Our "Curious" Evening

In about 35 minutes our Family Flick Night will kick off. I just popped up here to my office to put into words what I was feeling...

There are about 30 people down there setting things up. A parking team, a concessions team, the technical crew setting up the sound and video... Everyone laughing and talking and having a great time getting ready to welcome all these little kids for our showing of the "Curious George" movie tonight.

I know every single one of those people down there. I know many of their stories, their heartbreaks, their seasons of loneliness and pain. I've walked through life with many of them for years. But for this one moment, with the orange-hued glow of a setting sun, with the echoes of laughter and smiles of delight,

all of that is forgotten.

And we're just a family getting ready for our guests. We're experiencing the power of God's Kingdom. A Kingdom that brings broken, hurting people together and allows us to experience life and joy in being together and serving people.

We have a saying around here: We use the job to get people done, not people to get the job done. I tell you, the 30 people down there definitely will remember and enjoy this night for many years to come. By giving away their time and energy to set this whole evening up for us, they are getting something far better...

Life as it's meant to be.

Sentinel Article

In case you didn't see it, we got a great write up in the Sentinel the other day...

Seems to me, the good news should be in the news! Not that we're trying to draw attention to ourselves, but when we're living all-out for Jesus, it should sorta catch people's attention. As we read through the book of Acts, we find that believers were regularly finding themselves as the focus of the public eye.

The point of VBS is not to get our church into the paper, but to get our kids into Jesus (and us into serving the kids). But as we boldly proclaim the truth, and do it in a humble way that serves people, it makes an impact that can't be ignored.

As we humble ourselves to serve and bless the kids, God exalts us... not only spiritually, but also in the eyes of our community.

• Whoever exalts himself shall be humbled; and whoever humbles himself shall be exalted. Matthew 23:12
  
• And Jesus kept increasing in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and men. Luke 2:52
  

Reflections from the Weekend

This past weekend will have to go down as one of my favorite in a long time. It was incredible to feel the overflow of life and the joy from our VBS week. On Saturday night, Hilary and I left the sanctuary at about 9:45pm -- and it was still full of people chatting and sharing stories! How cool is that?! Yes, we were all tired. But we were full.

When you give your all, God fills you back up. If you hold back because you don't think you have enough (smarts, time, energy... whatever), you come up empty.

In services we heard stories from about 25 different volunteers about how God had filled them up during VBS. Hilary was an awesome MC... She was really on this weekend. As usual, she led with such a wonderful combination of humor and insight.

Within the next few days we will have the audio from all the testimonies posted. Come back to check 'em out.

For now, check out this testimony from Don Miller that was printed in the Sentinel on Saturday. Don was helping to lead our traffic team this year... Go God, go team!

The Purpose of Your Life

Yesterday 78 kids gave their hearts to Jesus for the first time! Praise God!

I had a conversation with a fifth grade boy about the experience. He explained to me that it was a really big decision because he knew that coming to Jesus meant really giving his life away “because after all—Jesus is God, ya know?!” Apparently he understood that asking Jesus to be his savior also meant that Jesus would want to be his Lord—teaching him how to live and how to think.

After having established that it was a big decision, I asked him if it was a tough one or whether it was scary. “No way,” he said, “’Cause Jesus is the best. What else would I do? It’s not scary at all because I know that Jesus is the best.” He went on to explain that he has talked to his mom about starting to come to church because he wants to keep learning and growing more.

This little boy’s enthusiasm was so genuine.

You know, as great as VBS is, it’s not enough on its own to produce life-changing decisions like this little boy clearly has made. No amount of crafts, games, or candy could produce a changed life. Only God can do that.

But the really cool thing is that God uses people like you and me in His game-plan.

Ever wonder why you’re here? Why were you born and what’s the purpose of your life? I tell you, God made you for a reason! You’re designed to be part of His plan for touching people’s lives.

You see, each person who volunteered to help make VBS happen this week had a hand (directly or indirectly) in reaching this one little boy. God used each of them in small and big ways

This weekend in services you will hear several of these volunteers tell their stories. They have been used by God… and that’s why they are here. That’s the purpose of their life. And instead of feeling used, they feel fulfilled.

But don’t take my word for it. Come hear their stories for yourself. The stories aren’t scripted. They’re heartfelt and honest from real people just like you.

When it’s all said and done, take that next step and ask God what this all means for your life. You won’t be disappointed. I promise.

VBS Press Release

I just finished working with a small team of people who helped to craft our press release for VBS. VBS is a great event... not just for our church, but for our entire community. So inevitably, it gets some press. We submit a press release each year to help remind the media that the event is happening and also to help them get collect some of the basic facts about the event.

Our church has been in the media several times in the last few weeks because we are the tenants of the Poor Clares property in Aptos that is being put up for sale by its owners (Dominican Hospital). Because that's been on everyone's mind, I included a few comments about the sale.

I'm so excited to see how God will provide for our church family in the coming months and years. I don't know what that will look like, but I wanted to take the opportunity to let the community know that we intend to stay focused on our mission of serving and blessing people. Because we know that God has the perfect home in mind for us (whether it is here or somewhere else), we don't need to get distracted from what He has called us to do.

Below is the full press release...

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The Coastlands Launches its Twenty-Second Annual Vacation Bible School

Aptos, California – Monday, June 18, 2007 – More than 325 volunteers and 330 1st through 5th grade children from our community have come together for The Coastlands’ wild, fun, week-long Vacation Bible School. The Coastlands hosts this volunteer-driven, non-profit outreach event at its church campus, formerly known as the Poor Clares property in Seacliff.

This year’s theme is “Shout it Out!” – a theme that loudly and enthusiastically conveys that God is real, good, and that He has a plan and unique purpose for each and every person. Children entering grades 1st through 5th participate in numerous fun events and activities throughout each day. Some of the highlights of the week are a massive obstacle climbing wall, a ten-foot ice cream sundae and a visit from the Aptos/La Selva Fire Department who traditionally come and spray the children with fire hoses.

“In our area, families have a lot of summer camp options to choose from. What makes ours unique – in addition to all the fun – is that there’s an equal emphasis on helping the kids build a spiritual foundation. With our exciting special events, caring team-leaders and continual fun, it is a positive life-changing experience for all involved,” said Anne Piros, director of the Vacation Bible School.

In recent weeks, the media has made reference to The Coastlands church as the tenants of the Poor Clares property on State Park Drive that has recently been put on the market by the Catholic Healthcare West, the owners of Dominican Hospital. “While we are sympathetic to Dominican’s needs, if a new development required us to move, perhaps our greatest sadness would be the possible loss of our Vacation Bible School,” said Todd Millikan, Senior Pastor of The Coastlands. “This outreach event has grown to what it is thanks to the efforts of thousands of committed volunteers throughout the years, as well as our use of this beautiful property. We use every bit of the campus to host this event. Our sincere hope that we can continue to host this fun and life-changing event whether it is here or at another location for many years to come.”

The VBS week concludes with a barbecue dinner with approximately 1,000 kids and their family members in attendance. The public is invited to attend. After the barbecue a Grand Assembly comprised of songs and skits is held in the church’s outdoor amphitheater. The charge for dinner is for adults and for children.

For more information regarding Vacation Bible School, please call 831.688.5775.