wyandotte
Forest City Destiny Church
Free Will Baptist Church
Gilead Baptist Church
Grace Bible Church
Harvest Bible
Kensington Church
Life Church
Massachusetts Church
Merriman Road
Metro City Church
Morningstar Church
Northline Baptist
Northridge Church
Oak Pointe
Oakwood Church
Parkside Community Church
Praise Baptist Church
Redeemer Community Church
Rivers Worship Center
Solid Rock Bible Church
St Clement Orthodox
St Joseph Catholic
St Mary Parish in Wayne
St Raphael
St Simon & Jude
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
The Lakes
Vineyard Church of Ann Arbor
Ward Presbyterian

 

Come As You Are ... This Friday Night ... Really.

Five years ago (May 1, 2009)  we hosted our first CommonGround event.  Doesn't seem possible does it?   

We've seen God do UNBELIEVABLE things during the last NINETEEN events.    Remember...

• when God unleashed a spirit of generosity on CGgirls and you donated 1,120 Christmas gifts for 14 girls in foster care?


• when God provided an offering that supernaturally paid off all of our start-up costs?
• 
  
• when God nudged CGgirls to donate enough camp items for Royal Kids Camp to cover years of camps?
• 
  
• when God directed CGgirls to fill a church van (literally!)  with donated blankets and socks to help homeless men stay warm?
• 
  
• when God asked CGgirls to lay down our preconceived notions about women far from God who dance in strip clubs to collect items to fill gift bags for them?
• 
  
• when God knew CGgirls would meet the immediate need of a family whose Mom was diagnosed with cancer by collecting $2,000 in gift cards in two weeks?
• 
  
• when God knew a women who miscarried her baby two days before would come to a CG event (not knowing  our guest speaker would be a woman who delivered a still-born baby) and a time of intense healing began within her.
• 
  
• when God asked us to start a 60 day prayer challenge called Brave Girl Boots and 150 of you committed to doing it.  Drawing closer to God in the process.
• 
  
• and so, so, so much more.

Because of God's kindness and grace we're celebrating our TWENTIETH event this Friday night.  There will be live worship,  Heather Costa will be sharing her story,  we'll be collecting items (see below) for homeless Veterans,  20 prizes and a fantastic after party with women from 30 Detroit Metro Area churches.

Come As You Are.   It'll be a night you won't forget.  

We'll leave you with the same thing we wrote five years ago before our first event.

"The vision of commonground is one that we can’t claim as our own.  We feel very strongly that we are following His direction.   Jesus.  Period.  By Him, For Him, With Him.   Great efforts to serve our communities really don’t mean much if they aren't done for the Lord.   Only what is done for the Lord will last.  "

Ask God to prepare your heart for CommonGround.   If you are coming just for the music, the message, the prizes, the afterparty...you might miss Him.   Ask Him to prepare your heart.
He is extending the invitation.  We're just planning the party.

He is Risen!

Brave Girl Boots -- Play it safe?

On March 4th, CGgirls launched a 60 day Prayer Challenge called Brave Girl Boots.   It's been so rewarding to see God move in and through women's hearts and hands.  If you've participated, you've been brave. Beautifully, brave.  It's hard to believe just over a week remains of this challenge.  We've been praying daily for God to plant a seed of vision.

Why are we surprised when He answers our prayers?  I believe He planted one in me on day three...turn this BGB challenge into a published devotional book.  I shared with my husband and we began to pray.  What we believe as confirmation came the next day and two more times over the next week.  Honestly, I feel the same mix of scared confidence that I felt when God asked me to start CommonGround (CGgirls).  ​At that time, I prayed Acts 5:39 "But if it is from God, you will not be able to stop these men; you will only find yourselves fighting against God."  And God has shown His power in such huge ways through CG, I know in my heart-of-hearts He put the vision of CG in my heart and head.

Here I sit again.  A seed of vision planted with no provision for it. What do brave girls do?  Do we play it safe and ignore it?  Nope.  We get those boots out, put them on and move forward in the knowledge they have.  Yep, I'm praying Acts 5:39 again and drinking ALOT of hot coffee.

We plan on securing the funding for publication through a three-week fundraising campaign selling t-shirts online.  We need to sell 200 shirts to cover the cost of publishing.  The fundraising campaign starts on Monday, April 21.  The shirts will say, "Keep calm and put your brave girl boots on" with a cute pair of boots on it.   (Big shout out to Christa Alberts for making my idea come to life in graphic form).

 If you've been encouraged by BGB or believe in the work God is doing through CGgirls, I hope you'll do three things:

1.  Pray.  This vision is huge. The purpose? Encourage women everywhere to be brave.  One page at a time.

2.  Buy a shirt.  $20 plus s/h.  (I'll send you the link as soon as its live on April 21st.  Not only for yourself, but for anyone you know that needs a reminder to be brave. Not only are you helping to fund this book, but you get a cute shirt, too!  Shirts will be shipped at the end of the three week campaign, if our goal of 200 is reached.  You will not be charged for a shirt if the campaign doesn't meet its goal.

3.  As soon as its launched, help us spread the word through FB, Twitter,  Email, YDTS (yell down the street!) I believe if we do our part by getting the word out, God will do His part.

It's a blast walking with Jesus, isn't it?   I can't tell you how much I appreciate each and every one of you.  You've championed the work God has done through CG from the start, we believe this is the next step.  We'll keep walking until we know differently.   If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to contact me.

For Him,

Tami

Giirrrlll, are you coming?

(Photo Credit: Lisa Hildebrandt) 

May 2, 2014 Outreach Spotlight

We are announcing the outreach focus for our May 2, 2014 event!   

Really, really excited about this!   One in seven homeless people have served in the military. We are going to do our part to help. CGgirls is setting a goal of 1,020 snack kits to fill that evening. Invite, Invite, and Invite some more! We're also in need for someone to donate  1, 020 gallon size ziplock bags for that evening. If you have any contacts that would be able to help with this, let us know!

Brave Girl Boots! 60 Day Challenge

68.   

As I write this we have that many days until we gather on our common ground.      Honestly, it can't come fast enough for me.

We are finalizing all the details, announcing them soon.

Very excited ya'll!    Seriously.

The last few weeks this scripture has been jumping out at me from behind every bush that comes along my path.

"I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing."  John 15:5

I'm discovering that trying to live a life worthy of the call of Jesus ( 2 Thes 1:11 // With this in mind, we constantly pray for you, that our God may make you worthy of his calling, and that by his power he may bring to fruition your every desire for goodness and your every deed prompted by faith. )  can only happen if I remain in God.

And my natural default is to NOT do that.    I'm more of the let me see how this goes and I'll get back to you Jesus if I need help.      Anyone else?

If I don't keep myself on a short leash,  I easily slip into self-sufficiency.

I heard this statement today, "If God seeds us with vision, we are able in Christ. "  

Not able alone,  but able in Christ.

Confession,  I have been too safe with the  seed of vision God has given me.

What about you?

 I'm going to put my brave girl boots on, lean into God desperately,  and pray like crazy.

Will you join me?    Beginning  on March 4, 2014  we are beginning a 60 day challenge.

Brave Girl Boots! 60 Day Challenge:  

1.   Pray daily for God to plant a seed of vision for your life. 

2.  Pray daily for the Holy Spirit to give you the sensitivity to see a need you can fill THAT day.

3.  Pray daily for the bravery to act on it.

Are you in?   Let us know by filling out the form below.   You'll receive a special enews each day of the 60 day challenge.

I believe that vision breeds vision.  We want you to share with us what God shows you during the Brave Girl Boots!  60 Day Challenge.

CGgirls, lets hold our differences loosely and love each other fiercely.   Lets major on the things that matter... Jesus and people.  

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Care & Compassion: Cancer, who plans for it?

Wow!

Once again,  we find ourselves shouting T H A N K Y O U , CGgirl! 

"How can we thank God enough for you in return for all the joy we have in the presence of our God because of you?"
1 Thessalonians 3:9

You were an abundant, over-the-top, way cool,  unbelievable blessing to Margie Kelly & her family.

When the word got out about this Care & Compassion opportunity,  we knew CGgirls would be generous but we were blown away by the tidal wave of generosity that came in for Margie Kelly.
Margie (wife and mom) has been recently diagnosed with advanced ovarian cancer.    As she would say, "The fight is on!"

Just a few moments ago,  Mike Kelly came up to me, hugged me hard and said with tears in his eyes, "THANK YOU!  We made a whole date out of going through the box! "

What I love so much about the ministry that happens through the hearts and hands of CGgirls is this:  Most of you don't personally know Margie.   Most of you will never meet her this side of heaven.

But you loved anyway.      You sacrificially loved anyway.
Because God loves.  

Brave.

Today, right now, this minute, you have all the BRAVE you need.   Jesus.

Compassion and Care Opportunity!

CGgirls!

As many of you know, one of our outreaches in the past was with My Sister Song, a wonderful ministry to women in the sex industry. Margie Kelly, a big part of things on the MSS team has been diagnosed with stage 4 cancer that is spreading throughout her body.  Margie is also a wife, and mom to two young children.

She is a champion and fighting for her life.

This illness has taken them off guard in many, many areas. Especially financial as Margie is not able to work during due to aggressive treatments.

This is what I know...CGgirls are helpful, generous, amazing women.  Yes, if you are reading this...I'm talking about you.

CGgirls, we thought it would be a HUGE blessing to Margie, Mike, Angel and Michael to give them a box of gift cards for Valentine's Day.

Are you in?

• Gift cards can be to any place and in any amount.


• Send it with a note of encouragement to my attention by February 13th to Tami Walker c/o  Connection Church 3855 S. Sheldon Rd Canton, MI 48188


• Let us know to look for the gift card: Sign Up today!   

Please spread this around to women in your life.  We like to do things over-the-top at CG, because Jesus was over-the-top with us, wasn't He?

Questions?  You can reach me on FB, or at 734.397.1777 or tami@connectionchurch.info

Thank You So Much!

For Him,

Tami

Hope Clinic : Thank YOU!

At our last event, 80 women from 8 different churches came out in subzero temps to give Hope Clinic 657 items!  We received this THANK YOU today from them. This will warm anyone up on a cold day -- way to go CGgirls! 

WOW, you make miracles happen!  Thank you so much for your very generous donation of personal care items.  Our shelves are well-stocked with these very important items that are often forgotten by donors but so important to the recipients.

On a personal note, I had a great time at your event.  The women were so welcoming and warm.

Thank you again, and God Bless you and your mission.

Peace,

Mia Moyad, LLMSW

Patient Advocate
The Hope Clinic

Grace. Me?

"O what love
No greater love
Grace, how can it be
That in my sin
Yes, even then
He shed His blood for me."

Sitting in my office listening to Kari Jobe singing...

...such stinging words of grace.

It's the day before our 19th CG event.  Unbelievable to me.

We weren't sure we'd get through one let alone nineteen!

What a privilege it has been to serve God through the gathering of women (CGgirls) who love Him, who are unsure of Him, who are disappointed in Him, maybe even disappointed in the women you see in the mirror.  No matter what you think, the seats of CG are filled with women who fit all of these.        You are ALL welcome to CommonGround tomorrow night.

Is that you today?  Even if you go to church every Sunday but you know church has turned into a club.   Are you wondering how did I get here?  Is the path you are now walking heavy with compromise, shame and guilt?

How did a once surrendered heart get so stinkin far from God?

If that's you, please come tomorrow night?.   Let the One who knows you (not just the you others see, but the real you) be your Healer.  Will you let Him close enough to caress the hair from your eyes,  lift your tear stained cheeks upward, and remind you: It's you,  It's always been you.

"Yes, even then He shed his blood for me."

I exam.

Likewise, teach the older women to be reverent in the way they live, not to be slanderers or addicted to much wine, but to teach what is good. Then they can urge the younger women to love their husbands and children, to be self-controlled and pure, to be busy at home, to be kind, and to be subject to their husbands, so that no one will malign the word of God.

Titus 2: 3-5


 

When I read the scripture above, one woman pops into my mind.   My beautiful 81 yr old friend, Diane Hassenrik.   Meet Diane: 

 

Don't let those baby blues fool you.   She has earned her nickname "Sassy Hassy."

I am so honored to have her in my inner circle of friends who speak into my life.   She truly is a Titus 2 woman.   With her life experience and heart for God  she has alot of wisdom to share.   Diane has graced my life with heaps of truth and speaks boldly into my life.   I don't know about you, but I need bold sometimes or if I'm being honest most times.

I know when I share what's going on in my life with Diane, her answer will always point me to Christ.    And even though I know it will sting a bit,  I keep going back to the well to drink because I know it's there that I will always be pointed to Christ.

Recently,  while sharing with Diane about a situation in my life -- I paused in hopes to get a little compassion, a little...you know... "awww...I'm sorry!"    I knew when she said, "You know what I'm hearing?"   I was in trouble.

"I'm hearing a whole lot of "I" and not alot of "God" from you."     Boom!  Ouch.

She was right.   In a world that serves us opportunity after opportunity to make life all about ourselves, we need to do an "I" check from time-to-time.    And  I was over do  for an "I" exam.

How about you?

• Do you find yourself complaining because life isn't going your way?


• Have you made your happiness  the sole goal of your life?  Instead of asking God what He may want from your life.  Walking in God's plan will ultimately lead to abundant joy.  (Which trumps happiness )


• Do your conversations have alot of  --  "I don't like,  I am not,  I think,  I want,  I, I , I , I, I ??????

He must become greater; I must become less."  John 3:30  (NIV)

I Didn't Know.

"I didn't know. "

As I continue to walk out my journey towards heaven, I'm learning a lot.   Mostly,  I'm learning that I have no idea what people are going through.   The quote,  " Everyone you know is fighting a battle you know nothing about. Be kind to everyone."  needs to be sandblasted on my head and heart.

It's true.  It's so true.

Did you know that October is National Infant Loss Month?    Me neither.    "I didn't know."

Well, I'm discovering that many, many, many women DO know.    They have been asked to carry a working knowledge of a wound so deep that some days they think they may drown from it.     Chances are you have a woman in your sphere of influence that is carrying that wound.    In fact,  if I was a betting kinda gal, I'd put my money on it.

Just the other day, I was sharing with a volunteer at Connection Church about our next CG outreach:  Jack's Day The Giving Project.   She mentioned to me that many, many decades ago she gave birth to two stillborn twin daughters.   Her confession took me off guard.

"I didn't know. "  

So,  what do we do with this?   We do what we know to do and that's gather on our commonground.    God has been so gracious to bless each of our events with an outpouring of His generous spirit.  As we walk in unity with one purpose and for ONE LIVING GOD,  fantastic God-sized things happen.

CommonGround!  This is where you need to be on Friday, October 25th at 7pm.     We are going to take God's love from the pews to the pavement.   How?   We're going to bless and by bless I mean: LOAD, Emily Hughes  THE FOUNDER of Jack's Day the Giving Project UP with the following items:

• Disposable Cameras


• Journal


• Votive Holder with Votive


• Purse size Kleenex

Emily will take these items, box them up in pretty boxes and give them to local hospitals in Metro Detroit.   In the near future, those boxes will find their way into the trembling hands of  broken-hearted women.

Will you be an instrument that God can use?    This is a great way to minister to these broken-hearted women and in a real sense,  wash them from their foreheads to their feet with a cup of grace,  a cup of comfort and a cup of compassion.

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July CG event: Worship Leader Announced

CGgirl, Summer is in full swing.   We hope you are enjoying the sunshine and your hair is winning the battle against the humidity.  :)

We have some really great news... Liz Webb will be our worship leader for the next CG Event,  Friday, July 26th at 7pm!

Liz may look familiar to you ... she is a part of our CG Worship Band and has been singing for the majority of her life.

" I've been married for 6 1/2 years to Patrick. Mom of 3 mini CG girls Emma, Ellie and Clara. I have been attending Connection Church (and Tri-City) for nearly 24 years. I have serving on our worship team for 14 years!"

Need a worship night?  Yes.   Want to gather with women from 30 different area churches?  Yes.

Want to Take God's love from the pews to the pavement by bringing: Lip Gloss, Stickers, Composition Notebook, Flip-Flops, and Dove Bar Soap?  Yes, we're going to bless 146 girls currently at Vista Maria!

Let's gather together at 7pm on Friday, July 26th - - Join us!

The Voice

CGgirl,

What voice are you listening to today?

Do you need to be reminded today?

In Christ

 

Kara Spence shared the Word with us at Friday's event and many of you asked for the list of scripture that she used in her message.    This is a great dose of  Truth in a world that offers a non-stop offering of counterfeit.

Rom 3:24 – In Christ I am justified as a gift of His grace

Rom 6:3-4 – In Christ I have died to the power of sin over my life and have been raised into a newness of life

Rom 6:11 – In Christ I am alive

Rom 6:23 – In Christ I have eternal life

Rom 8:1 – In Christ I now cannot be condemned

Rom 8:2 – In Christ I am set free from the death that comes from sin

Rom 8:10 – In Christ my spirit is alive with righteousness

Rom 8:11 – In Christ the same Spirit that rose Jesus’ dead body from the grave lives powerfully inside of me!

Rom 8:39 – In Christ the love of God is in me, a love that cannot ever be separated from me

Rom 12:5 – In Christ we are all part of one body and belong together with each other in unity

Rom 15:17 – In Christ we now have a reason to boast because God is so incredible to us!

1 Cor 1:4 – In Christ I have the grace of God in me

1 Cor 1:30 – In Christ I have wisdom, righteousness, sanctification (set apart as pure and holy), and redemption

1 Cor 15:22 – In Christ I will be made alive

2 Cor 2:14 – In Christ I will always be led in triumph

2 Cor 5:17 – In Christ I am a new creature, my old life is completely passed away and I live in new life

Gal 2:16 – In Christ I am saved because of faith and not the religious rituals of the old law

Gal 3:14 – In Christ all of God’s promises are fulfilled

Gal 3:26 – In Christ we all become His children

Gal 3:27 – In Christ He has clothed me with Himself, I am not exposed the Savior of the world covers me!

Gal 3:28 – In Christ no one is better than the other, we are all equally valued

Eph 1:3 – In Christ I have been blessed with EVERY spiritual blessing in the heavenly places!

Eph 1:10-11 – In Christ everything is complete and I have a massive inheritance waiting for me

Eph 2:6 – In Christ I have been given a position of honor with Him, I have been seated with Him in the heavenly places!

Eph 2:7 – In Christ I am given the riches of God’s grace and kindness

Eph 2:10 – In Christ I am created for good works that God has already prepared for me, I don’t have to do anything but just walk in them

Eph 2:13 – In Christ I am no longer distant from God but have been brought in close to Him

Eph 3:6 – In Christ even the outcasts are accepted as God’s own!

Eph 4:32 – In Christ I am forgiven

Phil 2:1 – In Christ I find encouragement, consolation by His love, fellowship with the Spirit, affection and compassion

Phil 3:9 – In Christ I don’t have a righteousness of my own, I have His righteousness instead!

Phil 4:7 – In Christ I have peace that cannot even be comprehended which protects my heart and mind

Phil 4:19 – In Christ ALL of my needs are met because of the riches of His glory

Col 1:4 – In Christ I can cultivate an atmosphere of love for others

1 Thess 5:18 – In Christ I can be thankful

1 Tim 1:14 – In Christ I find an abundance of grace and faith and love

2 Tim 1:9 – In Christ I find the grace that God has been preparing for me from the very beginning, I was prepared for!

2 Tim 2:1 – In Christ I find salvation and eternal glory

Need a reason to come to CommonGround this Friday?

Ok...well, here are some Reasons you should be at commonground this Friday...

1.  Gathering with  other Kingdom minded women to worship the Living God.

2.  Have you heard?  Kara Spence is bringing the word!

3.  We're celebrating our 15th CG with 15, yes F I F T E E N  giveaways!

4.  We're collecting shower curtains, cleaning supplies, and bed pillows for Faith Recovery Center in Lincoln Park!

5.  Baby, its cold outside!  We've got a coffee and cocoa bar with your name on it!

6.  We're announcing our April Outreach, Project 327,  you won't want to miss this launch!

7.   You'll meet lots and lots of women from 30+ area churches!

8.  We miss your sweet faces!

9.   Amazing Afterparty!

10.  Rumor has it...CG Hoodies will be on sale!

Friday, January 25th 7pm -  We can't wait!
Connection Church
3855 Sheldon Rd
Canton, MI 48188