I'm not just tired today but my body hurts. My body really feels the toll of preaching. I'm not sure people realize how hard it is on the body to preach. It's literally physically, emotionally and spiritually draining.
We started Deal or No Deal today. It seemed to start REALLY well. People seemed to be engaging with what was being said, even though it was VERY difficult to hear. It was difficult for me to heart and I was preaching it! Was VERY transparent, open and honest today about some of the major financial mistakes we have made and are still paying for. I am SO excited for this series AND the next one. We actually had a guest family from another church today that are just coming to these two series because it struck such a cord with them. Pretty cool. Here are some of the stats and thoughts on today.
--- 227 in attendance today. We had 12 connection cards filled out and 5 of them were first time guests.
--- Offering to be counted tomorrow but a preliminary quick look was around $3000.
--- We showed this video below to start our look at finances. Thought we needed something funny to break the ice before we began since it was such a hard topic to look at.
--- LOTS of people raised their hand at the end of the service to admit they are lost financially, or headed that way, and want to get out. I'm convinced that many people want to be free they just don't know how. I said today in my message that we typically view financial freedom as having more money. We think if we just had more we'd be ok. Typically though, we get more and then spend up to that level. Being financially free, BIBLICALLY, means that no matter HOW MUCH money we have we are free from the control of it. Someone can be UTTERLY lost financially and be a billionaire. How much we have OR owe has nothing to do with whether we are in bondage or not.
--- The band lit it up today. Adam is working on some great worship sets. This weeks was off the chain. (Really good for you older folks) Doing two services is weird cause you always compare the two. Worship in the first service was incredible. Just the energy and Spirit in the room was very heavy. It's funny how one service can feel differently from another, when they are identical services.
--- We added some MAJOR set up to e:kidz today and it looked great. We are beginning to take that to the next level. I'll post some pics later this week. The e:kidz folks are knockin' it out of the park over there.
--- We did a new set design this week and it looked really good. Nothing major just all done in tension fabric. I really like changing things up each series so the stage looks different. It just keeps things fresh.
--- We're doing two things this Sunday you won't want to miss. If you are an Elementer, invite someone new to come with you and don't miss out yourself. It's going to be fun! Can't wait!
--- That's it for now, I may add a few things later. Have a GREAT week!
Following Christ,
Jeff
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Since the first time I heard you were giving this series of sermons I have been a little nervous...Nervous that you as so many other preachers you would make this about one of two things: that we aren't giving enough to the church or lack of approval of having money. I so enjoyed the sermon...I found out that I am OK. Listening to your six signs of being financially lost made me realize that we have made it, we are out of the hole that we dug for ourselves when we were first married. Can't wait till next week! I can't wait till the sermon is on the web so Brianna-Lea can hear it...my youngest two get how dangerous money can be and Faithe-Maree loved listening to you (anything to do with credit cards she wrote credit cards are BAD; we don't believe in the use of them. If we don't have the money it doesn't get bought), but Brianna-Lea thinks it grows on trees and that she can't spend it whenever she wants. We opened savings accounts for each of the girls, so they could save for college or marriage, and she thinks that the interest that grows is hers to spend...oye! Thanks for being such great leadership.
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