Trade Paperback
192 Pages, 5.19 x 8.23 x 0.52 in
September 30, 2006
The Doubleday Religious Publishing Group
1590525019
9781590525012
From the Publisher
Already Not Yet
When Jesus announced, "the kingdom of God is at hand," what did He
mean? Uncover the reality of the kingdom of God and what it might
look like if followers of Christ practiced its in-breaking
presence. What happens when we view life through the lens of the
kingdom? How does the beauty of Jesus' reign break into the mess of
our broken lives and world? What if we lived as though a world
other than this one was here today? This Beautiful Mess
launches a paradigm-shifting journey inviting us to experience the
kingdom of God in the ordinary miracle of our everyday lives.
"The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a
field.
When a man found it, he…
sold all he had and bought that field."
-Matthew 13:44
Jesus' sayings about the kingdom of God just might be the most
overlooked of his teachings. Yet the Good News of the kingdom-a
treasure beyond price-was what he came to preach.
It's time to ask:
What is the kingdom Jesus talked about?
Could it be already here, hidden from sight? If so, where is
it?
How can I be a part of it?
A new generation is tuning in to the teachings of Jesus and to
their revolutionary implications. Could it be that living under
Christ's reign is not merely a future vision but a present reality?
Rick McKinley's exploration is fresh, accessible, and timely. With
careful attention to historical texts, he unveils new
understandings of authentic personal and social transformation. The
time is now. Your opportunity is here. In the mess of everyday
life, you can live in the beautiful presence of the kingdom.
Story Behind the Book
"When we started Imago Dei Community, it was with a passion to be
people who live in love with Jesus and live out the values of His
kingdom in our city. But we had no idea how to do that. God let us
stumble into grace and discover the wide-open plains of His
kingdom. This has ruined us in the best way possible. Because once
you taste untamed life in the kingdom, you will never go back to
the sterile hallways of religion. The beautiful, transforming grace
of Christ shows up in the messiness of life and the kingdom breaks
in as a beautiful mess."-Rick McKinley
About the Author
Rick McKinley is lead pastor of Imago Dei
Community in Portland , Oregon . He's a pretty funny guy who cares
a lot about the gospel of Jesus. His passion to see the church
become a force of Jesus' love in society motivates him to write
books, serve as a pastor, and speak around the country. Rick has a
beautiful wife, Jeanne, and four amazing kids.