Mike Howerton - Glorious Mess: Encountering Gods Relentless Grace for Imperfect People

2012 by Mike Howerton

Published by Baker Books

a division of Baker Publishing Group

P.O. Box 6287, Grand Rapids, MI 49516-6287

www.bakerbooks.com

Ebook edition created 2011

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any meansfor example, electronic, photocopy, recordingwithout the prior written permission of the publisher. The only exception is brief quotations in printed reviews.

ISBN 978-1-4412-3586-2

Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data is on file at the Library of Congress, Washington, DC.

Unless otherwise indicated, Scripture quotations are from the Holy Bible , New Living Translation, copyright 1996, 2004, 2007 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

Scripture quotations labeled ESV are from The Holy Bible, English Standard Version (ESV), copyright 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved. ESV Text Edition: 2007

Scripture quotations labeled GW are from Gods Word . 1995 Gods Word to the Nations. Used by permission of Baker Publishing Group.

Scripture quotations labeled Message are from The Message by Eugene H. Peterson, copyright 1993, 1994, 1995, 2000, 2001, 2002. Used by permission of NavPress Publishing Group. All rights reserved.

Scripture quotations labeled NIV are from the Holy Bible, New International Version. NIV. Copyright 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc. Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide. www.zondervan.com

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Scripture quotations labeled TLB are from The Living Bible , copyright 1971. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

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This book is pure gold! Read it a first time to be encouraged, then read it again to soak in and apply its life-changing wisdom. Mike Howerton, one of my all-time favorite young leaders, has hit a home run with Glorious Mess !

Rick Warren, Saddleback Church; author of The Purpose-Driven Life

Using the story of Jonah as a backdrop, Glorious Mess shows us that Jonahs story is our story and that the God of relentless grace is still rescuing people like us today. God calls us to extend the grace we receive to others. We are first objects of Gods mercy and get to be agents of that same mercy. Howerton has written a passionate, personal, pastoral, and practical look at how God brings his glory out of our messes through the grace of Jesus.

Mark Driscoll, founding pastor of Mars Hill Church; co-founder of Acts 29 Church Planting Network

Mike Howertons Glorious Mess makes you laugh, then makes you think, and pretty soon leaves you prayerfulin a good way. Youll never see the story of Jonah the same after he unpacks it from his unique and liberating perspective. This is a powerful book that will confront you and lift you at the same time.

Jud Wilhite, pastor of Central Christian Church, Las Vegas; author of Torn and Uncensored Grace

Mike Howerton invites us to wake up and recognize Gods invitation to join him in his work right where we are. Glorious Mess is a profoundly gracious, funny, and challenging call for ordinary people to truly risk themselves in service to Jesus. I highly recommend it!

Mike Erre, pastor of Mariners Church, Mission Viejo, CA; author of The Jesus of Suburbia and Why Guys Need God

Ever been in a mess? Ever feel like a mess? Youre not alone. We all mess up. And this powerful book will show youin practical termshow to turn your mess into something magnificent that will glorify God. Truly, Mike Howerton delivers the goods in helping us see the immeasurable love of our grace-giving God. You dont want to miss out on Mikes life-changing message (not to mention great communication style). After reading this book you just might discover that your mess has brought you into a life that is more glorious than you ever imagined possible.

Les Parrott, PhD, www.LesandLeslie.com; author of Real Relationships

Through our friendship, Ive seen Mike continue to be the one who shows up with the soul-penetrating question followed by an encouraging word. Glorious Mess is no exception. Mikes words will resonate with the rest of us who are looking for an authentic experience with God that may not fit in more contemporary formulasand he does it in language that puts you across the table from him at your favorite coffee shop.

Ryan Meeks, lead pastor of EastLake Community Church, Seattle, WA

Mike is a personal friend, a powerful communicator, and a great pastor. Page after page I hear his voice sharing his story and The Story. I see his heart for Jesus and the gospel. I picture the hope he describes even in the messiness of life. Glorious Mess is a fresh take on an ancient story. I encourage you to read his book if youre exploring and studying the book of Jonah or if you simply need help walking in, through, and beyond your own glorious mess.

Jonathon Alexander, senior pastor of Northshore Baptist Church, Kirkland, WA

Mike Howerton is the kind of pastor I want as my pastor, and Glorious Mess reflects why. Mike is honest and authentic about the broken places in life but also speaks hope into those places. Glorious Mess is a book that restores a weary soul. It points to the hope we have in Jesus that the messy places of our lives, under his Lordship, actually become glorious places of hope and promise.

Dr. Scott Dudley, senior pastor of First Presbyterian Church of Bellevue, WA

Glorious Mess is both glorious and messy. With a raw and often hilarious voice, Mike invites us to consider the depths that Christ will reach to grasp our hands amidst the mud and muck of our lives and then points to the dizzying heights we can reach in the loving embrace of our Savior. Finally, Christian writing for those of us who dont normally like Christian writing!

Christopher Wilshire, cofounder of Egg Strategy Solutions

This is a magic book...

Not because it will give you hope that you can triumph in all things,

although there is a bit of that.

This is a magic book...

Not because it will assure you that you are

accepted and loved exactly as you are,

although there is a bit of that.

This is a magic book...

Mostly because it empowers you with the truth:

Whoever and wherever you are,

God loves you and is calling you into something glorious.

Even in the midst of your mess.

No, wait.

Especially there.