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.

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.

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.

Cups vs. Pitchers

You prepare a feast for me
in the presence of my enemies.
You honor me by anointing my head with oil. My cup overflows with blessings. (Psalm 23:5 NLT)

Most people know this verse (or the latter part of it). They talk about their cups overflowing when they feel blessed. And that's okay. It's a good thing to be blessed. It's even better to be grateful for it. But why stop at a cup?

Consider the shape of a cup. I often think of a "coffee mug," straight-sided and smooth. Many of us have accidentally poured too much coffee into a mug. The liquid runs over, runs down the side, and pools underneath or right around the cup. It doesn't go very far.

I prefer to think about overflowing like a pitcher. When a pitcher overflows, the liquid goes out and away from the pitcher. It doesn't stay pooled under the pitcher. The spout makes it pour, makes it flow away to what's around it.

Exodus 25:29 talks about special preparations for the dishes used to pour liquid offerings. Pitchers are mentioned, as are bowls, pans, and jars--but not cups. When a cup is poured, the liquid runs down the sides, clinging to the cup until the last minute. Therefore, it doesn't make a good container for outpouring.

When we cling to our overflowing blessings, not allowing them to spread out and touch those around us, we are the cup ("coffee mug"). We immerse ourselves in our "selves" and do not affect our world as effectively for Christ.

It is better to be a pitcher, to allow our blessings to pour out and touch those around us. When we do that, we make ourselves truly fit to pour out an offering.

Even if we look funny with a spout.

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