Hey! My pastor, Rick McKinley, is re-releasing his first book. And since I office out of my church and am close enough to steal a few copies, I did just that…for YOU!
You’re welcome.
Rick McKinley has generously offered to give away 3 copies of his first book,
Leave a comment and we’ll contact you if your name is drawn!
“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.”
”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.”
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How have your experiences with the church shaped your view of God/heaven?
Have you struggled with vulnerability in the church? How can we combat a culture of dishonesty?
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Oh, and here’s a little video interview I did a couple years ago with Rick about his story and another book he wrote, A Kingdom Called Desire.
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You stole books? For ME? Awww! You shouldn’t have! 😉
Seriously, though, it sounds like an awesome book. Like, one that needs to be distributed to the masses. It saddens me how hard it is to find Kingdom-minded believers. Especially since we can all quote “seek first the Kingdom of God.” Actually, it’s also sad how many people can’t quote that…. But don’t let me get on my soapbox now or I’ll never stop.
Free books– I love me some free books. I love the title I often tell people – I am a hot mess. Take it or leave it. But I know Jesus loves this mess. I think if Christians were honest and vurnerable there would be a lot less counselors.
My church experiences have been amazing at shaping my view of God/Heaven! I go to a biblically sound church that portrays accurately the character of God & joys of heaven.
I struggle a little bit with vulnerability in church but it’s in my end and not the church’s end. That aspect of my personality is getting as I grow older & mature in Christ. My church culture is very open & honest about the junk in our lives. We have ministries that are devoted to single moms, addicts of all kinds, divorced people, youth with struggles & addictions, abuse victims, homeless, ex criminals looking for help & human trafficking victims. We kinda specialize in the broken, messy parts of life. I love it! That culture definitely helps me to stay authentic.
Free books – who doesn’t like free books. Seriously. I had a change to visit this church and see what they are all about. Love listening to Rick. I call myself a hot mess all the time. Jesus loves this hot mess. I think if we are all were honest and vurnerable we would not need so many counselors.
Vulnerability in the church is something I’ve been thinking about recently, actually–I’ve just moved to a new area and it’s been a challenge finding a church. Each church seems to be serving a distinct niche…which my husband and I just don’t fit into. And so I guess the question of vulnerability is also alongside the question of comfort–how willing are we (the other churches too) to meet as we are?
I LOVE books… Thank you for offering a giveaway. It is obvious that we all fall short of the glory of God, yet so many people in the church put on their best face so their sin isn’t as visible to others. It is sad that we don’t feel like we can be vulnerable with the entire church. I’m thankful to be a part of a smaller community within the church who loves me, despite my brokenness.
I would love to get a copy of this book!
Let the kingdom advance!
I love this book. I read my copy so much it was falling apart. Alas, I lent it out a couple years ago and it has never returned, which is fine by me, but I would love a new copy to reread.
I’d love to read about experiencing the kingdom of God in the ordinary miracle of everyday life! =)
Just the title makes me want to read the book! Sounds great! Thanks for doing this giveaway, Joy.
I would love to read this!! I don’t know how you decide to give away these books..but if it’s by comment awesomeness, I should win with this photo http://boredomcure.files.wordpress.com/2008/11/star-wars-awesome.png
😉
I love books and especially free ones. I am very interested in this book and even if I don’t get it for free, I am planning on purchasing it. I think vulnerability is super important in everyone’s walk with Christ. I am so thankful that I finally have that in my small group within my church. They are wonderful woman and they still love me despite all my faults and shortcomings.
I grew up in the church and I would definitely call myself a “Church Brat,” but even so, there are there were many ways in which I just didn’t get it. I spent my whole life up until college at one church and this had a lot to do with my thoughts on God. Sitting under one pastor is a great experience, but I also think it’s important to try other churches out to get a new perspective on God and the world around us. I was able to learn so much about God and his character my first year of college by being at an unfamiliar church and learning from someone I had never heard before. I’m definitely beginning to see a bigger picture of God than I did before.
I absolutely struggle with being vulnerable in the church. I’ve always been the person who tries to let other people think she has it all together, so I feel like I have to be like that all the time, and it’s exhausting. It’s really easy to say that the church is a safe place for people to work out their problems, but unless someone sees that in practice I don’t think it happens as much as it should. I know that I should be open with people about the things I am struggling with, but that is much easier said than done.
I’m excited about this giveaway! Sounds like an amazing book!
Sounds similar to what our church is learning!
Been watching Joy and her vids for a while- always love the wisdom she imparts! This book looks legit. Would love to read it even if I don’t win it:)
Hey hey! When there’s a book giveaway i am in!
That sounds like the kind of book all believers should read. Thanks for giving away a few copies – that’s very thoughtful of you. God bless your day!
He seems really cool! I can understand why Joy finds him to be one of the most inspirational in her life. Awesome interview. Very intrigued! I hope my name gets drawn! 🙂 God Bless! *hugs*
Hi Joy! 1)The church has shaped my view of God and heaven in a way that we must seek God for His own sake and not to get something or someone else. God is our everything and we must see Him as our all in all.
2) I struggle with honesty in the church. I guess I just don’t want to be judged or at least don’t want to feel judged. We need to be more open and honest with each other. Perhaps a “what happens here stays here” approach would lessen this. A more approach to people as Jesus did.
I hope I win a copy of Rick’s book. Very intriguing title. God bless.
I am a student leader in a college ministry, and we just had a training session on the importance of vulnerability in creating authentic community. This sounds like a great book!
yeah!!
Wow is the only word I can use to describe this!
I mean the world we live in is a mess and Jesus could change all that in an instant.
However, much like Batman watches over Gotham City; “He’s the protector the city deserves not the one it needs!”
And though it sounds silly it really does relate to the people in today’s world; we deserve death and nothing less than eternal punishment but Christ came to save us because it was what we NEEDED not what we deserved.
I’m sure that this book would be a great read to look even deeper into this amazing subject!
What PERFECT timing. God has been stirring my heart on this matter for months now. I’m 50, been a part of a church family for nearly 20 years and am JUST NOW learning how essential vulnerability is and how the lack of it creates bondage. The beauty is vulnerability breeds FREEDOM for more than just the one who initiates it! I didn’t even realize I was masking until recently. I NEED this book. Pick me Lord, PICK ME!
I am very interested in this book! I think our view of God and heaven are all shaped by the world around us, including our churches, which is why it’s so important to know the Bible. In regards to vulnerability in the church, I find being vulnerable totally un-enjoyable, but rather necessary. Here is a snippet of tiny vulnerability from me: I do not feel like I know the Bible well enough and am probably more shaped by the churches I’ve gone to and the world around me than I even realize. It is good to challenge our own views occasionally to make sure they are lining up with God’s Word! Thanks for snagging books to give away! Super fun!
Been meaning to read this book…
BOOOOOKKKSSS!!!! I love books!
Vulnerability in the church is definitely lacking! But I feel like there is almost a movement towards fellowship and real communion with other believers lately. We are called to reach the lost, but we are also called to love and serve and encourage each other. I think the Lord is bring believers back together…maybe to prepare for????
As I was reading the overview of this book, all I kept thinking was HOW MUCH WE ALL NEED TO READ THIS! Living in this world today, it’s very easy to lose focus on what is truly important. Our home here on earth is temporary. We are here for such a short amount of time & than we leave to our perfect eternal home. My own personal journey walking with Jesus has changed me enormously! I want to to share in his love & what is even better is being in fellowship with our brothers & sisters in Christ. Our church is amazing & I absolutely look forward to service, group classes & outside events. Having a church family is what keeps me on track in this world. Don’t get me wrong, God keeps me grounded first most, but surrounding myself with Godly people helps me in this world. It’s incredible what we can see with new eyes, all of the magical things that look like coincidences that are specifically sweet interventions from our Heavenly Father. I’m getting off track so I’m going to wrap this up… :-), I look forward to reading this book so if there is not enough free ones to give away, it’s ok, I will look on amazon soon. God Bless you all for sharing Gods LOVE!!! My husband & I will be starting a 4 week class for Love & Respect in our church so I’m SUPER STOKED! God gave you special gifts & sure He is so proud of you and your family for sharing your knowledge!!! Love, Julia
Heather thinks...
How are there no comments yet? Joy’s giving away BOOKS!!! I have totally struggled with vulnerablility in the church, I think there is an unwritten rule that Christians should be perfect and look like they have it all together so we put on a mask to fit the mould and hide.
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