By Keshia Dawn - Dallas South News Intern The admission is free. There are no bouncers at the door and there's plenty of room for those who want in. Hats are welcome (especially crowns sitting atop saintly heads) and three piece suits often lead the entrance through double doors. But what about those wearing sneakers? How about jeans? Dress codes are "strictly enforced" on the club scente, but what about at church? The old mantra, ‘come as you are’ is music to the ears of those who seek a change. So they go to the Lord's house: some in jeans, some in sundresses, and maybe even in shorts. For those lost and trying to find their way in life, an inviting and safe place to worship can bring ease in the midst of transition. Being accepted by a welcoming church family can make the new lifestyle easier for the weary and confused. But as the newcomer settles into membership, the same clothing worn before their change often become a source of ridicule that ostracizes them. Head shaking, stares, and whispers let the offending party know that something is amiss. Who is to say exactly what should be worn behind chapel doors? ...

The 2nd Blogging While Brown Conference gets underway on Friday at Chicago's University Center with a Beginning Bloggers Boot Camp. Conference organizer Gina McCauley afforded me the opportunity to serve as programming chair for the conference, and I'm excited about the group of panelists and presenters that we were able to pull together. Here' the schedule: June 20, 2009 - Blogging While Brown Conference 8:00AM. - 8:30AM Registration 8:30AM Introductory remarks 8:35AM Workshop: “The Competent Blogger” This workshop will cover tapping into talent communities using web 2.0 tools and techniques to find lucrative and rewarding career opportunities. This is a must attend workshop for anyone interested in building an online presence or pursuing a long-term career in IT. This presentation will address all aspects of careers In IT and the core competencies necessary to build and sustain a vibrant, fulfilling and prosperous career powered by the web 2.0 social networking phenomenon. The workshop includes , research results from the 2009 IT Job Outlook Readers Poll, skill sets that are hot in the current job market, and how to use social networking to “get discovered” for the hot job opportunities How to build a successful online business in the IT Industry Presenter: Milt Hayes ...

$20,000 Scholarship Recipient Honored The House of Hope Church is celebrating all graduates! On Sunday, June 7, 2009 at 10 a.m., we will host Graduates Recognition Day on our campus at 1420 High Pointe Lane in Cedar Hill, Texas. This event will honor every graduate with a particular focus on those graduating from Cedar Hill High School. Special recognition also will be given to the newest recipient of the Cedar Hill High School/The House of Hope Church Georgetown College Scholarship. Kevonna Webb, has been awarded a $20,000 annual scholarship, which she will receive for four years, totaling $80,000. This is the second year of the unique partnership between The House of Hope and Georgetown College. The total amount of scholarships awarded is over $200,000. Georgetown College is a private liberal arts college in Georgetown, Kentucky which has the distinction of being a part of Oxford University in Oxford, England. Students attending Georgetown have the opportunity to study abroad at Oxford during their junior year. The partnership with Georgetown College is one of the community efforts by THOH to offer hope for a quality higher education to academically talented and economically challenged students. We launched THOH two ...

BY BIBLELESSONCONNECTION.COM Inspiring Bible Characters Paul and Silas In this week’s study of inspiring bible characters, we look at Paul and Silas. As you probably already know, Paul was a champion in the ministry of Jesus Christ. He and Silas are trying to do the work of the Lord and they find themselves in a bad predicament because they have sought to do something that is good. In their story, we see how the Lord is able to sustain us during the difficulty we experience in life. Read this weeks entire lesson at BibleLessonConnection.com Paul and Silas on a Mission Acts 16: 9-12 Paul is convinced through a vision that the Macedonians need help. Paul, feeling as though the Lord had called him to preach to them, leaves for Macedonia immediately. Paul has a vision that the Macedonians need help. Instead of money, food, water, supplies or protection from an enemy, Paul assumes that the help they need is to hear the gospel of Jesus Christ. Life Lesson: Sometimes, the best help you can offer to someone in need is to give them the Word of God. The Word of God will nourish a person for a lifetime. Paul and Silas meet Lydia Acts 16: 13-15 Lydia was worshipping God. Her heart ...

Last year for the 40th anniversary of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s assassination, CNN’s launched their documentary series Black in America as reported by anchor and special correspondent Soledad O’Brien. CNN will re-air on April 4th and 5th at 8:00 pm and 11:00 pm ET and PT. Listen to my very roughly executed interview of Soledad from last year by clicking below. [audio:Soledad Interview MP3.mp3] In the documentary, O’Brien described how escaped convict and armed robber James Earl Ray had already spent an uncommon year on the run that included plastic surgery the month before his path collided with that of the civil rights leader in Memphis, Tenn. Through interviews with first-person witnesses and investigators, O’Brien retraces the steps of King, Ray and investigators and explores alternative scenarios of what may have happened that fateful day on April 4, 1968. This was an excellent documentary worth watching again and a must for anyone who wasn't able to catch it last year.  More information can be found at www.cnn.com/blackinamerica

By BibleLessonConnection.com In our study of inspiring bible characters, we examine The Wife of Noble Character. Because of the difficult state of many marriages today, it is necessary that we say something that might inspire both husband and wife. While this particular passage of scripture we will study focuses on the role of the wife, we shall also look briefly at instructions the Bible offers for the husband. Click here for Flash version or here for PDF of this week's lesson. The Wife of Noble Character •Proverbs 31: 10-12 –The Bible is telling us that it is difficult to find a wife of noble character and that if found, she is worth far more than rubies. –Her husband has full confidence in her. He knows she has dedicated herself to him and no other man. He believes in her and he lacks nothing of value because she makes sure he is taken care of. – She brings him good, not harm. The noble wife is good for her husband. She is of help to him and he benefits from her presence in his life. She is respected and praised… •Proverbs 31: 28-31 –Her children and husband respect and praise her because of her character and work ethic. –She fears the ...

Tuesday night, President Barack Obama held his 2nd prime time press conference. The President started the press conference with a 7 minute statement where he spoke directly to the American people, seeking to assure them with regards to the economy and his budget plan. Then he took questions. The reporters were very focused on asking questions about the budget, whether or not the President's deficit spending would spiral out of control, and of course AIG. The White House Press Corp. repeated a few questions, an excessive amount of time on Republicans who have been critical of the President's budget and deficit spending. "First of all, I suspect that some of those Republican critics have a short memory, because as I recall, I’m inheriting a $1.3 trillion deficit, annual deficit, from them," Obama said in response to claims that his budget was the most irresponsible in American history. "...there’s a interesting reason why some of these critics haven’t put out their own budget. I mean, we haven’t seen an alternative budget out of them," he went on to say, "...the reason is because they know that, in fact, the biggest driver of long-term deficits are the huge ...

Gener8Xion Entertainment’s Latest Movie The Cross Opens Nationwide March 27th Feature documentary relates one man’s 40-year quest carrying a 12-foot cross around the world LOS ANGLELES, CA, March 2009--Gener8Xion Entertainment’s feature documentary “The Cross – The Arthur Blessitt Story” opens nationwide March 27, 2009. “The Cross” is the story of one of the most unique individuals to walk the face of the earth. For the past forty years Arthur Blessitt has done something no one else has ever done, carried a twelve foot wooden cross through 315 nations, territories and island groups - or in other words every inhabited place in the world. “I wanted to explore exactly what it is that drives a man like this,” says director Matthew Crouch, who also produces the film along with Richard J. Cook and Stephan Blinn. “The guy’s in the Guinness Book of World Records! Is he just a nut? A crazed fanatic? Or something else? Maybe some Old Testament prophet come back to walk the Earth!” The Cross Film Trailer “Some people laugh when they see me carrying the cross down the street,” ...

By BibleLessonConnection.com Click here to read the entire lesson Philip was one of seven men chosen by the (Jewish People) to handle certain leadership duties while the twelve disciples focused on spreading the Gospel (Acts 6: 3-4). Philip and his counterparts were full of the Spirit and had great wisdom (Acts 6: 5). In this lesson of inspiring bible characters, we will see how one man can have a great impact on the lives of others. Hopefully, through Philip, we will see how we, too, can do something powerful in the name of God. Philip spreads the Gospel •Acts 8: 4-8 –The Bible says that Philip proclaimed Christ. Philip’s dedication to Christ and His Word is an example for us to follow. Do you proclaim Christ to others? What are some ways that you can personally spread the news of Jesus Christ to those you come in contact with? –Philip ministered to the needs of the people and they were healed. We all know people who are hurting and in need. We have frequent opportunities to assist those who need our help. You can be a listening ear to someone who is dealing with a life crisis, give Godly advice to a loved one, or pray for ...

Despite the bad weather, we had an outstanding turnout at Dallas South's initial Get Into The City. Thanks to Ms. Jan Gore who provided an excellent atmosphere at Texas Caribbean Foods, as well as The Beat Condos and Southside on Lamar who were sponsors of the event. And thanks to John Spriggins who's art was on display for the evening. Those who joined us asked when we're going to have our next GITC. We're scheduled to hold an official Get Into the City in June, though we may have a warmup prior to that. Stay tuned to Dallas South for updates. In the meantime, check the photo gallery below and see all of the fun that you missed. [gallery link="file" order="DESC"]