Messy: God Likes It That Way
"Swoboda reveals a Bible...filled with God's presence but fraught with blunder, betrayal, and frustration...but in the midst of all this messiness, which the author details with humor and charm, Swoboda shows how a Divine Messenger breaks through with messages of hope, massages of beauty, and safe passages of peace." --Leonard Sweet"A.J. Swoboda made me laugh so hard I forgot we were talking about the Bible. I want to say this book is a 'breath of fresh air' but it's more than that: this book is a reminder to breathe. Every chapter is another glorious gulp of pure oxygen."--Matt Mikalatos, author ofMy Imaginary JesusandNight of the Living Dead Christian"Swoboda describes what we rarely discuss--that the journey of becoming a Christlike community, a church, is not a pretty line from A to Z but a dizzying mess of contradictions and struggles....This book is a must-read for any Christian who wonders about the church today."--MaryKate Morse, author ofMaking Room for Leadership"We desperately need a major revision of how we see ourselves from God's perspective. Swoboda brilliantly portrays the picture of God wading deep into the mess of our reality, eager to embrace us fully.Messyis...inspiring, compelling, authentic, and funny."--Mike Tatlock, Lead Pastor of Grace Chapel and author ofFaith in Real Life"At a time when young people are leaving the church in droves,Messycomes as a glimmer of hope on the horizon. It's a must-read for anybody who wants to recapture the beauty of Jesus and his messy church."--John Mark Comer, pastor of Solid Rock Church