Posted in Benefits, Christ, Encouragement, Eugene Peterson, Hope, tagged Psalm 91, Psalms 91 on September 27, 2012| 2 Comments »
Eugene Peterson applies years of experience and pastoral training to capture the essence of Psalm 91 in the Message Bible and it has been very encouraging today — take a moment to absorb it.
If you’ll hold on to me for dear life,” says God,
I’ll get you out of any trouble.
I’ll give you the best of care if you’ll only get to know and trust me
Call me and I’ll answer, be at your side in bad times;
I’ll rescue you, then throw you a party.”
— Psalm 91:14-16 (Message Bible)
Posted in Eugene Peterson, Responsibility, tagged Galatians 6 on June 21, 2011| Leave a Comment »
Eugene Peterson
For every man shall bear his own burden. – Galatians 6:5
Eugene Peterson, Pastor and Author of The Message Bible tells of a realization discovered early in his ministry.
His denomination required probationary monthly reports outlining ministerial activities, congregation health, and personal spiritual growth.
But the young Rev. Peterson began to feel his superiors weren’t paying attention so he tried an experiment — on his report he indicated he was having serious doubts about his faith and needed help. After no response he increased the fictionalized problems, eventually reporting illicit affairs then experimental drug use during the eucharist, each month getting wilder — still nothing.
At the end of his probationary period he was asked to evaluate the supervision he received. When he mentioned his reports weren’t read he was assured otherwise — that is until he pointed out the details. There was then “a splendid vaudeville slapstick of buck-passing and excuse-making”.1
He uses that illustration to point out who is, really, responsible for our spiritual growth — we are!
“I was quite mistaken to look for spiritual nurture and expect vocational counsel from the institution.”1
Each of us is responsible and accountable for our own lives — vocationally and spiritually.
— fritz@langgang.com
1. Under the Unpredictable Plant An Exploration in Vocational Holiness by Eugene H. Peterson, page 80
Posted in Church, Committment, Eugene Peterson, Quotes on June 14, 2011| Leave a Comment »
Eugene Peterson, Presbyterian pastor and author of “The Message Bible”, writes of his desire for the perfect congregation — one where the people are holy, alert, responsive to God’s word and experiencing glorious revival.
He decided that kind of place doesn’t exist, and he has a term for keeping that kind of image in our minds:
“Parish glamorization is ecclesiastical pornography — taking photographs (skillfully airbrushed) or drawing pictures of congregations that are without spot or wrinkle, the shapes that a few parishes have for a few short years.
These provocatively posed pictures are devoid of personal relationships…
Ordinary congregations are God’s choice for the form the church takes in locale, and pastors are the persons assigned to them for ministry.” – Eugene Peterson, Under the Unpredictable Plant, page 22
God uses real people and real relationships, not airbrushed images, to grow us and his kingdom.
– fritz@langgang.com
Patrikin - Kinship through The Father 