I know it’s been a light blogging week this week, but it’s been very busy around here. Mainly two things have required my time and energy – getting ready for Camp next week and getting ready for our new series, “Reel to Real.” Although I’ve been to Camp countless times over the years, I just found out several weeks ago that I was going to be the Dean. Thankfully, I’ve had many people all over the state help in so many ways. A special thanks goes to Adele, Michelle, Marnie, David, and Mike. It is really shaping up to be a great week!

One of the areas that I have been praying about is our Mission for the week. Every year the kids give an offering that goes to some worthy cause. We typically take up about $1,000. Well, this year someone suggested that the offering go to help the families of the Charleston 9 (the firemen who lost their lives). Since our church is here in West Ashley and I’m the Dean and this is a tragedy that has touched the whole State and beyond, there could not be a better choice for our offering next week. I know the kids will be excited about helping in this way. I’m even going to see if I can arrange a Charleston Firefighter to come and talk.

I’m also very excited about our new series, “Reel to Real.” The thought behind the series is to simply use current movies as a “hook” to talk about some real life issues. For example, this Sunday the movie we will use is “Spider-Man 3.” If you’ve seen the movie you know that much of the movie centers around the internal struggle of Peter Parker (Spidey). In fact, one byline for the movie is, “The Battle Within.” His battle is with bitterness and unforgiveness. If that’s not a real life issue that we all face today, I don’t know what is. So, on Sunday morning we’ll take an uncut, uncensored look at bitterness and unforgiveness, what it does in our lives, and how the Bible says we are to deal with it.

Next Sunday, the movie is “Pirates 3.” One of the overall themes of the entire Pirates series is the search for the eternal. Everyone is searching for the eternal, but most people want it (God, freedom, spirituality) on their own terms. Jesus said, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” So don’t let movie titles or decorations trick you – this is going to be one of our hardest hitting series. (I do think you’ll like the decorations in our auditorium.)

I guess because of the movie titles serving as the message titles and because we put those on our invitation cards and water bottles, several people have actually asked if we are showing the movies on Sunday morning. No, I don’t have that kind of pull in Hollywood or that kind of money. But if that’s what gets someone here on Sunday morning, I’ll take the hit for the bait and switch (although I don’t think they’ll be disappointed). Saturday is shaping up to be a lot of fun as well. At 7PM we’ll have several blow ups for the kids, free food, and live music. A little after 8:30, as it starts to get dark, we’ll show the movie, “the Incredibles” on a large outdoor screen. Make sure to bring blankets, chairs, and bug spray. Well, that’s about it for now, see you over the weekend!

We have such a loving church family. I can’t tell you already today how many phone calls and emails I’ve received on behalf of the Bowick family. Let me quickly say that Les was not involved in that tragic fire that claimed the lives of 9 firemen last night. That’s right – 9. I’m having a hard time today wrapping my mind around that. The fire took place about a mile or so down the road from our church on Savannah Hwy. Les Bowick is a firefighter with the City of Mount Pleasant. He’s been recognized several times for his outstanding service. From what I understand he was called in to assist the City of Charleston stations while they assisted the West Ashley PSD stations.

Truthfully, I didn’t catch much of the news last night and didn’t realize until this morning the magnitude of what had happened. I called Melanie first thing this morning and she quickly assured me that Les was fine. She even said that their son Hayden said, “Mom, you better call Pastor Chris and let him know that Daddy is okay.” So while we are relieved for the Bowick family, our hearts and prayers go out to the family and friends of those still in shock today, searching for answers, strength, comfort, and hope. Next week at Camp Edisto the theme for Intermediate Week is, “The Making of a Super Hero.” I was reminded today – they’re right here in our community.

Being at camp this past week with over a 100 high school students reminded me of an article that a friend passed on to me a while back. It is posted on John Piper’s website. John Piper is a gifted pastor and teacher. Evidently, his son Abraham was a wayward child for a time and wrote an article entitled, “12 Ways to Love Your Wayward Child.” I hope it’s helpful, if so, pass it on.

Wow, what a week – what a day! I had every intention of posting on Friday or Saturday. Got back from Senior Week of Camp mid day on Friday, went to the church and never stopped running until tonight. Camp by the way was great! Had just over 100 high school students and really had a great week. I was the Family Leader of probably one of the best group of kids I have been with at Camp in a long time. I think we only won like one sporting event all week, but we just had a lot of fun together! Our kids memorized a combined total of 203 memory verses! Also, had a great co-leader in Brittany Murphy(no, not the actress). She just finished her freshman year at the College of Charleston and she along with several other college students there definitely raised my level of hope for this next generation. It was also great being at camp with my daughter Lydia. We’ve been going to camp together for quite a number of years and she never ceases to amaze me. She is becoming quite a special young woman. Jeremiah was there as well and is back at camp again this week for Junior High Week. He did a great job and made me very proud to say that he was from Coastal!

I’m literally getting ready to pack up the truck and head off to Camp Edisto in about 15 minutes. I know a lot you have jobs where you travel, so you have no sympathy, but let me say it – I’m going to miss my wife and my son (Lydia will be there with me)! Jeremiah and I will be there until Friday of this week with about 100 teenagers. Keep us in your prayers. If I don’t get internet access, I won’t post again until Friday. But real quick I wanted to talk about today. WOW! Attendance was up, lots of visitors. The band did a great job! We closed out the “Old School” series in fine style. Like I said today, I really have enjoyed this series, but I’d be lying if I didn’t tell you that my thoughts have been in this next series, “Reel to Real.” This is going to be a great chance to invite friends and reach out the community! Get lots of people to the “Movie on the Lawn.” One obvious stand out today was the new Jeremiah (see previous post)! This coming Sunday is Father’s Day. My message is going to be about our vision and our future. We’re going to rock the house! Well, I’ve got to go. Pray for changed lives! See you next weekend! (temperatures in the 80′s for at least a day or two would be nice)

Similar sounding names. Similar hairstyle. Uncanny coincidence or long lost brothers? You make the call!

I know I’m an Apple Addict, but have you seen Apple’s new iPhone? iWant one! The coolness factor, as always with Apple, is off the chart! The price is out of my league, but I do turn 40 next month (hint, hint). Can you say, “mid-life crisis”?

Ecclesiastes 3 begins with, “There is a time for everything, a season for every activity under heaven. A time to be born and a time to die.” This week has felt like an entire season for me. It began with our family taking a meal to the Perkins family on Monday. They had a baby last week. On the way home we stopped to see another family who has been coming to our church since Easter. It was a short visit, but we really connected and without going in to a lot of detail, we left saying our visit was a “God thing.” When we got home I got a call that Christy Moore’s sister was in the hospital. On the way out the door I got another call that she had passed away. I sat with Jr. & Christy at the St. Francis Emergency Room. On Sunday we go to Camp Edisto for Senior High Week of Camp. I’m speaking and teaching. Two weeks later I go to Intermediate Week of Camp. I just recently found out that I’m now the Dean of that week. I went to the hospital with a good friend who is struggling with depression. I had a wedding on Wednesday. Today we had the Memorial Service for Christy’s sister. I also got a call today that Carrie Nesbitt at our church had a baby girl. Mom is doing good but baby Allyson needs prayer for an underdeveloped lung and labored breathing. All week long we’ve had the city of Hollywood digging up sewage pipes along the edge of our property running parallel with the Greenway (it’s a long, smelly story). One day they cut our phone lines. And then just the regular stuff of sermon, planning a new series, small group, office stuff, etc. (oh yeah – the copier went down and my truck was in the shop). It’s been quite a week.

But before you think I’m complaining or asking for sympathy, let me assure you I’m not. I love what I do. And truthfully, although I’m a little tired tonight I’ve seen God at work all week long. Two babies born in the last couple of weeks! Wow! Every time I see a newborn baby, I’m reminded just how how fragile and precious life really is. They’re sooo tiny. I’m also blown away all over again that “God became flesh and dwelt (tabernacled) among us.” Even in the tragic death of Christy’s sister I’ve seen God’s faithfulness. The Moore’s have been through so much this year and as Jr. and I stood in the parking lot of the E.R. I heard him say that it was all about Jesus and that Jesus would see them through. He ministered to me. I’m also so proud of how our church responds and loves people. We had a great opportunity today to reach out and love a lot of people and we knocked it out of the park! My friend who is struggling had a breakthrough and I saw signs of my old friend. Tomorrow we have a Baptism Service at Folly Beach County Park. It’s just one of the best things I get to do. Several of the students that I’ll be baptizing tomorrow – I was there when they were born. Now I’m there celebrating their new birth! Is that awesome or what? And the guys who have been digging up pipes all week decided to clear away some underbrush on our property as a way of making up for all the inconvenience. In our Creative Team meeting this week we had some great ideas for our upcoming series, “Reel to Real.” We are all jacked. It’s so amazing how the Holy Spirit works through the planning process. It’s great to have Jeremiah on staff. He’s been here for a year now and I’ve seen a lot of growth in him. He is a huge asset to our church. We need an administrative assistant at the church – yesterday! On Father’s Day, strap it on tight, because I’ll be talking about our vision and our future.

You see, most of life is really about our attitude and the choices we make. I’m choosing to ask God to help me see life and people through His eyes. And when I do that, it’s amazing what I see. What am I seeing? God is at work, lives are being changed, Jesus is being lifted up, and God is drawing people to Himself! See you over the weekend! (Keep praying for the copier and the truck.)

Well, I know it’s been a while since my last installment of “Freak of the Week,” but the Gill family just stood out to me over the weekend. Why over the weekend you ask? The whole family – Andy, Miranda, and little Andy (the unofficial WAVES Mascot) – came and stayed for the WAVES Lock-in. I believe that at some point they laid Little Andy down in the Nursery or Jeremiah’s office. For some people, that right there – staying up all night with 24 teenagers – qualifies them for “Freak of the Month” or “Freak of the Year” status, or just plain crazy.

And that’s what they are – crazy about Jesus! They love the Lord, they love the church, they love the students, they love people, and it shows! They both serve on Jeremiah’s Student Ministry Team and do whatever is needed – set up, break down, small groups, worship, teaching, chaperone, and more. Miranda is on the Praise and Worship Team, serves in Promiseland, and they are both highly committed to our Small Group Ministry. But for me, the thing that stands out about them is their contagious faith. They are interceding, investing, inviting, and including FREAKS! And it’s not simply because Andy is an Air Force Recruiter and it comes natural to them. They just get it. They pray for people, build relationships, invite and bring tons of people to church, and then they reach out to anyone and everyone here and invite them to their small group and into their lives.

Being a military family they are used to putting down roots and then eventually pulling them up (don’t worry – they’re still here for a while). And being a church in a military town we are used to people coming and going. It’s never easy – but when you have people like the Gill’s who truly understand the “bloom where you’re planted” principle, the garden we share is so much more beautiful!

Did we make the right call about Saturday’s Baptism at the Beach or what? Man, it was nasty Saturday. Normally after all that rain you’d expect to see puddles all over our campus, but it’s been so dry it just got soaked up like a sponge. Which apparently is kind of what happened Sunday morning with my message. I don’t think I’ve ever preached an entire message about the Tabernacle. But people really seemed to soak it up. Now my Indiana Jones impression is another matter. At least it made a “lasting impression.” Ultimately, the Tabernacle and the whole Old Testament is about Jesus! And that’s what Coastal is all about – Jesus. This coming Sunday we wrap up our Old School series.

One thing that stood out to me about today’s service was the decision to change the order of service. To be honest, I think we were in a bit of a rut. We just seem to do things the same way every week with a few “tweaks” here and there. Nothing necessarily wrong with that, but this week in our Creative Team meeting we made the decision to mix things up a little bit. Not change for change sake, but it seemed to flow with what we were doing today. I think it was the right call. We had a lot of visitors today – some people in town for a wedding I’m doing this week, some folks came from our website, but mainly from friends! Keep it up Coastal. Intercede. Invest. Invite. Include.

After church I came home, got something to eat, rested for a bit and then turned around for our 101 Membership Class. We also had our 301 Ministry Class at the same time. Cindy Tighe & Marci Claude did a great job. It’s a lot of fun doing multiple Life Development Classes at the same time. If you ever come out on Sunday nights, the first thing you’ll notice is that Jeremiah and his team put a lot of effort into Undercurrent on Sunday nights for WAVES. You can feel the energy just walking through the Fellowship Hall. I think they had like 24 students at the Lock-in on Friday night. They had a lot of fun. I think they even left the building cleaner than when they found it. Speaking of waves – our Baptism @ the Beach will be this Saturday, June 9th, 3PM at Folly Beach County Park. If you’re interested in getting baptized, please contact me this week.

Jeremiah and I and a group of students from our church leave in one week for Senior Week of camp at Camp Edisto. I can’t believe that camp is already here. In some ways, I’m not ready yet. But I just get excited about seeing the lives of students changed. It was at this same camp that I gave my life to Christ 27 years ago. The first time I ever met my wife Janet was at Camp Edisto. It has a special place in my heart. I don’t think I’ll have internet access so I probably won’t be blogging – not sure the internet has made it to Branchville, SC. We’ll see what I can arrange.

I hope you’re getting jacked about our new series, “Reel to Real.” I know I am. Our “Movie on the Lawn” evening is going to be awesome! Well, it’s late, my mind is racing, and I need to get an early start this week on camp and our new series. Coastal, I’m in love with Jesus and after every 101 Membership Class I am reminded just how much I love the church and I love you!