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?
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• when God nudged CGgirls to donate enough camp items for Royal Kids Camp to cover years of camps?
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• when God directed CGgirls to fill a church van (literally!)  with donated blankets and socks to help homeless men stay warm?
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• 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?
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• 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?
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• 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.
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• 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.
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• 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.

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) 

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

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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The Voice

CGgirl,

What voice are you listening to today?

Do you need to be reminded today?

Hope 4 Western Wayne County 2012

CGgirls!   Remember all of those school supplies you so generously donated and bagged?

We collected 943 bags filled with school supplies.   WOW!  That is pretty amazing, isn't it?!

God came through with the difference.   I'll share that in a moment.

Serving at Hope4WWC was a tremendous blessing. 

Hats off to the early birds who met at 7am to load up all the school supplies!

We saw many other CGgirls serving at the event as well!   That was exciting to see...truly taking God's love from the pews to the pavement.  Amazing!

It was a beautiful day filled with beautiful people. 1, 100 guests came through and it was wildly fantastic!

When you choose to serve something wonderful happens.   You think you are going to help others but what happens is we change when we serve.  God is brilliant isn't He?   It's a beautiful thing to serve God by serving others.

Here's what some of the CGgirls had to say about Saturdays event.

"It was the most touching outreach I've ever served in, and each of us were there for the very same reason - to be the hands and feet of Jesus. Little did I know how much each guest would bless me! Hearing their stories and to see how thankful they were for what we were doing.... truly an unforgettable experience."  Beth Woodard, Connection Church served in the Grocery area.

"We serve a mighty God. I met a lady that was so pleased with her family portrait, she wanted to came back to the welcome area just to show me -- tears filled her eyes as she explained how she never had been able to afford a photo like this -- as she was walking to her car, she continued to look at the portrait -- I asked the other ladies to look as she was walking --- tears filled our eyes as I told her story --- her children were teenagers -- priceless -- it was my honor to serve with Harvest Bible Church --- Thank You Lord"   Cheryl Jones, Allen Park Nazarene Church served in Guest Services.

As for me, one of the highlights came when a young man visited our School Supply area and said, "I heard you were short some bags from your goal of 1000"  quickly followed by, " Tell me what you need and I'm going to get them for you."   This young man (in his 20s) went out and bought items to fill our remaining 57 bags.

Ladies, we got the 1000 --  we got the 1000!  Praises to God from whom all blessings come -- what a day!

Thank you, Thank you, Thank you to all of you who brought items to donate, who came and served, who prayed for this wonderful outreach.  100 people gave their lives to the Lord on Saturday. 

Life is beautiful.  Isn't it?

Generous. You are!

Something really cool starts to happen the week of CG -- a spark of generosity occurs within the women known as CGgirls!  I just spoke to a CGgirl and she said very excitedly, "I went a bit crazy on the crafts and the princess barbies!  They should be delivered tomorrow from Amazon!"

Another CGgirl, dropped these off this morning:

I can't think of anywhere else I'd rather be tomorrow night then here! 

Invite your girlfriends and let's have a party!  Connection Church 3855 Sheldon Rd. Canton, MI 48188 7pm

Pink Toes optional!

 

January Event Recap: Project Troop Care

Were you at the last CG in January?   Here's a chance for you to relive it or see what you missed!   Our next event is on Friday, April 20th!

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PINK isn't just a color...

An ordinary Tuesday, turns into an extraordinary day...when kindness is involved.

Not just any kindness.  But a PINK kindness!

A CGgirl dropped by today with a little pink kindness...she gets it -- and apparently me, too!  :)

She is excited about what God is doing in CGgirls and so are we!   Have you marked your calendar as BUSY for Friday, April 20th at 7pm????   We hope so!   Click here to find out why!

 

CGgirls @ Sea with Karen Kingsbury!

CGgirls from Rivers of Living Water showed some pink love while cruising with Karen Kingsbury!  Way to rep girls!

April Spotlight: Royal Family Kids Camp

Ideas usually start as an answer to a question.

In 2009, we asked this question:

What would happen if women left their generational and denominational differences at the door and just became girls who love God?   We would find our common ground. On our common ground, we could harness that unity and take God's love from the pews to the pavement and change our world!

No longer just an idea, it's happening.  See how God is doing remarkable things through CGgirls. Up for an adventure?

Our next event will be on Friday, April 20th 7pm at Connection Church in Canton, MI.   Our outreach spotlight will be Royal Family Kids Camp!  We are collecting the following items that night for children attending this year's camp!

• Barbies & Clothes (all ethnicities)


• Sports Balls (footballs, basketballs, and nerf sets)


• Craft Kits (Jewelry making, art kits, play doh)


• Building Toys (Legos or Kinex sets)

Here is a quick video showing a glimpse into Royal Family Kids Camp!

Made in Michigan

 

****Drumroll please...we have a winner!  Stacey from multi-purpose mom blog is the winner of our Made in Michigan giveaway!  Stacey check you inbox!  :)    Thank you ladies for sharing with us about your studies.  It's so cool to see women growing in their knowledge of the Lord! 

 

My dear friend, Katy Reitz, is the talent and treasure behind lil' alice. I have been a fan of lil' alice from the very beginning.  I believe in the quality and care that Katy puts into every piece. Needless to say, I own alot of lil' alice goodies.  To top it off, Katy is a CGgirl and has been a supporter of this ministry since day one.

I know I'm no different from other CGgirls who dig into bible study or reading the Word with an arsenal of highlighters, colored pencils or "special" pens. I grew weary of fumbling through my purse or drawers at home to find them. Am I alone?  I knew that giving them a home, where they could live in peace and harmony was the answer. :)

I asked Katy if she would create a pencil bag for me.  It's wildly fantastic.  See for yourself:



I can't keep this kind of goodness to myself.  No ma'am.  Can't do it.   Soooo....we are going to give one away on the blog this week. How can you win?

Tell me, tell me!  Okay, okay...

1.  Leave a comment on this post stating what bible study or book of the bible you are currently reading.

2.  Deadline will be Friday, March 9th at 6pm.

3.  We will randomly select a winner and notify you!

Ready, Set, Go...

Heart 2 Heart

Yesterday, we surprised our PCL girls with some special love on Valentine's Day!    Our hope is that these precious young ladies would stay connected to CGgirls and this is just one way to remind them they are loved!

Each bag was filled with some valentine goodness for each PCL girl!   Big Pink High FIVES go out to the CGgirls who donated the items!   We think the staff at GirlsTown is pretty special too, the tray of heart cookies went to them!

Each PCL girl got a special note to remind them how much they are loved.

We love what God is doing in and through CGgirls.    Don't you??!!

Love is in the air...

and in our mailbox!  We received several thank you notes from our Project Crazy Love girls in the mail!  What a tremendous honor to know those sweet young ladies.

    Here are some of the highlights:

* I loved the lunch - especially the chocolate fountain!
* The gifts were awesome!
* I have never had that many gifts or that  much love.
* I felt like I was with family; something I have never had.
* CGgirls made a big difference in this time of my life!
* I appreciate so much what you did for me, there aren't words.
* You could never know what you did meant to me.
*  I don't know you, but I love you!
* CommonGround gives me hope.  Thank you!
* I love everything I got!  Thank you so much!
* Thank you so much for the slippers, I really needed them!
* You people are wonderful!  God Bless you all!

Don't you love it?  I am so amazed at how God works.  We're excited to continue the conversation with these wonderful young women.   So much potential.   The world overlooks them, but God sees them.

Love is in the air...