As resolutions are in full swing and the diet-fad for 2008 is being marketed in every store you walk into, Dare to Live/Common Ground is embarking on our own resolution…to see the Youth Outreach Events come to a realization…and we are seeing RESULTS!  Thanks to Nalin Silva and the awesome folks at Guitar Center we have picked up a large portion of equipment for the “Fight of Your Life” outreach events.  Come March 1^st at Toutle Lake High School we will be ready for our first high energy fully interactive event.  Can you tell we’re excited? 

Check out the photos below at Guitar Center...

                


                
-Courtney Samuelu

January 1^st is a day to reflect on many things.  Where has another year gone?  Am I any closer to my dream?  How many days until I eat that bag of chips and blow another resolution to eat right, loose weight etc.?  Why does USC have to be so darn good and win the Rose Bowl again?  Can’t they just let someone else have a chance?  Did the Blazers just win 13 in a row or has this just been a crazy dream?  Are the Iowa caucuses over yet?  How many times am I going to write ’07 on checks, forms, etc. until I get my hand trained to write ’08?  “Do I really have to go back to work tomorrow?  Please?  Please!  I don’t want the holidays to be over.”

Well, here’s something to reflect on as well.  A song writer named Barry McGuire wrote these lyrics 40 years ago:
 

The eastern world, it is explodin’

Violence flarin’, bullets loadin’

You’re old enough to kill, but not for votin’

You don’t believe in war, but what’s that gun you’re totin’

And even the Jordan River has bodies floatin’…

Don’t you understand what I’m tryin’ to say

Can’t you feel the fears I’m feelin’ today?

If the button is pushed, there’s no runnin’ away

There’ll be no one to save, with the world in a grave

[Take a look around ya boy, it's bound to scare ya boy]…

Yeah, my blood’s so mad feels like coagulatin’

I’m sitting here just contemplatin’

I can’t twist  the truth, it knows no regulation.

Handful of senators don’t pass legislation

And marches alone can’t bring integration

When human respect is disintegratin’

This whole crazy world is just too frustratin’…

Think of all the hate there is in Red China

Then take a look around to Selma, Alabama

You may leave here for 4 days in space

But when you return, it’s the same old place

The poundin’ of the drums, the pride and disgrace

You can bury your dead, but don’t leave a trace

Hate your next-door neighbor, but don’t forget to say grace

This song could have been written in 2007 and it still would be just as poignant.

Soon after scoring a top ten hit with this song, Barry McGuire gave his life to Jesus and has been a powerful evangelist-musician ever since.  Faith, Hope and Love always will win no matter how hard darkness tries.

I believe that this will be a year of tremendous evangelism.  We may be seeing a generation that, for the first time in decades might have it worse off than their parents.  But we have an opportunity to reach that entire generation living in the Portland Vancouver area with the message of faith, hope and love. 

The title for the outreaches is “The Fight of Your Life” and it’s just that serious.  They are really going to happen.  It’s not just words.  God has provided.  STUFF has been ordered.  The first volunteer training is in three weeks.  The first outreach is in 8 weeks.  We are on the eve.  The Devil’s world, it is explodin’!

-Jim Liptak

During this Christmas season we are reminded of the gift the Father gave to us in His son Jesus.  We also are reminded of the gift of family and friendship.  Common Ground has experienced both in the last 2 months.  The development of a new ministry family that is looking forward to the opportunities in the New Year and Christ-like friendships that can only be found in the family of God.  With the new structure and ministry family unity we believe that 2008 will be the best ministry year ever for Common Ground.  We also realize that much of what is done within the walls of the ministry could not be achieved without the prayers and financial support that you bring.  As we look to the New Year we ask for your continued prayers and we commit to utilizing your financial investment to further the kingdom and point people to the gift of Jesus Christ, knowing that only through Him can the joy of this season be fully realized.  Merry Christmas and Happy New Year - from all of us at Common Ground.