Making the Connection

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, 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!

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!

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!

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.