Love Much

I have been stuck on the simple answer Jesus gave when asked to sum up the law. He simply replied "love god with everything you have and love others" (my translation).

The more I consider His simple response I am struck by the fact that it is just that simple. When I love God in the truest sense of the idea to love then the rest of my life is directed by that love. The order that comes from being obsessed with God is the key to living a full and abundant life.

Seeing how all of life falls into place when I love God first and most makes me wonder why don't we let go and love Him. What a cruel trick the enemy of our soul has played on us by convincing us that loving God a little would be sufficient. God, seeing our deceived nature, makes Himself available to help us love Him much if we are willing to allow Him full access.

Immeasurably More

Over the past few months I have been praying and asking God for “immeasurably more” for my relationship with Him and for our 724 Church family. When I began praying this prayer I had no idea how God would respond. To be quite honest there are more stories than I could possibly write in this blog. The last month has been remarkable. My wife, Carla, posted on facebook yesterday a great sentiment that reflects my feelings too. She said, “Church planting is finally fun.” This has been a great month. I will over the next few posts try to tell a few of those stories including the miraculous story of a huge announcement coming this weekend at our “Burgers in the Park” experience. For today let me just reflect on a few things that happened last weekend at Easter in the Park.


The day was gorgeous and quite honestly the setting was perfect. We rented a pavilion at a city park to hold our service. We had over 60 people attend our service. While this was our highest attendance ever, the exciting part is really not the number. We have been trying to think of someone who makes up our 724 Church community who did not invite someone to join them as a guest and we have come up blank. To our knowledge everyone (including those who were out of town) made the effort to invite someone to be a part of our day. This is a demonstration of loving what God loves. I am so proud of our community!


We also had over half of our community engaged in serving in some capacity. It was unbelievably exciting to see how many people were so deeply invested in advancing the kingdom. The day began early and required a lot of effort but not one person would say the regretted the investment. Loving God in this way is so powerful in our own lives.


We had 12 first time guests. Most of those guests were not Christ-followers and we were able to present a relationship with Christ in both spoken word and acts of kindness and service. The meaningful conversations I had with several of these guests revealed that we were effective in demonstrating Christ in a way that has caused them to take steps toward Him.


In addition to these 12 guests we were located right next to the park’s playground area. there were 20 or more people who had come to enjoy the beauty of the day while allowing their children to play on the playground. Most, if not all of them, stopped and listened as we shared that the point of Easter is the resurrection and that the resurrection changes everything.


I am so thankful for what God allowed us to experience on Easter. I am confident that it is only the beginning of immeasurably more from God.


Here are a few pictures from Easter in the Park.

A Fresh New Week

Monday is usually my day to walk slowly and regroup after a hectic weekend.  Today however, is a bit different.  This past weekend was packed with demands and opportunities.  It has served to set this week up to be awesome in so many ways.

This week is "passion week".  It is the time that we remember the week of Jesus' death and resurrection.  These events change everything for us.  God demonstrated His love for us during the events of this week.  Even though we would choose paths of sin, destruction, and rebellion He willingly died for us.  His resurrection, proven by His empty tomb, is proof that His sacrifice for us was received and fully paid our debt.  I hope that we will all take the time to remember God's great love for us this week.  Here are a few passages from the Bible that you may want to read this week to help you remember Jesus work for you:

1. John 17-20
2. Luke 19-24
3. Mark 14-16
4. Matthew 26-28

I am praying with even more energy today about Easter in the Park.  After hearing the stories of the invites that are happening by our 724 community I am even more charged up about this weekend.  God is moving in very powerful ways as we continue to seek to introduce everyday people to living spiritually passionate lives.

There are several things I hope you will make sure happen as we approach the weekend.  

• I hope that you will invite everyone you are around this week.  I am asking God to give all of us unusual courage and boldness.
• I hope that you will be ready to receive and celebrate all the guests who join us for our experience.  Make sure if you are a part of the morning that you spread yourself out so that someone from our community is seated at every table.  Make sure that you invite newcomers to join you at your table.
• I hope that you will allow time to hang around afterwards and connect with everyone who participates with us.
• I hope you will encourage those who are with us to come back May 1st for our cookout in the same location.
• Please bring a lawn chair with you in case we have an overflow crowd and need extra seats.
• Please remember that we are beginning at 10 am and have only one experience.
• Finally (and most importantly) pray, pray, pray!  Ask God to make this a powerful and effective day.  I am spending time everyday this week praying specifically for this experience.  Will you join me?

You can go to our website to get the directions to Baileywick Park.  Click here or go to www.724team.com