Messy: God Likes It That Way

A. J. Swoboda

Apr 2012 · Kregel Publications

About this ebook

Christianity is messy. Unanswered prayers. Painful choices. Unresolved regrets. We're called to have faith, and yet we doubt. We try to be perfect, but we fall short. This is the chaos. It's all around us. There's no limit to it. And there's no quick fix for it.

Christianity far underperforms the Christ it talks about. But the good news is this: God works in the mess. He gets a kick out of these disturbing, disorderly moments because in these moments, we learn to trust Him. What if we all trusted Jesus? How would the world look different? How would we look different?

Both annoyingly honest and refreshingly humorous, "Messy" reassures Christians that God can reveal Himself in their clutter. Author and pastor A.J. Swoboda offers biblical insight and vivid, personal stories to redefine faith from something that must be perfect to something that is imperfect, but can still give beauty, meaning, and purpose to a messy life. As entertaining as it is challenging, this book teaches Christians what it means to trust in each other, in grace, in hope, and in a Savior who defied the rules of death. Here's to finding joy in your chaos!

About the author

A.J. Swoboda (PhD, University of Birmingham) is a church planter and pastor of Theophilus Church in Portland, Oregon. An adjunct professor at L.I.F.E. Pacific University, Canby Bible College, Concordia University, and Eternity Bible College, Swoboda is a frequent speaker at church conferences and seminars. He is a member of the American Academy of Religion, the Society of Biblical Literature, and the Evangelical Theological Society, and has written several articles and book reviews in magazines and journals.