Never-ending

Written by cycleguy on January 3rd, 2013

construction

Have you ever heard of the Biltmore House?  It is an amazing feat of construction.   Let me rephrase that.  It is an amazing feat of never-ending construction.

You know they say that owning your own home is the way to go.  Sometimes I wonder about that.   We have owned two homes in our 39+ years of marriage. One for 13 years.  And the current one since August of ’06.  The first seemed to be a never-ending remodeling project.  Been there?  One thing leads to another to another to another until you feel like all you have been doing is remodeling the house.  To make a long story short, we found ourselves in that merry-go-round.  This current house is somewhat different because I do not have a credit card to abuse and am avoiding an equity line of credit (a rip even though they make it sound good).   I had a good friend who helped me do all the work, and I even accumulated some tools.  That, my friends, is a disaster in the making…me and tools. Tim the Tool Man has nothing on me.  😀

Our lives are also never-ending building projects.   There is an old-hackneyed and somewhat overused phrase (often used to justify sin) that says, “I know I’m forgiven. God ain’t finished with me yet.”   Well, to some extent that is true.  Our lives are a never-ending building project, but it certainly is no excuse for blatant sin.   In fact, Philippians 1: 6 says, “And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ.” 

WE ARE NEVER DONE BEING BUILT

My theme for 2013 is “Under Construction” (as you can see by the picture).  I plan to spend the year tearing down and rebuilding who we are in Christ.   I was driving through Bloomington, IN back in October and sitting through the seemingly endless traffic line due to construction when the theme hit me like a ton of bricks.  We are always under construction.  Then Phil 1:6 came to mind.  I stewed and prayed until one day it all came together.   January and February’s theme will be “Beliefs Under Construction.”  I will be taking a look at what we believe and why.  Each week I will be posting on Friday about that week’s message. (I can hear the held breath after that statement).

This week I will looking at Phil.1: 1-11 to lay the groundwork by finding the tools required to be changed and remade.  I know there are some who believe we can reach perfection here on earth.  I humbly disagree, but it is not worth getting the undies in a bunch over.   Here is how I plan to approach it:

THE TOOLS REQUIRED. Your assignment: There are 4 tools given in the first 6 verses that we need for God’s continuing work in our lives.  Can you find them?

THE ULTIMATE PROJECT. Your assignment: Paul lists 3 essentials needed for growth in verses 9-11.  Can you name them?

I’d like to hear how you do.  Thanks for your prayers.  Have a great weekend of worship.

 

 

 

16 Comments so far ↓

  1. Daniel says:

    Geez, and all this time I thought that I was perfect! (Oh, in case you missed it, that is pure sarcasm.) Hope this Sunday rewards you and your flock with blessings.

  2. Rodney Olsen says:

    Great post. It reminded me of a post I wrote back in 2004. I decided to give it a slight update and post it again.

    http://rodneyolsen.net/2013/01/under-construction.html

  3. Praying for this new series. I recently read these verses, but will have to go back and reread them.

  4. I used to live in Asheville, NC (where the Biltmore house is). I actually worked at a hotel that was a few miles away that would have a constant stream of tourists wanting to see the Biltmore. But I’ve never been there! Crazy, huh?

    Ok, here’s my go:
    Four tools: grace, peace, prayer, partnership
    Three essentials for growth: love, purity, fruit.

    How’s that?

    • cycleguy says:

      Plan to share the answers on Monday. 🙂 I used to live in Sandusky, Oh, home of Cedar Point. After the first two years I never went back. Strange how we miss out on things in our own backyard.

  5. floyd says:

    Okay, I’ll play. How about overseers, deacons, prayer, and partnership. For the continued growth; prayer, knowledge, and insight.

    I can’t even remember how many houses we’ve had… Sore subject for my wife… but I get it. Things wear out. Just like us. Only what’s on the inside counts.

    Praying for your teaching and flock.

  6. I love going to the Biltmore House. I just enjoy going and spending the day on the grounds taking photos (can’t do that in the house) but you can lose yourself on the grounds for hours and enjoy the beauty.

    I too am praying for your new series and am excited to hear more about what you have to say. I start back up teaching Sunday and the ISSL plan has Phil 1:12-26 as the Scripture for this Sunday, so I guess I had best take a look at 1-11 as well.

    • cycleguy says:

      I have never been to the BH. I have heard and read about it. Sure thank you for your prayers. Never hurts to study what is surrounding your verses. 🙂

  7. Betty Draper says:

    God continues to shore up the foundation on this old building. Bible lessons…love this…

    Four tools
    Grace
    Prayer
    Peace
    Participation

    Growth essential
    Love
    Real knowledge
    Discernment

    • cycleguy says:

      That is one of the things I really appreciate about you Betty. You never stop learning and wanting God to do His work. That speaks volumes to me. Thanks. for your input.

  8. Debbie says:

    Thank you for this series . .I love how it came to you. I am thinking it’s so important to look at what we believe. God bless you!