Making the Connection

A Year in Pictures

Cole — Tue, 20 Dec 2011 20:50:05 +0000

Click here to view this photo book larger

Start your own Shutterfly Photo Book today.

No related posts.

Giving Water, Giving Life This Christmas.

Cole — Fri, 09 Dec 2011 02:57:56 +0000

Go to your tap and turn on your faucet. The most amazing thing happens. Water streams forth. It’s a convenience we take for granted. But still today, almost a billion people on our planet don’t have access to clean drinking water. Stop. Reread that sentence. It should give us pause to know that we are so blessed.I wonder why God has chosen to shed His grace on us in such a huge way. Could it be that we are blessed to be a blessing?

Last year, you built a water well in Peru through your Christmas Offering. Check out what Shannon from Living Water International had to say about what God did through you:

“Your water project is complete in Peru! Praise God! You have served an entire community of 140 with clean, safe water in Jesus’ name. It is unbelievable to look at the previous water source – from the polluted river. These people were in desperate need! Thank you for your partnership in serving the thirsty.”

This was so successful that we are led to do it again this year for another village. When we give the gift of water, we’re giving life, health, and a tangible expression of God’s love as well as offering them eternal life through Jesus Christ!

Other receipts from this year’s Presence offering will be invested in positioning The Connection Church to continue shining out the light to Central Texas in 2012.

Will you join me in praying to ask God what He would have you give “over and above” this year? We can’t all give the same amount, but we can all do something. In my family, we give our most expensive Christmas gift to the birthday boy, Jesus, through His church. If you choose to give online, you can click right here. Or, you can bring it to The Connection Church this month.

I thank God for using us to save lives through The Connection Church. I can’t wait to see what God will do as we give back to Him because of all He’s given to us this year!

Giving Away My Birthday For Water

Daddy Dates Book Review

Cole — Wed, 05 Oct 2011 02:39:58 +0000

I live in a house of girls. So, every night, we gather around and have a little awards ceremony to award the best actress of the day. Not really, but as the only male in a house full of females, I can tell you there’s a lot of drama! And I wouldn’t have it any other way.

But I admit that sometimes my man-brain has a hard time understanding the way that girls think. And as a dad, it’s especially challenging as I work to raise young godly women in a culture that, in so many ways, is geared against us.

In Greg Wright’s book, Daddy Dates: Four Daughters, One Clueless Dad, and His Quest to Win Their Hearts: The Road Map for Any Dad to Raise a Strong and Confident Daughter, I got a clear glimpse into the ways he has successfully navigated some of the turbulent waters ahead of me. This Austin native has four daughters and he’s passing on his wisdom to the rest of clueless dads. He says that our most important job as a husband and dad is to pursue the women in our family as long as we’re breathing.

It’s too easy to try to parent on auto-pilot. But Greg stresses the importance of winning our daughter’s hearts by being intentional through a strategy of having regular daddy-daughter dates, not just for the purpose of hanging out together, but to gain greater understanding into their hearts and to speak into their lives as they grow.

He offers some relational equations that are helpful:

Rules – Relationship = Rebellion
Relationship – Rules = Destruction
Relationship + Rules = Connection

And this one sums it up: Talk + Action + Time = Trust

While freely admitting his mistakes, Greg also seems to have done it right. This book gives me hope and encouragement as a dad. And I’m newly inspired to take being a dad to the next level. He gives insight into having good talks, ideas for great date nights, and guidelines for dealing with some of the particular struggles that our girls will face as they grow to maturity.

If you want to grow and learn how to better understand the girls in your family, I highly recommend picking up a copy of this book, available here.

I read the Kindle version provided to me by BookSneeze®.com book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

No related posts.

I Will Remember

Cole — Sun, 11 Sep 2011 07:03:30 +0000

10 years ago today, we woke up to a new reality. It was a new world where life would never be quite the same. I vividly recall how surreal it was as we watched the second tower attacked while still trying to process the first. We chose to believe in the face of fear. We chose to unite in spite of our differences.

This summer, as I visited the site of ground zero, I was struck by the size of the damage that was done. In some ways, the face of our nation was scarred. But the scars serve to remind us that we are healing. And if we really do remember, we will recommit today to all that it means to be an American.

I’m proud of my country and today, I will remember.

No related posts.

What’s the Word?

Cole — Sat, 10 Sep 2011 02:42:44 +0000

Did ye know that this year marks the 400th birthday of the King James Version of the Bible? There’s no doubt the most published book in history is also the most influential book in the world. But while the average American has 4 copies of the Bible in their homes, not to mention access to the Bible for free on the Internet, it’s also the dustiest book in most of our libraries.

Why is that? Because, like the long term prisoner who only had a Bible and wrote all kinds of trivia on the walls of his cell while missing out on its true meaning, too often we have been taught to approach the Bible for more information instead of applying it to our lives for transformation. I’m excited about starting our new series “Word Up!” this week because we’re going to learn practical skills for getting the most out of the Bible. I believe it’s the key to not only seeing lives changed, but ultimately for changing our world.

I want to personally invite you to be our guest this Sunday and invite your friends to join you! Verily, I shall seest ye there!

Can You Find God on Film?

Real Dads of Courage

Cole — Wed, 07 Sep 2011 16:23:45 +0000

It’s been a while since I got to make a fun video. Thanks to Rene Rodriguez for the sound production, Mike Reid for the script, Trey Williams for consulting, Makenzie for filming, and to the lead singer for appearing in our parody. Here’s to you Mr. Dad of Little Humans!

No related posts.

It Was 20 Years Ago Today…

Cole — Tue, 09 Aug 2011 19:39:53 +0000

No, not when Sgt. Pepper was teaching the band to play. That was long before. But 20 years ago today, I married my high school sweetheart, Pam. And looking back on that day, we were so young and had absolutely no idea what we were getting into. All I knew was that I loved this girl and wanted to spend my life with her. As it turned out, it was the best decision I ever made. I didn’t know at the time that she would grow more lovely as the years go by (and how they fly by too fast).

With the Lord as our constant foundation, we have held onto each other no matter what we’ve faced. We’ve been blessed with 2 beautiful daughters (they get their looks from their mom!). There’s no doubt that without Pam, The Connection Church wouldn’t be where we are today. In fact, her dreams for TCC are so big, that she is a source of motivation for all of us to reach out with God’s love.

Sweetheart, in case you ever wonder, I want you to never doubt that you are worthy, that I love you with my whole heart, and you are my precious princess. You are an example of Proverbs 31! Thank you for walking through life by my side!

Because of where we’ve come in these 2 decades, I can’t wait to see what the next chapters hold for us together!

No related posts.

LEAP Into Ministry

Cole — Tue, 12 Jul 2011 19:10:09 +0000

Look before you leap! That’s true when it comes to ministry too. In the book of Jeremiah, God says,

“And I will give you shepherds after my own heart, who will guide you with knowledge and understanding.” (Jeremiah 3:15, NLT)

God wants those who are ministers to be “after His heart.” It’s an interesting phrase that at first glance seems to mean that He obviously wants us to be godly and represent His character. While that’s true, there’s another level of the meaning here too that means that we are to passionately pursue after God’s heart.

Serving effectively as a minister isn’t instantaneous. It doesn’t happen with a degree or a title. Unfortunately, there’s no shortcut to success. But the promise here is that God will give knowledge and understanding.

What is it that God wants us to understand? I want to use the word to LEAP to hit four quick areas where we need to grow:

Leadership: This is the ability to effectively cast vision, to develop winning strategies, and motivate and empower others to carry out God’s vision together

Equipping: This is the ability to see the potential in others, to recruit them for ministry, to train others, develop them, give away ministry, and skillfully teach others

Attitude: Ministry starts in the heart, with a positive attitude and a stick-to-it-ive persistence that never gives up

People: You might have heard that ministry would be easy if it weren’t for the people, but we often forget that ministry is all about people. And we’re in the people business. So we need to learn to communicate clearly, relate with all kinds of people, and resolve conflict in a healthy way

Yes, it’s a tall order. So always look before you LEAP!

No related posts.

Happy Birthday America!

Cole — Mon, 04 Jul 2011 23:34:13 +0000

Freedom! It’s as natural to us as breathing, so we don’t often think about it. How often I take my freedom for granted.

Today, we remember. And we celebrate. We’re free to live and move and worship and work and learn and earn and speak and love.

Thanks to all those brave men and women in the past and the present who are sacrificing for the freedom we enjoy today!

I’m getting together tonight with friends and family to watch the Kyle fireworks display (one of the few shows in our area happening tonight), renewed in my thankfulness for freedom and for the freedom we have in Christ. Let us never take it lightly!

No related posts.

Can You Find God on Film?

Cole — Fri, 01 Jul 2011 20:35:16 +0000

This weekend, we’re kicking off the series that has been an annual event at The Connection Church: God On Film. We love hero stories, because they inspire us to be something greater and more. This year, with all the superhero movies flooding the theaters, we thought it’d be fun to leverage the idea of heroes to focus on how we can be heroes in our everyday life.

Many people ask, “Why would we do a series that leverages Hollywood to teach Biblical principles?” Well, Hollywood pours millions of dollars into marketing their product and they capture the attention of our culture. We get to piggyback on that interest to teach something deeper that can really change lives. But also, movies are modern-day parables. Matthew 13:34 says that, “Jesus always used stories and illustrations like these when speaking to the crowds. In fact, he never spoke to them without using such parables.” Jesus used the power of a good story to teach a more important spiritual truth.

This is the perfect time to invite your friends to check out what’s happening. Trust me, they’ll be interested!

This Summer, you can either glide through, or you can make the choice to grow in your walk with God like never before. I look forward to seeing you this week as we get behind the blockbuster movies to find the spiritual truths that can lead us to have a stronger connection with God and with others.

Why The World Isn’t Ending This Weekend