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	<title>Making the Connection &#187; Preaching</title>
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	<link>http://theconnectionchurch.org/coleblog</link>
	<description>Pastor Cole Phillips</description>
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		<title>KIDstruction is Underway</title>
		<link>http://theconnectionchurch.org/coleblog/2010/05/kidstruction-is-underway/</link>
		<comments>http://theconnectionchurch.org/coleblog/2010/05/kidstruction-is-underway/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Tue, 11 May 2010 19:54:31 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Cole</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Celebration]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Family]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Preaching]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://theconnectionchurch.org/coleblog/?p=735</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[This week, we started a new message series called “KIDstruction: Raising Indestructible Kids” all about the building blocks of parenting. We had a great kickoff on Mother’s Day, that you can watch here if you missed it. Every successful building project begins with the foundation. If the foundation is solid, then, no matter what happens [...]


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			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><a href="http://theconnectionchurch.org/kidstruction-raising-indestructible-kids"><img class="alignleft" src="http://theconnectionchurch.org/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/kidstruction_banner_.jpg" alt="" width="290" height="145" /></a></p>
<p style="text-align: left;">This week, we started a new message series called <a title="KIDstruction" href="http://theconnectionchurch.org/kidstruction-raising-indestructible-kids" target="_blank">“KIDstruction: Raising Indestructible Kids”</a> all about the building blocks of parenting. We had a great kickoff on Mother’s Day, that you can <a title="Small Wonders message" href="http://theconnectionchurch.org/videoblog/2010/05/09/kidstruction-small-wonders/" target="_blank">watch here</a> if you missed it.</p>
<p>Every successful building project begins with the foundation. If the foundation is solid, then, no matter what happens in the future, the foundation will remain. As parents, it’s our job to lay that rock solid foundation in place in our homes as soon as we can.</p>
<p>How can we do that?</p>
<p>First, <strong>center your life around God and His Word. </strong>That means in every area: schedule, friendships, media, finances, and work. You can think of it like the spokes of a wheel with every spoke attached to the center. God will hold your life and family together when you put Him at the very center.</p>
<p>Second, <strong>establish family values. </strong>Every family has values, but many of them are unspoken and loosely defined. As a result, no one really knows what they are. You can make a list of the non-negotiables and the goals in your family. Let me give you a hint, it’s not just to survive. God wants to use your whole family to make a difference for Him. With clear, biblical values in place, your family can be extraordinary in making a difference.</p>
<p>Never underestimate the value of a strong foundation! And make sure you don’t miss a single message in this series to continue building an indestructible family. We’re meeting at Hemphill Elementary at 9:30am and 11:00am. See you there!</p>


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		<item>
		<title>It&#8217;s Getting Hot in Herre</title>
		<link>http://theconnectionchurch.org/coleblog/2010/02/its-getting-hot-in-herre/</link>
		<comments>http://theconnectionchurch.org/coleblog/2010/02/its-getting-hot-in-herre/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Wed, 03 Feb 2010 21:25:22 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Cole</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Celebration]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Preaching]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://theconnectionchurch.org/coleblog/?p=677</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[This week, we’re starting a brand new teaching series called RED HOT through the book of Song of Solomon and it’s gonna be HOT! At one time, the Jewish people were not allowed to even read Song of Solomon because of its steamy content. But, today, you hear explicit talk everywhere you turn. And yet [...]


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			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><a href="http://theconnectionchurch.org/coleblog/wp-content/uploads/2010/02/RedHotLogo2.jpg"><img class="alignleft size-medium wp-image-679" title="RedHotLogo2" src="http://theconnectionchurch.org/coleblog/wp-content/uploads/2010/02/RedHotLogo2-199x300.jpg" alt="RedHotLogo2" width="199" height="300" /></a>This week, we’re starting a brand new teaching series called <a title="Red Hot" href="http://theconnectionchurch.org/red-hot-heating-up-your-love-life" target="_blank">RED HOT</a> through the book of Song of Solomon and it’s gonna be HOT!</p>
<p>At one time, the Jewish people were not allowed to even read Song of Solomon because of its steamy content. But, today, you hear explicit talk everywhere you turn. And yet most people will admit that they’re like Mick Jagger and “Can’t Get No Satisfaction.” And in our age of Sexual Revolution, people are more frustrated and unfulfilled than ever.</p>
<p>Right now, there’s a song on the charts from Trey Songz called “I Invented Sex.” I’ve got news for you, don’t believe him. God is the One who invented sex. And He knows how it’s best.</p>
<p>At TCC, we never shy away from addressing real life issues and neither does God’s Word. So over the next six weeks, we’re going to dig into what God has to say about sex and relationships. And I’m already pumped about the potential this series has to take our marriages (or if you’re single, your future marriage) to a Whole ‘Notha Level!</p>
<p>I’ll see you this Sunday as we kick it off with “The Spark of Attraction” at 9:30 and 11am!</p>


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		<title>Seeing God in the Strangest Places</title>
		<link>http://theconnectionchurch.org/coleblog/2009/06/seeing-god-in-the-strangest-places/</link>
		<comments>http://theconnectionchurch.org/coleblog/2009/06/seeing-god-in-the-strangest-places/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Sun, 07 Jun 2009 18:08:36 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Cole</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Celebration]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Pop Culture]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Preaching]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://theconnectionchurch.org/coleblog/?p=544</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Here&#8217;s my true confession. I stood up this morning to preach and I realized that I didn&#8217;t add in the pictures in the PowerPoint of the weird places that people are seeing God. In fact, I could have easily added them before the second service, but I forgot to do it then too. There was [...]


Related posts:<ol><li><a href='http://theconnectionchurch.org/coleblog/2011/07/godonfilm2011/' rel='bookmark' title='Permanent Link: Can You Find God on Film?'>Can You Find God on Film?</a></li>
</ol>]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Here&#8217;s my true confession. I stood up this morning to preach and I realized that I didn&#8217;t add in the pictures in the PowerPoint of the weird places that people are seeing God. In fact, I could have easily added them before the second service, but I forgot to do it then too. There was just too much excitement this morning! So I thought I&#8217;d post them here.</p>
<p>Here is the picture of the letters G-O-D in fried salami and the image of Jesus on toast. It looks like someone took a bite. This gives a whole new meaning to what Jesus said about being the Bread of Life. Then you can see the Jesus Cheeto, otherwise known as Cheesus (soon to be available on eBay).</p>

<a href='http://theconnectionchurch.org/coleblog/2009/06/seeing-god-in-the-strangest-places/salamigod/' title='God in Lunch Meat'><img width="150" height="131" src="http://theconnectionchurch.org/coleblog/wp-content/uploads/2009/06/salamigod-150x131.jpg" class="attachment-thumbnail" alt="God in Lunch Meat" title="God in Lunch Meat" /></a>
<a href='http://theconnectionchurch.org/coleblog/2009/06/seeing-god-in-the-strangest-places/genthumbashx/' title='Shroud of Toast'><img width="150" height="150" src="http://theconnectionchurch.org/coleblog/wp-content/uploads/2009/06/genthumbashx-150x150.jpg" class="attachment-thumbnail" alt="Shroud of Toast" title="Shroud of Toast" /></a>
<a href='http://theconnectionchurch.org/coleblog/2009/06/seeing-god-in-the-strangest-places/cheesus/' title='Jesus on a Cheeto'><img width="150" height="150" src="http://theconnectionchurch.org/coleblog/wp-content/uploads/2009/06/cheesus-150x150.png" class="attachment-thumbnail" alt="Jesus on a Cheeto" title="Jesus on a Cheeto" /></a>

<p>What if all those people got their food together? It would make a heavenly lunch <img src='http://theconnectionchurch.org/coleblog/wp-includes/images/smilies/icon_smile.gif' alt=':)' class='wp-smiley' /> </p>
<p>If you missed this week&#8217;s kickoff for One Prayer, stop by <a title="The Connection Church videos" href="http://theconnectionchurch.tv/" target="_blank">theconnectionchurch.tv</a> to watch the message. I promise you this: God was in the House today at TCC!</p>


<p>Related posts:<ol><li><a href='http://theconnectionchurch.org/coleblog/2011/07/godonfilm2011/' rel='bookmark' title='Permanent Link: Can You Find God on Film?'>Can You Find God on Film?</a></li>
</ol></p>]]></content:encoded>
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		<item>
		<title>Romancing the Beast</title>
		<link>http://theconnectionchurch.org/coleblog/2007/02/romancing-the-beast/</link>
		<comments>http://theconnectionchurch.org/coleblog/2007/02/romancing-the-beast/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Thu, 15 Feb 2007 14:11:32 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Cole</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Family]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Music]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Preaching]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://theconnectionchurch.org/coleblog/?p=358</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[



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			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>In the immortal words of blues legend BB King: &quot;The thrill is gone! The thrill is gone!&quot; If that describes your marriage, you&#8217;re not alone. That&#8217;s what this Sunday&#8217;s service is all about: How to put the adventure back into your relationship.</p>
<p><a onclick="window.open(this.href, '_blank', 'width=150,height=100,scrollbars=no,resizable=no,toolbar=no,directories=no,location=no,menubar=no,status=no,left=0,top=0'); return false" href="http://colephillips.typepad.com/.shared/image.html?/photos/uncategorized/markschultz.jpg"><img title="Markschultz" height="66" alt="Markschultz" src="http://colephillips.typepad.com/cole_phillips/images/markschultz.jpg" width="100" border="0" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 5px 5px 0px" /></a> Last weekend I went to see <a href="http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewprofile&amp;friendID=41810611">Mark Schultz</a> in concert. I was in tears through most of the concert. He&#8217;s got a gift for storytelling through songs. Most of the time, I think those types of songs are schmaltzy and manipulative. But somehow, he does it and moves past my defenses.</p>
<p>He told a story and played his new single about a couple he knew who spent their entire lives together. The song <em><a href="http://phobos.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewAlbum?playlistId=196216227&amp;s=143441&amp;i=196216747">Walking Her Home</a></em> is like a summary of <em>The Notebook</em>, which also devastated me. SPOILER WARNING: We are trying to incorporate the song into this week&#8217;s service.</p>
<p><a onclick="window.open(this.href, '_blank', 'width=120,height=241,scrollbars=no,resizable=no,toolbar=no,directories=no,location=no,menubar=no,status=no,left=0,top=0'); return false" href="http://colephillips.typepad.com/.shared/image.html?/photos/uncategorized/romanticnights.jpg"><img title="Romanticnights" height="200" alt="Romanticnights" src="http://colephillips.typepad.com/cole_phillips/images/romanticnights.jpg" width="100" border="0" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 5px 5px 0px" /></a> If you want to add spark back into your marriage, I recommend checking out the <a href="http://www.familylife.com/marriage.asp">Family Life</a> website. And they&#8217;re running a special on their <a href="http://www.familylife.com/1-800-358-6329/detail.asp?id=10323">Simply Romantic Nights</a> stuff. It&#8217;s hot. I HIGHLY recommend ordering it.</p>
<p>Also coming this Sunday, I&#8217;m excited that a new vocalist, Amber Bogney, will be singing with our band. They&#8217;ll be performing a song by a band with a lead singer from New Braunfels that is usually thought of as a one-hit wonder&#8230; What song could it be?</p>


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		<title>Faithfulness Versus Effectiveness</title>
		<link>http://theconnectionchurch.org/coleblog/2007/02/faithfulness-versus-effectiveness/</link>
		<comments>http://theconnectionchurch.org/coleblog/2007/02/faithfulness-versus-effectiveness/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Tue, 13 Feb 2007 13:07:29 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Cole</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Evangelism]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Leadership]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Preaching]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://theconnectionchurch.org/coleblog/?p=362</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[



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			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Today I got to speak to a group of church leaders about effective communication. We discussed how you know if you &quot;hit a home run&quot; with a message, since this can be such a subjective task. The way we measure this at TCC is through our Connection Cards where people are encouraged to take very simple, practical, yet challenging next steps in their spiritual journey.</p>
<p>One pastor friend of mine gave some push back on this. His take on it was, &quot;God didn&#8217;t call me to be effective, only faithful. After all, how can we measure our success by the response of others who may not be spiritually mature?&quot;</p>
<p>Is it possible to be both faithful to God and effective? I believe it is. Ultimately, my goal is to present as many fully devoted Christ followers to God as I possibly can and squeeze the maximum redemptive potential out of my life.</p>


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