One Mommy's Confession: Joy, Failure, and Forgiveness

This Sunday morning, during service, since there were few kids in class, we stayed in "big church" for Worship before going to our classroom for our lesson, which we sometimes do (we're a small church and can be flexible that way). As I stood with my daughter, who is five (for one more week), above the music, the Worship Team, the congregation, and my own hardly-tiny alto voice, I heard my daughter, clearly and distinctly, singing along to "Heart of Worship"...a song I didn't even realize she knew the words to. She sang it in her little slightly off-key childish soprano, and occasionally twirled on the spot with her hands up. 

Suddenly, I found myself moved on a level completely unconnected with the words to the song. I thought about this week, which had been chaotic and had held several disappointments and irritations for me. I thought of the rough mornings when I lost my temper getting ready for school, every time I raised my voice or said something unkind to my daughter (or to my spouse while she was present). I considered each time I reacted instead of acted out of love, and I was heartily ashamed. I found myself, though still singing the words to the song, crying out to God for forgiveness and thanking Him that despite it all, despite my failings and shortcomings as a parent and a person, that my daughter still knew God's Love and His Joy and still had a reason to sing about it, raise her hands, and dance.




I am so thankful that even when I fail, God has placed people like our church family and her school friends and teacher, and positive, Godly influence like our local radio station (KVNE Encouragement FM--which is probably where she learned the words to the song) around her, like backup warriors in the battleground, to guide her when I am a poor example. And I am thankful that like my daughter (who informed me this morning that I am "the best mommy in the world"), I have a God who forgives me every time I mess up.

Thank you, God, for giving me "the best daughter in the world."

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

Just Between You, Me, & God 10/29/2012

TRICK OR TREAT!!! It’s that time of year already. In our neck of the woods (Northeast Texas) Halloween usually ushers in some of our first cooler weather, it signals the change from day light savings time, and marks the start of the Christmas selling season. I know the decorations have been up in some places since July but most people don’t really get serious about Christmas shopping until after Halloween. We usually buy enough candy for 200 kids and when we hit that number the porch light goes out and we go in even though there are still kids coming. What I enjoy are the little kids and the imagination that goes into their costumes. There are pirates and princesses, baseball players and ballerinas, ghost and gangsters, devils and dinosaurs. I know a lot of people get real legalistic and say that we’re supporting pagan holidays but for the kids it’s a chance to dress up and pretend to be someone they’re not, have some fun, see a lot of other neat costumes, and, oh yea, get some real good candy, if Dad doesn’t eat it all before they get home. As in watching TV, movies, video games, and other activities, it is the parent’s responsibility to teach their children through the experiences they are involved in. Every event is a teaching opportunity. As far as the mask go, why do adults get so upset about those. As adults, we change mask all day long, just ask your kids. If the phone rings while you’re upset with them, your voice changes dramatically as you pleasantly answer the phone. You’ve been in a foul mood all day but when you run into a friend at the store everything is great. You hate going to work in the morning but you’re not happy coming home either. You tell the pastor how much you enjoyed his sermon and complain about it all the way home. We teach our kids well. We tend to have a whole collection of mask and often wear ourselves out changing them all the time. It is a form of deception and lies but we had an expert teacher. 2 Cor. 11:14 tells us, “…Even Satan disguises himself as an angel of light.” Jesus describes Satan in John 8:44, “… When he lies, it is consistent with his character; for he is the father of lies.” So don’t just put on a happy face, change your attitude by taking on a new role model, Jesus Christ. No trick, just my treat, Pastor Dean.

Resources to inform Parents, Kids, and Teens About Bullying

October is National Anti-Bullying Month here in the US, and we will be spending this week posting about bullying and persecution. We hope that you will be blessed by what you read.

This week we have talked about bullying and persecution. Below are some resources that parents can use with their kids and teens.This is by no means a comprehensive list, but some resources that we have personally researched/viewed.

Children:

Bullying Prevention videos on EducationalTrainingVideos.com: there are several to look at and choose from. A good place to shop for videos and resources to use in a classroom or church.

The Berenstein Bears and the Bully: by Stan and Jan Berenstein, these classic characters are always loved by kids young and old. Sister Bear has to deal with a bully. The content is a little dated, but still relevant. My daughter enjoyed it immensely. This is a link to their page on Amazon.

Help Me to Be Good: Bullying by Joy Berry: Part of the Help Me to Be Good series, this book has a slightly moe modern approach, and urges children to be Christ-like in offering kindness to bullies, avoiding, and going to adults for help. This is a link to their entry on ChristianBook.com. 








Teens:

To Save a Life: This film appeals to teens because it is real, and although a faith-based film, it is a little gritty. A popular young man regrets the way he treated an old friend, sees his need to change, and through his belief in Jesus, becomes a new person and deals with the consequences of his actions. I have yet to meet a person who watched this that disliked it. NOT appropriate for young children, as it contains content about sex, drugs, drinking, and suicide. This is a link to the IMDB entry for this movie.

Cyberbully: An ABC Family production, this movie also strikes a chord with teens due to its open, real, and brutally honest portrayal of teen behavior. Emily Osment stars as Taylor Hillridge, a pretty but slightly awkward girl who becomes the subject of intense bullying, both online and in the halls at school. Some reviewrs have said it's a bit melodramatic, and that may be true, but I personally remember high school and remember girls very much like the antagonists in this film. This is the IMDB link. NOT apropriate for childre as it contains refereces to sex.




StopBullying.gov: US Government resources for teachers and parents of kids of all ages.

Again, this is not reotely a conclusive list. There are numerous books and video for all ages that talk about the subject. Please look online (Youtube is a great resource), and at your local library. Parents can also check with their local schools, which may have resources and can also share what they use with their students, as well as outline their anit-bullyig policies.

We hope that you have founnd something useful in what we posted this week. Please talk to your children and be active in their lives. Remember, YOU are their best earthly advocate. God Bless You.

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

Elementary School Bullying: "The Playground Bully"

October is National Anti-Bullying Month here in the US, and we will be spending this week posting about bullying and persecution. We hope that you will be blessed by what you read.

Many people today think of teenagers when they think of bullying, but the truth is it’s still a problem in the elementary schoolyard. The days of the "playground bully" exchanging a bloody nose for lunch money may seem dated, but haven't really disappeared; while money doesn't usually exchange hands, they still taunt the "weird kid" the "four-eyed kid," and the "fat kid." Despite the best efforts of a teacher/monitor/aide/coach/driver, there is no possible way to see and hear every single interaction between kids, especially in places like the playground, the gym, cafeteria, or school bus. While the motives have adjusted slightly with the times, there is still the very real possibility your child may be tormented by a bully.

My daughter, who is 5 and attending kindergarten, has already brought home stories of mean, bullying behavior from her classmates. Some has been directed at her (one of her classmates apparently has something to say about her wardrobe nearly every day), and some directed at her friends (one of her classmates went home with her braided hair full of dirt).

Here is a brief video where she talks about what to do when a bully is being mean:

Bottom line: a bully is rarely a bully for no reason; children are often bullies because they've been bullied. Talk to your children, find out as much of the whole story as possible, and if a problem persists, talk to your child’s teacher. Oftentimes, your child is not alone and other parents have done the same. Explain the steps you can take with your child: avoidance, forgiveness, kindness, alerting an adult. Enrolling your child in a class for self-defense, karate, etc. may make the child feel more confident, but always be sure your child understands fighting is the very last resort.

On Friday, we will post reviews and info about books and videos for your family that talk about bullying. One way I found information was to go to the public library and search for the keyword “bully.” I hope that you also find great info for your family.

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

Just Between You, Me, & God

October is National Anti-Bullying Month here in the US, and we will be spending this week posting about bullying and persecution. We hope that you will be blessed by what you read.

What scares you? There are a lot of different phobias out there. Arachnophobia is the fear of spiders, they’re alright to look at, I just don’t want them crawling on me. Cibophobia is the fear of food, anybody that knows me knows that food has a fear of me; it’s just not safe when I’m around. Then there is social phobia, the fear of people. At first look this might seem kind of silly but for more and more people it is a very real and serious fear. Week after week we hear of more and more cases of bullying at school and in neighborhoods. Kids are scared to go to school, they get physically sick, and sadly, some even resort to suicide in order to avoid the fear of being bullied. I remember as a kid, walking across the playground while a couple of boys threw rocks at me. None hit me but I was praying for protection. Unfortunately, some bullies grow up and continue to bully, only we give it an adult name, we call abusing. Physical, emotional, and verbal abuse for adults is rising at as fast a pace as it is for children. It happens at home, at work, while shopping, and on the road. When I was a ministry leader with Celebrate Recovery we heard a lot of testimonies that dealt with people who grew up under the heavy hand of abuse and bullying from family or strangers and even friends. A common theme in most instances is that “hurt people, hurt people.” At first this may sound strange but people who themselves have been hurt or abused are more likely to hurt and abuse others. Those who have been bullied truly need help dealing with what they went through and encouragement to overcome but you don’t keep water from going over a cliff by building a dam at the bottom, you have to go upstream and stop the flow of water before it reaches the edge. We need to look at the root cause of what is causing the bully to act this way and then work on changing their situation. In Matthew 5:43- 48 Jesus instructs us, “You have heard the law that says, ‘Love your neighbor’ and hate your enemy. But I say, love your enemies! Pray for those who persecute you! In that way, you will be acting as true children of your Father in heaven. For he gives his sunlight to both the evil and the good, and he sends rain on the just and the unjust alike. If you love only those who love you, what reward is there for that? Even corrupt tax collectors do that much. If you are kind only to your friends, how are you different from anyone else? Even pagans do that. But you are to be perfect, even as your Father in heaven is perfect.” Knowing that God loves us all is a starting point that needs to be pursued constantly on both sides of this dilemma. Praying for you all, Pastor Dean.

Special Guest Worship Leader at LHF 10/21/2012

Our Worship Leader, Gerald "Sal" Salzrulo, is a Reservist, and therefore spends one weekend per month continuing to serve our country. He has lined up a special guest Leader for LHF tomirrow, and here's a little about him, in his own words:

Hi, my name is Justin Ito. I grew up in Tokyo, Japan, as a missionary/pastor's kid. I have been a worship leader in my church since I was 15, and I have lead my youth group for 2 years. I came to Texas for the purpose of studying marketing at LeTourneau University, and I am enjoying every moment of it. My whole life has been centered around the salvation of the Japanese people, so being in the U.S. has been a challenge to find a new vision and a new calling for this season in my life. I believe that even though this is the Bible Belt, God is doing a new and good work here. I am excited to see what it is, and I am determined to be a part of it.

Just Between You, Me, & God 10-8-2012

"In fourteen hundred and ninety two, Columbus sailed the ocean blue." Well it is Columbus Day here. How many of you remember that little poem? Some of the first history lessons we learn in school are about Christopher Columbus. It has been a long time ago but I still remember that his voyage was intended to find a quicker route to the Indies in order to more easily obtain spices, textiles and other consumables. The fear of the day was that the world was flat and that if you sailed too far toward the horizon that you would fall off the face of the Earth. Since those early days of school I've done some research myself. I have a little excerpt from the journal of Christopher Columbus that I want to share with you. " Your Highnesses, as Catholic Christians, and princes who love and promote the holy Christian faith, and are enemies of the doctrine of Mahomet, and of all idolatry and heresy, determined to send me, Christopher Columbus, to the above-mentioned countries of India, to see the said princes, people, and territories, and to learn their disposition and the proper method of converting them to our holy faith; and furthermore directed that I should not proceed by land to the East, as is customary, but by a Westerly route, in which direction we have hitherto no certain evidence that any one has gone."
Sounds to me like his real purpose was to share and spread the Gospel with other countries. I would have to speculate that Columbus had also read or at least heard Isaiah 40:22 which begins, “It is he that sitteth upon the circle of the earth…” (KJV). The NLT put it this way, “God sits above the circle of the earth…” The verse indicates that over 2000 years before Columbus set sail it was understood that the earth was a sphere. To a much larger extent today, we are being told and taught that we are not a Christian nation. On many points I would have to agree that we, as a nation, have tolerated many actions that do not follow the Word of God. In my message yesterday, from Matt. 16:13-17, we talked about Jesus’ question to Peter and to us, “Who do you say that I am?” We talked about how our actions often speak louder than our words in our response to the question. Let’s take it just a little farther. “Who do say that I am” in your marriage, in your business life, in your relationships with friends and relatives, in the raising of your children, in your civic duties, and in your commitment to your Church. Like Peter, we are quick to answer that Jesus is the Christ, the Messiah, but do your actions deny your declaration. In a politically correct and morally corrupt world can we still stand firm in our commitment to Christ? Yes! It will require that you study and accept God’s principles through His Word. It will require you to become active in living out the Gospel at work, at home, and in public. You will have to learn to stand up for Christ and stop supporting unchristian values and not lean on the Government and the ways of the world. You’ll have to be sure of your belief like Peter, and brave and committed like Christopher Columbus for the cause of advancing the Gospel. It can be done and you are the ones to do it. God bless you for all you do, Pastor Dean

Pastor Dean Hanssen is the Outreach & Ministries Pastor for LHF. We apologize that this was published today rather than yesterday, but technology isn't always terribly cooperative. 

My Morning Coffee

I think if I wake up and don't have the money to buy my grande white chocolate macadamia nut frappecino
I may possibly not be passing any of my college classes. As a student with two jobs I have a quite busy schedule (especially when the Marine Corps sends out surprise study assignments). But for some reason, no matter how bad I feel at 0700 in the morning, everyday I always feel better after making my morning trip to the coffee shop.

In Matthew 6:11 Jesus states "give us this day our daily bread". (They didn't have coffee back then).

But I don't think Jesus was speaking literally here when he says this. Jesus is praying that God will give him his daily "wake up call" to open his eyes to the glory that he has awaken to. One important thing to note is that in order for Jesus to receive his daily bread he had to pray for it, which is one thing that is reflected into our life. We as Christians also have to pray for our daily bread in order to receive it.
Psalm 118:24 says "this is the day that The Lord has made; so rejoice and be glad in it". So ask yourself, how are you treating each day? Is it a blessing? Do you wake up excited, rejoicing, dancing, and overwhelmed with the glory of God? If not take some time out each day to pray for your daily bread (or coffee) and let God give you the "caffeine" boost you need to jump start your day.

Gerald D. Salzarulo is the Worship Leader and Youth Leader for LHF.

Welcome Aboard Sal!

Living Hope Fellowship is proud to introduce our new Worship Leader, Gerald "Sal" Salzarulo. We are really excited because this young man is a dedicated, passionate musician and leader. He is a student at LeToureau University in East Texas, a part of their Worship Arts Program (a new program, only in it's second year). He believe he has a powerful ministry ahead of him and are thrilled to be a part of it!

If you look on our website, you will find this on our front page:

Hi I'm Gerald D. Salzarulo (or just Sal for short). I grew up in a small town in far East Texas called Alto. I started playing the guitar at the age of 8 and started writing my own music and and singing at about 12. My initial ideas was to play country music but God had different plans, later leading me to be a worship leader and youth director. My junior year in high school I joined the Marine Corps with the MOS of 0651 Data Network Specialist. After completing my basic and mos courses I left 29 palms California to come back to small town east Texas and continue my pursuit of a career in music. I now attend LeTourneau University in Longview, Texas for a degree in Christian Worship Arts and currently act as the Worship leader for LHF! 

Not only is Sal taking over the Worship Leader duties for LHF, he will also be revamping and reviving our Youth Ministry, which we are equally (if not more) excited about. He will bring a fresh, youg perspective o ministering to the teens in our church and community, and we look forward to seeing his ministry bloom.

If you're in the area on a Sunday morning, come check out this guy's awesome talent and contagious zeal for ushering in the presence of God!

Watch below as Sal performs "God of Wonders" with a friend.

Just Between You, Me, & God 10/2/2012

"Be careful of what you ask for, because you just might get it." This is a statement that my Mom would use often when one of us three boys would wish for a circumstance to change in our lives, hopefully improving our situation. We've all wished for things to change from time to time like, I wish I was older (that's when I was young). That wish came true but now I can't go back. I wish I could play sports like that guy or sing like that girl or was as smart as that person or was as handsome or good looking as that one. Zig Zigler used to talk about wishing for other people’s talent. He would say, "What would you do with someone else's talent? The answer is, not a cotton pickin thing, if you're not already using the talent you've got." I wish I had more money. The famous multimillionaire John D. Rockefeller was once asked, "How much money is enough?" to which he replied, "Just a little more." It seems that we are never satisfied. God gave you the spouse that you asked for but now you tell Him, "That was OK God but, you know the one I really wanted is that one over there." I wish I was thinner, stronger, taller, shorter, and healthier; the list goes on and on. Here's another one I've heard a lot lately, "I wish Jesus would return." That's one we might want to think about a little more. Are you really ready for Jesus' return? Zephaniah tells us that we should be in repentance in Chapter 2: 1-3, "Gather together-yes, gather together, you shameless nation. Gather before judgment begins, before your time to repent is blown away like chaff. Act now, before the fierce fury of the Lord falls and the terrible day of the Lord's anger begins. Seek the Lord, all who are humble, and follow His commands. Seek to do what is right and to live humbly. Perhaps even yet the Lord will protect you-protect you from His anger on that day of destruction." (NLT). Jesus Himself tells us in Matt. 24:37-39, "When the Son of Man returns, it will be like it was in Noah's day. In those days before the flood, the people were enjoying banquets and parties and weddings right up to the time Noah entered his boat. People didn't realize what was going to happen until the flood came and swept them all away. That is the way it will be when the Son of Man comes." I am afraid that many in the Church are going to be caught saying, "I wish I had kept His commands, I wish I had studied His Word so that I would have been prepared, I wish I had lived my life as Jesus instructed, I wish I would have given my life to Him before He took mine from me." Just like Adam and Eve, we have the choice to follow and obey or to do it our own way. If you don't want to get left behind then it's time you got on the boat. There is only one way out and that is through Jesus Christ. Accept Him as your Savior, believe in your heart that he is the one true Son of God, that He died on the cross for your sins and that on the third day he arose from the grave to give those who believe everlasting life, and change your life today to give up your old ways because you have been reborn into a new Christian life of action, not just passively sitting by and waiting. Do this now and we will sit at His table together. Pastor Dean

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