What an incredible Easter!  578 total people made last weekend our largest ever as we launched into “live differently” and it is only the beginning! During this week over 250 people experienced “live Differently” in a small group!  We are already receiving great feedback about the series and if you are not in a group, NOW IS THE TIME! Let’s make the most of these next 50 days. We have 23 groups scattered throughout the area! E-mail dan@217church.com and don’t miss another week.  So what is next for our community?

Let’s tackle our financial health.  Why?  I think it is rather obvious.  Our national debt is $15,621,872,295,348.53 as of a couple hours ago and growing by almost $4 billion per day.   Let’s face the music: This is simply irresponsible!  It is easy to criticize the government but this is not about the government and this isn’t meant to be a political post. This is about us personally.  Our culture is saturated with marketing and reasons why we should buy products we don’t need.  We continually want more than we can afford, experience buyer’s remorse on a regular basis and have problems with over spending and “under giving.”  The average person gives less than 2.5% of their income away and has over $8,000 in credit card debt.  Not at all God’s best for us.

What would it look like if all of us as a church 5 years from now were debt free.  As a church we have zero debt and have never paid a dime to anyone in interest.  The reason we have no debt is it’s so critical to our spiritual health as a body.  Wouldn’t it be incredible to be known as the church full of people who give generously and spend wisely?  I mean you, the people.  Why not? I believe it is possible and probable, but it’s going to take a long term focus and more than anything else, DEEP HEART TRANSFORMATION!

This Sunday we dive into how we work and give.  I love it when I hear of examples of great generosity.  I love it when I hear of people giving to others in need WITHOUT someone telling them to do it, but because it is the right thing to do.  Recently I heard a story of someone bringing groceries to another family who had a house fire.  Pay attention and you will find opportunities abounding around you to give.  You already have the DNA built in you as a Christ follower to enact an irrational generosity plan.  This means that each of us already want to give so let’s stop making excuses and do it.  This week in your small groups you get to write your financial health life transformation.  I will be sharing mine on Sunday with you!  I can’t wait to hear yours!

Let’s make this an incredible season of transformation against the odds!

GIVE BIG!  Can’t wait to see you again.