Construction News and my Ramblings

BUILDING UPDATE: Yes, work is being done to get us ready to build. Over the past two months we’ve had numerous teams from Parkhill, Smith and Cooper (aka: PSC) in our building checking on things. We’ve had electrical engineers, mechanical engineers, structural engineers and interior designers walking through our facility. They are “getting the lay of the land,” so to speak. What we learned in the last construction project is that a set of plans labeled “as built” doesn’t really mean much. We uncovered a large number of surprises as we did the demolition before construction last time. This time we hope to prevent, or at least minimalize, any surprises that come with construction. My analogy for where we are in the construction process is like a woman during the first couple of months of pregnancy: a lot is happening but nothing is showing—yet. (This is Wednesday afternoon and the PSC engineers are back.)

IT SEEMS TO ME: During my Bible study today I read Romans 12 in the God’s Word translation. Verse 2 reads: “Don’t become like the people of this world. Instead, change the way you think. Then you will always be able to determine what God really wants—what is good, pleasing and perfect.”  Then in the last half of verse 3 Paul writes, “…your thoughts should lead you to use good judgment based on what God has given each of you as believers.”  IT SEEMS TO ME we’ve allowed our culture to influence our thinking more than we have influenced our culture. There appears to be little difference in the way people inside the church think from those outside the church. If we will do what God instructed (change the way you think) we will have more influence because we will be doing what God wants. We can become change makers in this disturbing day and age. 

Work Day

For the past 10 weeks and 3 days (as of March 9) Judy and I have been remodeling our house. We've lived in this location for 22 years without doing much to it during that time. An amazing thing happens to dwellings over time, and it's not good. Without constant attention a house will begin to deteriorate and show wear. Our house was showing signs of wear.

Such is the case with our church house. We've done some major work at times and are preparing for another major construction project, pending church final approval. But this project will add more space but not deal with most of the existing structure.

Jon Kjosa, our Facilities Manager, is a gifted individual who does so many different things around here. However, he's only one man and this is a large facility. Over time small "blemishes" appear on the building. If ignored long enough, they become major. Many of these small blemishes can be taken care of by folks like you and me.

We also know that Easter is a time when unchurched people are most open to visiting a church. We want them to come and have a good experience when they come. WE'VE GOT COMPANY COMING FOR EASTER.

At my house we get ready for company, even if the "company" is family. Judy insists the house be as neat and tidy as we can make it (and it sure will look better once the remodel job is completed).

Bacon Heights has company coming for Easter. Therefore, we are planning a workday on Saturday, March 26, at 9:30 in the morning to get our (church) house ready for company. Come help us, even if it's only for 30 minutes. We'll have a list of projects that need completing and you can work as long, or as short, as you are able. Even a small amount of help will still be help.