Recently finished This Beautiful Mess by Rick McKinley. For those who have read Blue Like Jazz, Rick McKinley is the ‘Pastor Rick’ that Don Miller refers to. Rick McKinley pastors Imago Dei Community Church in Portland, Oregon. I’ve never listened to his podcast, nor visited his church; but did recently hear an interview that he did on the Catalyst Podcast in December.

This Beautiful Mess is a great look at living in the Kingdom of God. The ‘Kingdom’ has always been an interesting thought to me. Is it here now? Is it to come? What does this kingdom really look like? Rick McKinley tackles these issues and it is truly fascinating. Rick is a much different pastor than most pastors I have read and it was very refreshing to hear a pastor speak honestly and openly about the Kingdom of Heaven.

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?

I loved this book for it’s great thoughts and challenges to daily living. I felt challenged on so many levels reading this book; and that’s why I read! If they only reason you read this book is to gain insight on Rick McKinley’s ministry style and Imago Dei as a church; then you will not be disappointed. There are some GREAT examples of kingdom living throughout the book.