There are 3 key steps you can take at the kiosk. Today, fewer people are carrying around cash or even checks. While everywhere you go, you can use a debit card, the church is the last place that seems to understand that this is how people operate. I know for me, I usually have very little cash on hand and I never carry a check book (it’s in a drawer somewhere at home with the Muppets printed on them). So now, people will be able to give their tithes and offerings through the kiosk, in addition to the typical ways they’ve been able to give. You can also find out more info on Connection Groups and ministry teams and sign up for them instantly. There will even be an opportunity to register for events and even pay for them if there is a fee associated with an event.

So be on the lookout for this innovative addition this summer and check it out for yourself.

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I’m taking some time today to remember how blessed I am to have easy access to clean, safe water. To those in Ethiopia & Malawi today, may God richly supply their needs. To those here with excess, may we grow in our generosity.

Here’s the report:

Your money was sent to Ethiopia and Malawi.

About six months ago, your funds were pooled with those of other mycharity: water campaigns to help thousands of people in Ethiopia and Malawi. We invested your money with our local partners, Relief Society of Tigray (REST) and Action Against Hunger (ACF) in Ethiopia and Pump Aid in Malawi, to build and rehabilitate freshwater wells and spring protections for people in need. They’re also teaching communities about safe hygiene practices and forming local Water Committees to look after the projects when they’re finished.

When your projects are complete, our partners will go back and collect GPS coordinates, photos and other details from each community. Then, they’ll send all the data to us so we can create a project report for you and all your donors to share! We don’t consider a project fully finished until the local Water Committees have been trained and the community has taken responsibility for their water point. 

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1. Giving Water, Giving Life This Christmas.

I hope you’ll take a few minutes to watch the video above where I just get to share my heart behind what we’re doing through “The Next BIG Thing.” Yes, we could just celebrate the incredible things God has done through The Connection Church to see atheists become missionaries. But we won’t slow down, let up, or back down from our mandate to lift up the name of Jesus and tell everyone we can about Him. And God has laid 4 specific next steps in front of us that we are excited about taking over the next year.

So listen in, pray up, and write down your commitment so you can fully be a part of this shared effort.

We have an awesome opportunity set before us to know God more intimately and see thousands of lives changed! And as we follow hard after God together, I know you’ll be better for it too.

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Click here to view this photo book larger

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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!

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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:

1. Rules – Relationship = Rebellion
2. Relationship – Rules = Destruction
3. 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.”

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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.

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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!

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1. Can You Find God on Film?

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!

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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!

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