Under Construction Part 2b

...learning to live in and with the mess...
"But one thing i do: forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus." Philippians 3:14

So, what now? Well, we can complain about the mess and the perpetual feeling of incompleteness and be frustrated by the fact that life is always getting in the way. Or, we can change our tune, our attitude, our line of sight. Certainly the blueprint has been written, there is a vision to be grasped, and even something (more) glorious waiting in the end. The master builder is hard at work.

But thank God that He (thee Master Builder) doesn't use professional contractors to do the job, but He uses one Master Craftsman and a bunch of out of work, want-a-be apprentices, who have to pull as many nails as they put in – a Builder who patiently and kindly is willing to adjust the (our) plans even a little, to get us to the end. God loves our plans, our vision and our goals, and is eager to know them, but I think He takes even more pleasure in helping us adjust those plans to bring us to a place that is beyond our vision and scope. A place He has already prepared. We can rejoice that He would use us in the process, that He takes joy in the partnership and that He sees the final outcome even (or especially) as life gets in the way...

so God says...

"Commit to (Me) the LORD whatever you do, and your plans will succeed." Proverbs 16:3 and...

"In His heart a man plans his course, bu (I) the LORD determines his steps." Prov. 16:9 and...

"Many are the plans in a man's heart, but it is (My) the LORD's purpose that prevails."
Proverbs 19:21

...enjoying the ride...

"All of us who are mature should take such a view of things. And if at some point you think differently, that too God will make clear to you. Only let us live up to what we have already obtained." Phil. 3:15

If we can understand, accept and learn to love the process – that we are not done, and we won't be anytime soon, maybe our frustration would subside – maybe we could be a little more patient. Maybe what we expect from others (usually a standard that we ourselves could never measure up to) will soften enough for us to love them where they are, instead of impatiently waiting for them to be where we think they should be.

To know, to be sure, that there is something amazing waiting at the end...

So, let's do this together. Let's be less concerned about what we're not, and more concerned about living (or loving) out what we've already become. Still, striving to be more, but not taking for granted – or underestimating what are.

The great thing is that we know, eventually the job will be done.

Perspective.

But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ, who, by the power that enables him to bring everything under his control, will transform our lowly bodies so that they will be like his glorious body. Phil 3:20-21

So lift your eyes... maybe the best part will be standing back with the Master Builder, looking at the finished project, and then, having seen it, Him, we can sigh that sigh, knowing that we did this together, God in me, God in us, God through us... as life happened.

But, until then, forgive our mess while we are under construction – but don't expect it to be done any time soon. I refuse to lose sight of the joy of the mess, the process of life as it happens.

So to each of us I want to say, it's ok, be patient and enjoy the ride.

“Let us fix your eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith, who for the joy set before Him endured to cross, scorning its shame...” Hebrews 12:2

Both us individually and us the church... taking all we have to offer and transforming it, us, into to something amazing ~ mosaic

under construction part 2a

If you remember (or, if just look down the page a couple inches) you might recall being encouraged that we are (all) under construction, none of us complete, and that this is actually quite normal. There isn't one of us who are or will be whole until we see God face to face.

Under Construction Part 2A

...so relax, just a smidge and enjoy the process. Be patient with those around you who are less than polished... love the one who thinks they've made it...they'll figure it out someday. As for the rest of us, where do we go from here? Life and...

...living in the mess...
Most of us know that the most difficult time to build is when you live in what you are building. Life happens – we've dreamed our dreams, made our plans, assembled our lists, and checked them twice. We've made a (sort-of) budget and we think, and we're pretty sure, that we've counted the cost (Jesus and the tower, Nehemiah and the wall), and now, having done everything we need to do to start (and finish) our project, we are convinced we are ready (and even a bit eager) to begin to build. We make our first (of many) trip to Lowes, we believe – no we're sure! - that we've got everything we need... this time. We get home, we move some furniture, lay down a couple of drop clothes and we dive in – thud! phone rings... we roll up our sleeves again – umph! A knock at the door... waaahhh!...one of the kids needs help... our spouse wasn't ready for us to start... “did we decide to do it that way...?” they say. The game's on... friends call, “we're on our way over...” Grrrr! In a rush, we pick up the drop clothes, put the pile of tools and supplies in the corner, put the furniture back... and wait for the next opportunity... and, life happens.

Here's a truth that we don't very often consider, not only are we all under perpetual construction, but we live in the very thing that is being built. And frankly, life happens.

...shouldn't I be a finished by now?
I think a big part of our frustration, especially as Christ followers, is that we expect to be done, a finished product, with nice measurable results. We believe the construction should be, will be, done one day, in our lifetime. We dream our dreams, make our lists, we do everything we think we should and have been taught to do to build this life... and, what? Life happens. Remember what my old acquaintance Mike said earlier? “...a faith which is unfinished, incomplete, and inexperienced. Messy Spirituality is a celebration of a discipleship which is under construction.” Yaconelli page 26-27

We just have this expectation that we should be complete. We sit and wait for that moment to come when we can breathe that (perpetual) sigh of relief, sit back and say “whew! I'm glad that's done!” but that day never seems to come. Even when we thought it was here, you know, we've conquered this task, finished that job, survived another moment of trial – relieved, we stop, take a moment to catch our breath, sigh that sigh, lean back and... as my friend Dolly Parton would so whimsically sing “here you come again” (can you hear the tune? I know, it's old – go get a 45... or, I mean, go to youtube!) life happens! Again!

It's a daunting task – life is. Everyday we get up, and it starts right back in, little to no relief from the construction; the noise, the mess – the dusty, messiness of life's big and small construction project. Is it ever going to end?

Well, let's see. No! Nope. Sorry. Not in this life. Paul said it this way:
"...Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already been made perfect, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. Brothers, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it.” Philippians 3:12-13

see you very soon for under construction part 2b

Messiness – authenticity – the construction is never finished

I am, we are under construction. Part 1

Building – a constant blur of motion and change – progressing toward an end that can just barely be made out on the horizon of our vision. Sometimes right according to plan, other times, maybe most times... well, let me see those drawings!


We are not a finished project...
For those who like to start a project and see it to its end, to be able to sit back and relish the final outcome, this will come as a bit of a shock, but you need to know, that in this life, we will never be finished, never quite complete. There it's been said! Now, on the other hand, for those of us who (already) appear to never be finished, or have a tendency that – while in the midst of one project see the absolute necessity of beginning the next one – this is the rarest of good news. Why? Because...

… and will never be...
...if you are like me, a multi-tasking-project-starter, and you find yourself (from time to time) up to your armpits in started projects at varying degrees of completion (or incompletion) – there is good news: maybe for the first time in our collective lives, there is something about us (and our apparently annoying penchant for adventure and the need for something else to do...) that represents our heavenly Father and His amazing and ONGOING work: that we, as individuals, and the church collectively, are not a finished project – and won't be until we see His face... we're not done yet! That's right! Not a single one of us! Not 'til He comes back! (I know, you finishers, you're thinking “Jesus said while He was on the cross 'it is finished' see, we told you, God is a finisher” and I will certainly concede that point. But!) Paul tried to break it to us gently “Now we see but a poor reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known.”1Cor 13:12

We are all work zones; dusty, dirty, half finished noisy works in progress – all of us are under construction.

...finished...

An old acquaintance said it this way: “Messy Spirituality is a description of the Christianity most of us live and that few of us admit. It is an attempt to break through the religious wall of secrecy and legitimize a faith which is unfinished, incomplete, and inexperienced. Messy Spirituality is a celebration of a discipleship which is under construction

Messy Spirituality is the scandalous assertion that following Christ is anything but tidy and neat, balanced and orderly. Far from it. Spirituality is complex, complicated, and perplexing – the disorderly, sloppy, chaotic look of authentic faith in the real world.” (emphasis mine) M.Yoconelli, Messy Spirituality

… in this life
we are all in a state of perpetual construction – enjoy it while it lasts! As God assembles us in this ragtag team of broken pieces, waiting and wondering as to what may come – let's remember that it is God putting us together one piece at a time, slowly and surely into something beautiful – a mosaic – under construction.

look out for part 2... coming soon to a theater near you

We've got to start somewhere...

Hi, my name is Tony, well, Anthony, but you can call me Tony... or, Anthony. I am married and have 4 kids. I like sunrises and sunsets; trees and water; mountains and valleys; guitars, guitar playing and guitar music. I like football – especially the hitting part. Movies make me cry... so do my kids... and wife. I really enjoy creating, talking and teaching. I don't like to see people hurt or embarrassed; alone or left out. I don't get mad very easily, but I have a quick temper (you know, the agitated, frustrated, lets get moving kind of temper). Sometimes I think that I am a great guy – really funny – and other times... not so much. Sometimes I think “people must love me, maaan I'm great! …aren't you lucky you know me...” then I wonder if anyone even knows who I am, and think “what a butt-head I am...”

I want to be important and then be left alone.

I wonder sometimes how people live with themselves, then remember how hard it is to live with myself, most of the time...

… you know, that may be one of the most profound lines I've ever heard in a movie, as my good friend Captain Teague so eloquently stated “It's not just about living forever Jackie, it's about living with yourself forever.”

I like Mexican, Mexico and Mexicans... but, especially Mexican. I wish I could learn Spanish, but apparently not enough to really try.

To me, to us (the pingitores), we relish laughter... and we fight sometimes. We really protect each other(s dignity) and sometimes attack it. We really enjoy each other's company and then long to be alone. We like to eat, a lot, and then complain that we are fat and that our grocery bill is high.

I hate gossip... but indulge too often. I love to pray, but do too seldom. God's word is wonderful, and then... a chore.

I love people and hate to be with them, I hate people and love to be with them. I love to invest and complain about the time, I complain about investing and love to take the time...

I love church, but wish I didn't have to go; I love to go to church, but wish... and hope... and dream... about what it could be, should be...

I know Jesus loves me, but sometimes, I can only wonder how... or why... and I know I love Jesus and appreciate Him and all He's done, but sometimes, I forget or neglect.

Why share with you these things? Because I want to break the ice. I want you to see, at least a little, into my life and contradictions... I want to invite you to poke your head out of your shell, a little at a time, and as my daughter would say “meet me in the middle” ...to be free, even a little.

To learn to laugh, some, even at our (own) tragedy – the contradictions that we each are – if we are just willing to admit and be honest...

Jesus said, “I have come to set the captives free...”. “Free from what?” We might ask. Maybe the first thing is our shell, our fear, the start... of something new.

Until we learn to admit that we are broken, we will remain that way.

...broken pieces, brought together by God's gracious and skillful hands, to make something beautiful ~ mosaic

ramblings on thankfulness...

...one of the first things we each need to consider, especially as followers of Jesus, is our attitude in regard to thanks giving. What is the level of gratitude we are experiencing internally? Would someone who meets us be moved to consider their own gratitude, because something about us caused them to examine their own lives and ponder all that they have.


Notice that the term “thanks giving” (above) is not capitalized, that's because I wasn't talking about the holiday... but, I will now. Sometimes I wonder if one of the most difficult tasks I have on any given day is maintaining an attitude of thanks, and maybe even more frustrating, that I would struggle (OR NOT) to just be thankful.


(And I don't know if frustrating is the right word, because you would have to be intentionally trying to do something to evoke frustration... though in this context, because I am thinking about thanks and my inability to be thankful, and am reflecting on the importance of thanks, and what it must look like to the outside world – that despite all that I have been given – I am not grateful, and considering my responsibility and privilege as a child of God to grasp and appreciate the awesome gift of life that I have been given AND the One who gives it... and how I display or don't display that in appreciation and praise – whether anyone is looking or not – let alone what it says to a lost and dying world who has no hope and needs the very gift that I have that I (at least) seem to be so ungrateful for... that if I who have it, do not see it or the One who gives it, as worthy of my gratitude – why should they (even) want it, let alone sense a need for it, or Him... yes frustrating is the word I will use to (so grossly) understate the condition of my being ungrateful.)


Are there many things more sad than watching someone be given a gift or a privilege and having them respond in disdain or apathy? We have all watched as someone has completely dismissed an act or gift of kindness and standing back, we shake our heads, pondering the ingratitude demonstrated on such occasions, cringing at the rude display, we wonder “how can anyone be that ungrateful?!” while feeling empathy for the one who was so thoughtlessly disregarded. Even wanting to approach the offended and express thanks on the rude one's behalf, and then are tempted to turn and accost the offender and ask them “what in the world could you have been thinking?! Oh, yeah, you weren't!” And I guess that, that right there, is the rub, the reason the word frustrating is too kind (almost cowardly) a word to use for any thanklessness that I might be guilty of – because the matter is that I just don't (nearly) often enough, even think about being thankful.


Maybe, I am the only one who struggles so much with this... and writing this is just an exercise in confession, an attempt for accountability, that someone would hold my feet to the fire and remind me to reflect and appreciate... or an invitation to someone, anyone, to punch me in the head when I so carelessly disregard the kindnesses offered me daily... wounding the giver who so graciously gave... and with this glimpse into my world... maybe this becomes a gentle reminder for you who practice giving thanks, to remain thankful, consistently aware of the gift and the giver... to not only remember and not lose sight of all that you have and all that you are (most times that's the easiest and most natural part) but also to remember and offer thanks for the one who has been so kind, the giver, the one who takes joy in giving and relishes in how it is received by the one they love – the object of this kind affection... and to remain thankful – expressing it at every turn...


...and this brings us to God, the giver of life and love and mercy and grace and then to us, the thankful, displaying His faithfulness and the joy that lies within and offering back to Him in gratitude, thanksgiving – not just for the gifts, but for the giver. That this, your's – the thankful, is the testimony that is right and just and fair, that has the power to evoke...

...or maybe, you suffer from the same malady as me and this is a quick reminder that you and I have perhaps forgotten, even taken for granted the kindness of our God and His incredible provisions – for life, godliness and eternity with Him. We have taken for granted not only the gifts, but also, the gift giver. That the gift is the symbol of the kind, generous and loving heart of the one who gives... maybe this is just a gentle nudge to consider, to reflect, to remember, to express... to change...


no guilt, no coercion... just consideration, respect, appreciation... simply put, thanks

maybe that's why its called Thanks-Give-ing

It’s all about the relationship(s)

God and Christianity are about relationships:
God to God; God to man; man to God; man to man...

Before creation, before time, God lived and moved – in Him was light and life (John 1) and in Him was relationship. Sometimes we get the idea that God had children because He was lonely, or needed companionship, or purpose, in fact none of that is true. God was and is and forever will be perfect and complete, not lacking anything – and that includes relationship. You see, God is relationship – the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Perfect in function and form, perfect in unity and purpose, perfect in relationship to Himself and each other – the mystery of God – His persons and his person, self contained – the trinity. Perfect in relationship, that is God.

I believe that relationship is what God is about. The whole of the Bible is the story of relationship, God’s relationship to Himself in the trinity and what God was willing to do to create, ensure, redeem, restore, and insure our relationship with Him. He has never existed outside of relationship; He created us to be in relationship (Gen 1, 2) – with Him and each other – and has gone to great lengths to preserve that relationship.

God is glorified by relationships. The most important thing in the universe is God’s glory – and He and we accomplish His glory through relationship (Rom 9, John 15-17, Eph 1, 2, 1John 4).

God’s purposes and ministry are accomplished through relationships. Because I believe these things to be true, I believe that this is God’s intent for His people – to be in relationships. To worship, connect, grow, serve and reach out with and to each other – in and through relationships; Christianity, ministry, Church is about nothing but relationships. The reality that God would invite us to join Him in relationship and then give us the privilege of inviting others to be a part is nothing less than magnificent! (Matt 28)

I beleive that that is what we are called to, that is ministry – more than that – that is Church. And, that is what we are asked, even commanded to be a part of… relationships.


"A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another."
John 13:34-35

...broken pieces brought together by God's creative and gracious hands to make something beautiful – meaningful – significant – glorious...

humor, and the art of suffering

There are few things we value as much in our home as humor. We love to laugh, and we laugh a lot in our house. Nothing gives me more joy than being with my family. We laugh with each other, at each other and mostly, at ourselves. I think it may be the most honest thing in world, laughter.

It pains me to watch someone who cannot enjoy themselves or those with whom God has placed them. Although sometimes my own intensity belies my commitment to fun, I believe that in the grand scheme of things - underneath all the hurt and depravity of lostness, and the seriousness with which we (or I) approach life – there is a tinge of humor, an underlying joy to life and a hope in eternity that peeks through and tickles the feet of those willing to laugh; I am learning to recognize and understand the fruit of suffering, (which is) the budding character of a man.

I thank God that He purposes in me a likeness to His Son by the sufferings of the day, for otherwise I am lost, lost to wonder - what will become of me. James 1; 1Peter 1; Romans 5

As my friend Del Griffith so eloquently stated: “I... I... I like me, my wife likes me...” To be the real article; a what you see, is what you get kinda guy…

Target: Who It Is That We Are Trying To Reach

Target: who it is that we are trying to reach

• wounded saints who have given up on the church
• the unchurched and unsaved

Seeking To Reach…

• a generation who is fearful, resentful and suspicious of the institution, who believes that actions speak louder than words, a generation that is looking for something, someone that will meet them where they are with authenticity, openness and honesty.
• (Typified by) 20 and 30 somethings who have either given up on church or have never graced the doors of a church.
  

This generation is not only “young” people, but anyone seeking a transparent … honest… life of service, to go into the lives and places of others and show them the love of God in Christ Jesus

1. “…love God...love others… as self…” Matt 23
2. “…go make disciples ...” Matt 28
3. “...go into the towns...the Kingdom of God near...” Luke 10
4. “...they gave to everyone who had need...” Acts 2
5. “...come and see...” John 1

Indeed, 40 percent of the "unchurched" do not entirely stay away from worship services, according to a survey by Ellison Research, a marketing group in Phoenix, Ariz. That means an estimated 43 million Americans categorized as "unchurched" will go to a place of worship at least once a year. It might be Christmas, it might be Yom Kippur or the birthday of a late mother.

Demographics Here...

• the average small city has
• up to 50% of their population under the age of 40
• 60% or more of their population not currently attending a place of worship, despite proximity churches
• up to 80% of the population considering themselves to religious and Christian

Meeting them where they are... 1Corinthians 9:19-23

Commitment to generational ministry: although the target of this church is 20's and 30's, it is essential that every living decade be represented in the body. The Bible demonstrates the need for generational ministry, or discipleship, throughout. There is wisdom, discernment and experience to be gleaned from those who have gone before us on the path of righteousness.

“Even when I am old and gray, do not forsake me, O God, till I declare your power to the next generation, your might to all who are to come.” Psalm 71:18