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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1. Giving Away My Birthday For Water

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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Water is essential for life, and the key to health, business, and education. Millions of people get deadly diseases from contaminated water that you and I wouldn’t even want to walk through, much less drink. 45,000 people will die this week from the lack of access to clean, safe water. Those who survive have to walk for hours everyday to get nasty water to give to their families. This is unimaginable and inexcusable when we can do something about it.

So my birthday wish this year is to provide safe clean drinking water for people in need. I’m so thankful that I don’t need anything this year. Not another iTunes card or another electronic gadget. This year is all about saving lives.

This is my 41st birthday and my wish list is simple: I’m asking that you give $41 or more to provide the gift of water. It’s not for me, 100% will go directly to freshwater projects for people in developing nations. Will you partner with me to make a difference? Go to this site to find out how you can get involved: http://mycharitywater.org/colephillips

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At Christmas, we celebrate the greatest gift of all: God so loved the world that He GAVE His only Son! We want to help you keep Christ at the center of your Christmas celebration. When we give gifts this year, let’s prayerfully consider what we’ll offer the birthday boy Himself, Jesus Christ. He deserves our greatest gift!

That’s why we’re having our annual Christmas Presence Offering. God has called us to be His hands and feet both here and around the world.

This year’s offering will be used to build a well for clean, safe drinking water to those in a poverty-stricken country through Living Water International. When we give the gift of a well, we’re giving life, health, and a tangible expression of God’s love to a village of over 250 people!

Other receipts from this year’s offering will be invested in positioning The Connection Church to continue shining out the light to Central Texas in 2011.

Here’s what we’re asking everyone to do:

• Pray and ask God what He would have you give “over and above” your regular tithes and offerings. We can’t all give the same amount, but we can all do something.

• Bring your “over and above” offerings with you during the month of December as we celebrate His blessings or give online here.

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!

Related posts:

1. Giving Away My Birthday For Water

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• PRAY! Talk to God about what you’re going through. Tell Him the hurt that you’re feeling. You need to express it and He stands ready to hear it. 1 Peter 5:7 reminds us to, “Cast all your cares on Him, for He cares for you.” God really does care about your situation and He can take it.

You may be thinking, “Why pray? I already did that and I still lost my job.” Understand that prayer isn’t a way that we control God. Instead, prayer is a way that God works in our lives to make us more like Him. Keep on talking and listening to Him to lead you through this period in your life.

• You are not your job. There is a huge difference between who you are and what you do for a living. If you are in Christ, you are His child and you are fully loved and accepted. Your self-worth is not based on your net-worth. Remember, “there is no condemnation for those who belong to Christ Jesus.” (Romans 8:1, NLT)

• Adjust your budget. The things we think are necessities today were considered luxuries not long ago. Re-examine your life from a zero-based budget and see what you really need and what you just want. Maybe it’s possible to tighten your belt and get by for a time on less than you think. If your outflow exceeds your income then your upkeep will be your downfall. You might even be able to sell some things that you’ve collected to boost your budget.

• Don’t go through it alone. It’s tempting to isolate yourself when you’re going through a tough time. But that’s not the way to move forward. It’s vital that you get around some people who can encourage you and speak truth into your life. If you need some friends to walk with you, be sure to Check out a Connection Group.

• Be faithful to give to the Lord. That might sound insane, but it’s actually they way we increase and show our trust in God. With the economy in the shape that it’s in, it’s clear that the savings plans we have here are not as secure as they need to be. But God’s retirement plan is out of the world. So Jesus advises: “Store your treasures in heaven, where they will never become moth-eaten or rusty and where they will be safe from thieves.” (Matthew 6:20, NLT)

• Know that you are not done yet. God is not through with you. He still has a good plan for your life. It’s a plan to prosper you and not to harm you, to give you a hope and a future! (Jeremiah 29:11) Keep getting up, going out there and giving it (and God) all you’ve got. He will use what you offer to position you for something even better to come.

There is nothing that can stop God’s plan for your life and when you commit yourself to Him, your hardest challenges can be your biggest victories!

For more financial helps, check out this article.

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He was a model leader who said, When you are right you cannot be too radical. I refuse to accept the view that mankind is so tragically bound to the starless midnight of racism and war that the bright daybreak of peace and brotherhood can never become a reality… I believe that unarmed truth and unconditional love will have the final word.

I’m so glad to be a part of a church where we practice equality. The color of our skin is just that, external colors that add variety to our lives. Sure, there are cultural differences that we bring to the table. We celebrate those differences and focus on what we have in common: our mission to see lives changed. That’s the only way to bring the kingdom of God to our world, when we understand that we’re all one family with one Heavenly Father who made each of us colored people.

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