Glorious Mess: Encountering God's Relentless Grace for Imperfect People

Despite God's call on our lives, most of us spend a fair amount of time running in the other direction, chasing after our own plans and desires. Like Jonah, however, we eventually discover we've made a mess of things; we're rowing against the storms God is using to pull us back on course.

In Glorious Mess, Mike Howerton shows how God's relentless grace extends into all the messes we make in our lives, that God clearly reveals his love for imperfect people no matter how far we've strayed. He shows readers how to hear God's voice, how to embrace God's calling on their lives, how to get out of their messes, and how to see God working. The result is not just forgiveness and direction for life, but also encouragement and inspiration to be our best selves before God and others.

Includes discussion questions for group or personal use.

From the Back Cover

There is a love that doesn't give up.

We all spend a significant portion of life running, chasing down our own plans and desires. Despite God's call on our lives, we, like Jonah, are often found rowing against the storms that God is using to pull us back on course. But God's relentless grace is always there, in the midst of the messes we make and no matter how far we've strayed.

In Glorious Mess, Mike Howerton clearly reveals God's perfect love for imperfect people. He shows you how to hear God's voice, how to embrace God's calling, how to make the most of your messes, and how to see God working through them. Howerton encourages, inspires, and challenges you to be your best self before God and others. Includes insightful discussion questions for group or personal use.


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

"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

"Glorious Mess makes you laugh and then makes you think and pretty soon leaves you prayerful--in a good way. 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

"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, California; author of The Jesus of Suburbia


Mike Howerton is lead pastor of Overlake Christian Church in Redmond, Washington, and served for six years as the college pastor at Saddleback Church. He is a graduate of Pepperdine University and received his master's degree from Fuller Theological Seminary. Mike lives in Washington with his wife, Jodie, and their three children. Visit www.GloriousMess.org for more information.