Just Between You, Me, & God 4/28/2012

My older brother’s name is Danny, or that’s what I always called him. Others knew him as Dan or Major Hanssen. Danny served in the U S Army for 20 years before he retired. I remember when he went into the Army, it was during the Viet Nam war and we just knew that he would have to go there but he qualified for OCS (officer candidate school) in Virginia, became an officer and did most of his duty in Germany and in the States. When he started boot camp at Ft. Bliss I was so proud of him. He would send us the simplest little items like a note pad with military symbols on it and I would show it off to everyone at school and brag that my brother in the army sent it to me. I would even wear some of his military fatigues and boots because I wanted to be like him. When he graduated from OCS the whole family drove to Virginia for his graduation. I never did serve in the military myself but I greatly admire those who have served with honor and sacrifice for our nation. Danny passed away 16 years ago from a brain tumor and was buried with full military honors in a military cemetery in San Antonio. It takes a special person to accept the call to serve, to leave behind family and friends and do what others take for granted and sometimes don’t even respect. As Christians we are also called to serve. Listen to how Jesus puts this in Matthew 20:26-28, “…Whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be your slave---just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life as a ransom for many.” Just like the military, there are those in the Church who have become the Christian Soldiers of today, serving as missionaries around the world, as pastors and leaders in local churches, and volunteers doing all of the things that others take for granted. Jesus did not tell us to “go and sit in your churches, listen to a sermon, then go home and go about your business.” In Matthew 28:19 Jesus speaks to all believers when He commanded the troops, “Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you.” The torch doesn’t carry itself. My deepest appreciation goes to those who serve us by serving our nation and my deepest prayer is that all Christians would take honor in serving Christ our Lord by serving others. God bless you for all you do and have a blessed Memorial Day, Pastor Dean

Pastor Dean Hanssen is the Outreach & ministries Pastor for LHF, and it is not his fault that this was posted late…the techies were enjoying grilled burgers and forgot! :)

Land of Thousand Hills Coffee One Good Cup of Joe

It was an early Texas morning the musty smell of rain was in the wind across the parking lot of bent tree bible fellowship in Carrollton, Tx.  It was the second day of the Catalyst Dallas and to truthful I was dragging I needed caffeine to perk up my body.  I work overnights and I am used to sleeping having just hit the pillows at the time of day.  So even though I had some sleep the night prior my fleshly body was yelling sleep.  Well Land of Thousand Hills came to my rescue in the form of a free cup of coffee.  It was bold and full of body.  It has the power to take of the best roast of Starbucks, Kona, and any of the other blends.  But Land of Thousand Hills in more than just a cup of Joe.  It one way in the consumer culture you can be Jesus to the least of us on this rock we call Earth.  Like many other groups in the free trade market place Land of Thousand Hills was born out of the genocide and war of the mid 90's in Rwanda.  

" In 2001, Jonathan Golden, founder of Land of a Thousand Hills, recognized a simple and tangible opportunity to make a difference in the reconciliation of the Rwandan people. This realization led Golden to start a coffee company that pays a fair wage to the farmers of Rwanda, helps them with their basic needs, and brings a quality product to coffee lovers.

The introduction of specialty coffee to the healing fields of Rwanda proved to be an uncommon opportunity for once warring countrymen to not only rebuild their homesteads, but to work together toward lasting peace. A commitment to excellence in coffee has brought dignity and hope to a nation that history suggested would never recover.

Now, Land of a Thousand Hills has reached beyond the borders of Rwanda to bring dignity and hope to Haiti, Thailand, and other parts of the globe. We partner with farmers and local community leaders to develop the coffee into a sustainable income, pay a just Living Wage, and strive to further meet the needs of the people. When you buy Land of a Thousand Hills, you are receiving coffee that is 100% Arabica, fairly traded, and roasted fresh. Your excellent morning cup is offering hope to these developing coffee communities with each purchase. "

Land of Thousand Hills motto is Drink Coffee Do Good.  I want everyone to take a look and see how your cup of Joe and have a deeper impact on the least of us.

This Video was shot live at Catalyst Dallas 2012

If you want a chance to win some Land of Thousand Hills Coffee Click Here Til Jun. 3rd 2012

Erin McGinnis is the Media Arts and Services Coordinator for LHF.

Where's Your Water?

Screencap from my iPhone

I have an addiction. Or pretty close to one. It can certainly interfere with productivity, and my husband complains that I don’t listen to him because of it. It’s Disney mobile’s “Where’s My Water?” Most people, especially those bearing iPhones and Android phones, know of this game. It is a terribly fun little game of physics, cartoon alligators, and animated sewers. The basic premise is this: get the water to Swampy (the loveable non-violent, cleanliness-seeking pacifistic gator hero). There are multiple levels of increasing difficulty. You dig through dirt, move water, deal with green ooze and acidic poison water, find hidden objects, and water little rubber duckies to accomplish the goal of filling Swampy’s bath. (Incidentally, I highly recommend this game, especially for families. My 5-year-old daughter also loves this game and has progressed further than my husband at this time.)


Just like Swampy, we’re all dirty and need to wash ourselves clean. And like Swampy, we have to deal with the ooze and poison in our lives. We need clean water to drink and to remove the ick from us. It was for these reasons that the Samaritan woman at the well in Sychar needed the water for (John 4). She, like Swampy, was seeking water for her immediate needs. In the time it takes to take a drink, her life was changed by meeting Jesus there, who had for her a “living water” (John 4:10) that will not only sustain her, but fill her like a spring always flowing (John 4:14).


Unlike Swampy, where the water must be dug up and moved around to come to the one who needs it, or be drawn up from a deep well like the Samaritan woman, the living water from Jesus requires one simple word from us: Please. All we must do is ask for Jesus to fill us up, to cause that spring within us to bubble up and keep us eternally refreshed. I pray that each of you read this has the living water within you, but also 


So…where’s YOUR water?


Melissa McGinnis is the Children’s Ministry Director for LHF. At this time, she has cleared every level of “Where’s My Water?” and is surprised to find that the house needs cleaning and the cat is on strike until it gets IT’S water refilled.

Just Between You, Me, & God 5/21/2012

When I was a young man I loved Boy Scout camp. There were so many activities, swimming, archery, rifle range, fishing, hiking, and of course canoeing. There was always one kid in the canoe that loved to grab both sides and start to move back and forth, rocking the boat until it was near capsizing. I would have preferred a smooth ride across a mirror like lake, but that was not to be. Eventually even he got tired of the excitement and we would finish our journey with unsettled nerves and contempt for the one that caused us distress. It’s been a long time since I’ve been in a canoe but that guy must still be around because from time to time my boat still gets rocked. All I want is a smooth ride to the other side and a safe landing on the other shore but it seems like just as I get out in the middle a storm comes up and rocks my boat, often to the point of capsizing. What rocks your boat? Is it that unexpected bill, a confrontation you’ve tried to avoid at work or home, or an overloaded schedule? Rock, rock, back and forth. Perhaps it’s the job you’ve been looking for that just hasn’t surfaced yet, or the unexpected phone call about the death of a loved one, or maybe it’s the sinking feeling of dealing with an addiction that’s pouring water over the sides and swamping your life with fear and despair? Let’s go back 2000 years and add some high winds, lightning, and white capped waves. Climb on in the boat with some veteran oarsmen as they fight a sudden, furious storm. Rowing and bailing to no avail, their passenger, Jesus, is sound asleep in the front of the boat. I’ve been in the front of a boat going across heavy waves and it’s a jaw jarring event, but Jesus was tired, He was sleeping despite the apparent futility of the disciples to overcome the storm. Matt. 8:25-27, “The disciples went and woke him, saying “Lord, save us! We’re going to drown!” He replied, “You of little faith, why are you so afraid?” Then He got up and rebuked the winds and the waves, and it was completely calm. The men were amazed and asked, “What kind of man is this? Even the winds and waves obey Him?” Did you see that, with a word, “it was completely calm.”? Do you have enough faith to trust Jesus to get you through your storms, is He even in the boat with you or did you leave Him on the shore? If the winds and the waves obey without question, shouldn’t we? Prov.3:5, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding.” Pastor Dean

Pastor Dean Hanssen is the Ministries & Outreach Pastor for LHF.

12 years of Marriage: hiking down life's path

<p>For richer or poorer, in sickness and in health; the words echoed in my head.&nbsp; It has been 12 years since my wife and I exchanged our vows.&nbsp; It seems like just yesterday; I can describe that in vivid detail.&nbsp; </p>
<p>Now we have share of up and Downs along the way.  Each little step along our path led us back to helping build God's church in East Texas.  I am not the same man that stood before family and friends 12 years ago.  I am stronger in my faith, taking leadership roles, and yes lost some hair along the way. 

We are God's creations, pieces of clay that the Lord never stops molding or refining.  Only the Lord knows what tomorrow brings.  But I know He has given me a helper along the way.  If look at Scripture; the first part of Ecclesiastes 9:9 " Enjoy life with your wife, whom you love, all these days of meaningless life that God has given you under the sun." (NIV).  Also in Proverbs 3: 5,6 " Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him.  And He will make paths straight. "

In closing thanks to wife for 12 blessed years full of experience and real life.

Just Between You, Me, & God 5/17/2012

There are estimated to be over 6700 different languages in the world today.
Most of those are spoken by less than 1000 people. Of course that doesn’t
include all of the different dialects than can alter a specific language. Here in
East Texas, it is sometimes said that we have a language all our own. You betcha!
(You can bet on that). There are some universal languages that are understood
worldwide by everyone. Laughter is recognized worldwide as the reaction to
something funny, whereas tears, crying, or sobbing bring about an immediate
knowledge that someone is hurting, physically, emotionally, or spiritually.
Ecclesiastes 3:1, 4, tells us, “There is a time for everything, and a season for every
activity under heaven: a time to weep and a time to laugh, a time to mourn and
a time to dance.” What time is it in your life right now? What universal language
are you speaking and are you sharing it with others or are you hiding it in your
heart. James 5:13 ask, “Is any one of you in trouble? He should pray. Is anyone
happy? Let him sing songs of praise.” Oh, I left out a universal language, prayer.
No matter what language you speak or how you speak it, God always has an open
ear for your prayers. You don’t have to worry about how eloquently you speak
or if you can even speak at all because God listens to your heart. He understands
each and every language because He created all languages. 1 Peter 3:12 tells
us, “For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous and His ears are attentive to
their prayer…” No matter what is going on in your life today, whether you’re
happy or sad, rejoicing or mourning, God wants to hear from you. He sent His
only Son, Jesus Christ, to die on the cross for our sins in order that we might have
a one on one audience with the creator of the universe, the one that hurts when
we hurt, and laughs when we laugh because we were created in His image and He understands the language of our hearts. Take it to the Lord in prayer, He’s waiting and He’s listening. God bless you for all you do, Pastor Dean.


Pastor Dean Hanssen is the Outreach & Ministries Pastor for LHF. 

Catalyst Dallas 2012 Retrospective Day 3: Main Event 2

The last day of Catalyst Dallas was a bittersweet time. On one hand, you know that the speakers, the entertainment, and the worship will be as awesome (or more so) tha the previous two days (one day if you don't attend the Labs), but still, it's coming to an end and trust me, you don't want it to.  There's fun and games, and the emcees Trip Crosby and Tyler Stanton are hilarious. Once again, each speaker brings their "A-Game," and blesses the socks off the attendees. 

"In the gap between what is and what could be, there is an intercessor." - Nancy Duarte. Nancy is a consultant, founder, and CEO at Duarte, which offers presentation and design for churches, companies, and non-profits. She spoke on the common lack of presentation power among pastors and speakers in church. While much of her presentation was instructive with awesome graphics illustrating famous speeches, there was a passion for the spoken word and intense desire to help us learn to present the Gospel in a rich, compelling way. She pointed out that we can do anything, show anything, and accomplish dreams of reaching others when we give up our tired ruts, trust God, and allow ourselves to be dynamic.


Video 1: Family Dynamics

"Fear makes us posers. You are the kid of a King, and you gotta live like that!" - Bob Goff. If being around Bob Goff, the author of Love Does, for about 5 seconds doesn't get you excited and hyped-up, then you need to check your pulse. This man is clearly on FIRE for Jesus. His words nearly burst from the passion and zeal contained within them. He has a heart for Uganda and its people, and his organization has been the instrument of great and mighty change for the innocent there. He also has a heart for inspiring others to boldly...no, BOLDLY!! go forth in faith and follow the call of Jesus to love those around us, whether in your backyard or beyond an ocean. He spoke of how we hide in our comfort zones, safely integrating into our surroundings and changing NOTHING. Hearing him speak made me consider just how much I've been loving my fellow man and consider what I could do to pass that love on to others.

Video 2: Compassion International

"Engage before judging..." - Pastor Rudy Rasmus.The pastor of St. John's (Methodist) Downtown Church in Houston, this somewhat soft-spoken man with a beaded beard and grandfatherly air brings wisdom, depth, and love wherever he goes . He spoke honestly and openly about his troubled past and healing. He was emphatic that "being present" was acting in love first, and not in accordance to our preconceived ideas about people based on what we see. His words struck may of us, even if we had thought we were non-judgmental before. I personally would love to visit his church and see the great work they do with the homeless in downtown Houston, Texas.

Video 3: FaithVillage.com

"God's not bothered by your big request, He's bothered by your small faith" - Perry Noble. Southern as they come, Perry Noble spoke with power and presence. He talked of being bold, that in our bold presence we can do great things. He reminded us that we have a God with us more powerful than the world in which we live and that we have the ability to affect change. He also spoke of our frustrations when things aren't what we expect--"We don't follow [Christ] for what He gives us, but for who He is." Who is He? The sovereign One who created it all and gives us the strength to bring change to others. 


Video 4: Hello Somebody

"The grass is always greener where it's watered!!!! - Judah Smith. An intensely powerful speaker, Judah Smith shared an unusual and compelling message--GO HOME! Intertwined with jokes about bacon, parenting, and shouting "Amen!" in church, he brought a message that was unexpected after a series of speakers that spoke of global influence and traveling to help those around the world; while there are those who are called to do these things,, for majority of us, our ministry is right at home. Our hometowns, our families, and our friends. He points out that many Christians would more eagerly go across the oceans to minister to strangers than have coffee with an atheist family member. He reminded us that not everyone is called to travel the world and instead of being envious of those who pastor megachurches in big cities or build orphanages in Africa, we should look in our sphere of influence and "water our own grass"--bring that passion and desire to those in our neighborhoods and communities. This was especially impacting for me because I spent my teenage life planning and plotting to escape the small-town part of Texas I grew up in. I even did escape for awhile, living in Austin, texas, with a comfy city job and a duplex in a fun neighborhood, only to find myself right back here, somewhat kicking and screaming inside. I see how God places us where He wants us, and instead of pining over what we wanted, we need to love what we have and minister to those right in front of our noses.

Video 5: Amazima

And so, Catalyst Dallas 2012 ended with people empassioned, excited, and carryig a LOT home to mull and pray over. I pray that the nuggets I shared here bless you as much as they blessed me.


Melissa McGinnis is the Children's Ministry Director for LHF.

Cataylst Dallas Swag Giveaway

We enjoyed the Catalyst Dallas conference immensely, and want to share a little bit of it with our readers. One of the things about the conference, in addition to the mighty movement of God in worship and the wisdom of the speakers, there was swag, and lots of it (for those who don't know what "swag" is, it means lots of free stuff given away to the attendees).. Most or all of the companies, organizations, and universities that were represented had something cool to give away. Enter using Rafflecopter entry widget below. Winners will be drawn June 2, 2012. Winners will receive one prize package only. 


**IT IS HIGHLY RECOMMENDED ENTRIES BE SUBMITTED VIA DESKTOP, OR BY FORCING MOBILE SITE INTO DESKTOP MODE (this has been tested on Android and iPhone devices and both had loads of trouble).Also, PLEASE ensure that your blog subscription is complete. Any incomplete entries will be thrown out. If Rafflecopter/Google link does not work, please continue through and then subscribe using regular link on blog post above.


We are sharing, and even threw a few things in ourselves! Listed below are the prize packages, 14 in all:
1. Tshirt promoting the Home Run movie. Black, size adult extra large. Also has a Catalyst air freshener, a stress block from Family Dynamics, a free download of the Earth movie, a video of the Toms Shoes story, and a Catalyst whistle.
2. Tshirt from Flexstage. White, size adult extra large. Also has a Catalyst whistle and air freshener, free download of the Earth movie, and Family Dynamics stress block.
3. Tshirt from Clark Ivory, size adult extra large. Also has a Catalyst whistle, Earth movie download, pen from Family Dynamics, orange wristband from Love at Last Sight, and a small button* from David C. Cook.
4. Tshirt from NICS.org. Black, size adult extra large. Also has a Catalyst whistle, Earth movie download, mini notebook from Fowler Inc, glow-in-the-dark DJ Promote wristband, pen from Fuller Seminary.
5. Gungor's latest CD, Beautiful Things. Also has a Catalyst whistle and a tube of mints from Project 7.
6. 13oz. Medium Roast from Land of 1000 Hills. Also has a Catalyst whistle and 2 mini-buttons* from David C. Cook.
7. Baseball cap from the Trade of Innocents movie. Size is small, youth or women's. Also has a Catalyst whistle and a glow-in-the-dark DJ Promote wristband.
8. Baseball cap from the Trade of Innocents movie. Size is small, youth or women's. Also has a tube of Project 7 mints, a Catalyst whistle, and Earth movie download.
9. Baseball cap from AdoptionJourney.org. Gray, adult size, distressed look. Also has a pen, Catalyst whistle, and mini-button* from David. C. Cook.
10. Limited-edition Catalyst watch from Hello Somebody. White, features the 2012 conference theme "Be Present" on the face. Also has a knapsack from FaithVillage.com and a mini-button* from David C. Cook.
11. Book: Fourth Fisherman by Joe Kissack. Also has Slake Films' Empty DVD, pen from CitySquare, and 2 candies.
12. Book: Anything by Jennie Allen. Also ESV Bible, Toms Story DVD, and pen.
13. Book: Heaven Is For Real. Also ESV Bible, tube of Project 7 mints, and a pen.
14. The Voice New Testement Bible, Slake Films' Empty DVD, Passport to Israel minibook, and mini-button* from David C. Cook.


*Mini-buttons are promotional for books currently available from David C. Cook.


NOTE: All packages will be sent to winners via USPS Media Mail if possible, or USPS First-Class Mail if needed. International winners will receive their packages via USPS Flat-Rate Mail. Due to customs laws, the Land of 1000 Hills coffee package will not be sent internationally. Winners will be drawn via Rafflecopter June 2, 2012. Only 1 prize package per winner. Any incomplete entries will be thrown out. All items included in prize packages were donated by the organizations/vendors in attendance at Catalyst Dallas 2012, or purchased for the giveaway. This giveaway is not sponsored by Catalyst Dallas, Catalyst Leadership Conferences, or by any orgaization who donated prizes.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Cataylst Dallas Retrospective: Day 2: Main Event

Well dear friends, this is Erin reflecting on the second day of Cataylst Dallas did not disappoint.  This year's theme is "Be Present," and we were met bright and early at 7:00am by the Catalyst Be Present Bees with a "Lonestar State" breakfast (breakfast taquitos) and welcome to the 3500 attendees.  DJ Promote kept us busy while waiting for the seating to open; he has a divine talent for mixing tunes that enterianed both young and old.  Check him out on his blog at http://www.thepartystartsnow.blogspot.com/.

Video 1: AdoptionJourney.org

We started the morning off in worship lead by the Cataylst House worship band and it was truley awsome.  All the songs lead us into moments of reflection with the speakers.  They taught us to be "Be Present."  One of the best take-aways from the speakers was the following quoate, "It is out of our failures that gain our greatest triumphs." --John Maxwell.  Next Andy Stanley took the stage, and like previous times at Cataylst brought a messege that made you think out the things in your life that have overlooked. "Your only unique rolein this world is father or mother to your child. Everything else, you can bereplaced." and "Great leaders create an environment where they get to stand back and watch it work without them." were some of his best.

Video 2: Trade of Innocents

Next came the grossest thing ever.  The audience made a giant ball of ABC gum\.  This brought a new denifition to world of fellowship.  They had each of us chew some Big League Chew and the pass it down (with rubber gloves) to centerstage, where it formed it massive gum pile. And yes, a guy took a bite and chewed it for a prize.

Video 3: Land of 1000 Hills

We returned from our dinner break to the musical stylings of Gungor and the after dinner teaching of Matt Chandler.  God thru him brought a strong messege on our "Be Present" Theme.  "Ministry is a STUPID trade-off for a relationship with Jesus Christ." and  "God doesn't have to force people to love Him; He just shows them who He is." -- Matt Chandler

After this amazing day of inspirational teaching, I felt a. that my toes had been stepped on, and b. my eyes had been opened. It was a refreshing experience that still fuels me right now.

Video 4: The Last Letter

Erin McGinnis is the Media Arts & Services Coordinator for LHF, and freely admits his faith isn't strong enough to take a bite out of a massive ABC gum ball, no matter how great the prize.

Catalyst Dallas 2012 Retrospective, Day 1: Labs - Melissa

Melissa and Erin McGinnis are currently attending the Catalyst Leadership Conference in Dallas. They will each be posting a retrospective of each day. Below is Melissa's retrospective, interspersed with videos from different organizations represented at the conference.

Video 1: BookShout

Session 1: Mark Batterson

Author of Soulprint, The Circle Maker, and others, this guy exudes humility, honesty, and the Presence of God. He spoke with a fervor that was tangible, touching each person in the audience. He spoke of prayer not as just a conversation with God (though that is important), but as a way of keeping ourselves so wrapped up in God that we let go of our own expectations and watch Him make changes and the amazing impact. In his own words, “When you pray regularly, you can live in the expectation that God will change everything.” He told numerous stories about how prayer were answered in his life, the lives of his friends and those who’ve contacted him after reading his books, a US Congressman, and in his church. He spoke of “drawing a circle,” giving focus to our prayers and setting a canvas for God to paint a masterpiece, which he elaborates on more in his book The Circle Maker. I could’ve listened to him speak twice as long or longer. I have always said that I am no “prayer warrior,” and that prayer was something I needed to “work on,” but after hearing him speak, I realize how significant a part prayer really is to ministry.

Session 2: Chris Seay

The founder of Ecclesia Church Houston, Chris Seay is one of those people that immediately comes to mind for me when I think of “street ministry.” His insights on reaching the lost are so open, honest, and simple, he could truly be called a modern-day Paul. His main point is that to reach your neighbor, you have to find common ground and build a true relationship upon that, rather than constantly dwell on what differentiates. His point, which aligns with Paul’s style of ministry, is that if your neighbors are watching “The Sopranos,” then you should be familiar too, so that you have a basis to understand them and relate to them in a relevant and dynamic way. He is clearly passionate about this, and his passion is infectious. In this session, I felt reaffirmed in my own views regarding relationships and relevancy, and reigited to keep pressing on.

Video 2: Christian Healthcare Ministries

Session 3: Jon Acuff

This was easily the session I most looked forward to today. Jon Acuff is the author of the books Stuff Christians Like (which he signed my copy of today!), and Quitter. He also writes the Stuff Christians Like blog, and works for financial guru Dave Ramsey. He is delightfully funny, and hearing him describe his own thoughts running through his head make me feel less concerned about the circus that performs in my head constantly. In all seriousness, however, what he had to say was incredibly insightful. He outlined three things that leaders need to remember:

1.  Don’t compare. (Direct quote: “You cannot compare your
beginning to someone else’s middle.”)

2. Be smart about social media.

3. Ignore the voices. – He elaborated on how the voices we hear in our heads are
never positive.

He also talked about Jesus in his leadership was “Present” (“Be Present” is this year’s Catalyst theme). All in all, Acuff did not disappoint. Open, honest, insightful, witty, and relevant (not wanting to overuse that word, but it was consistently so all day), he pinpointed some of the things that I personally struggle with (especially comparisons and those nasty little voices).

Session 4: Carlos Whittaker, Amena Brown, & Michael Gungor

This session was almost a sightseeing experience. It was directly aimed at worship leaders, which I am not, unless you count leading kids in "Every Move I Make." Carlos Whittaker is a worship leader and recording artist, Amena Brown a poet (and a fantastic one), and Michael Gungor the lead singer of the band Gungor. Although I greatly enjoyed the session, it was the conversations afterward that truly inspired me. With Amena Brown, I was able to express appreciation for her work and laugh a bit (she has a great sense of humor), and with Carlos Whittaker and a young college student from Oklahoma--we had a brief but meaningful conversation about being the people God created us to be.

And I got to take this photo, where I look awful. I was making a comment and accidentally snapped the photo before I was ready. 

Video 3: A21 Campaign

 

Session 5: Reggie Joiner

The closing session of the day, Reggie Joiner, like Chris Seay, spoke on reaching outside our own world to minister in a meaningful and direct way to those who need to hear it. He used a example of a girl named Jen that he and others have been ministering to; she is a Taoist, churched as a teen, but walked away because of questions and doubts she had that were never answered. He talked about relating to our neighbors as friends first, rather than just a mission, even to the point that we will still be friends with them even if they never believe what we believe. His passion was evident, and, like with Chris Seay, I felt ignited to press in and build relationships with those around me who do not know Christ. Again, I could’ve listened to him speak much longer than he did, and it is because I was so attuned to what he said that I did not take good notes and cannot write more.

Reggie Joiner is the creator of ORANGE Ministry.

Video 4: Kammok International, LLC

I am REALLY looking forward to Day 1 of the Main Event!

Melissa McGinnis is the Children’s Ministry Director for LHF.

Coming This Week: CATALYST Experience

From Wednesday, May 8, through Friday, May 11, Erin & Melissa McGinnis will be attending the CATALYST Dallas Leadership Conference at Bent Tree Bible Fellowship in Carrolton, Texas.

We are excited to bring you, our readers, a daily retrospective of each day's sessions, as well as short video clips featuring different organizations set up at the conference.

It's going to be an amazing time of learning, fellowship, laughs, worship, and teaching. We are blessed to be able to share it with you. Be Present!

www.catalystdallas.com

Just Between You, Me, & God 5/7/2012

Back from a week of vacation and trying hard to get back in the routine of daily life. It’s easy to get pulled off course. Day light savings time sends us in a spin twice a year, long weekends, a holiday in the middle of the week, even an alarm clock that didn’t go off when it should have can disrupt our whole mode of operation. Don’t get me wrong, I like vacations, but I get used to my routine also. It sort of keeps me balanced and going in one direction. You get up at a certain time, there are certain things you do at certain times and in certain places. We sometimes call them habits and if you’re not careful they can become ruts. So what is your daily, weekly, monthly, yearly routine like? Is God a part of your daily routine or do you just work Him in once a week, or maybe every other month or so, or is it just that once a year visit around Christmas or Easter? We had a visitor at our little church on Sunday. I happened to greet him as he came in and I welcomed him and ask if he was new to our community. I got an answer I wasn’t expecting. He had been working down South and was on his way home to a town just North of us but he wasn’t going to make it back in time for worship service at his church. He saw our sign and decided to stop in and share in worship with us on his way home. One of his routines is to worship God on Sunday whether he is at home or away on business, that’s how important God is in his life. Going to church on a regular basis has become less of a routine in more and more lives. There are only so many hours in a day so whenever we delete something from our schedule that gap is quickly filled in with some other activity. In Hebrews 10:25 Paul tells us, “Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another---and all the more as you see the Day approaching.” Christianity is all about relationships, with Christ and with each other. There is power in numbers and when we come together with Christ in worship and fellowship, amazing things can happen in people’s lives. Please be faithful in your church attendance and participation and if you are not involved in a church, find one. Zig Ziglar once said, “If you’re letting a hypocrite stand between you and God that just means that the hypocrite is closer to God than you are.” Have a blessed week and bless someone this week with your attendance at church. Thanks for all you do, Pastor Dean

Pastor Dean Hanssen is the Ministries & Outreach Pastor for LHF.