Most Popular Books by Eugene H. Peterson

A compact Bible presented in modern, easy-to-understand paraphrase.

"A must read for every person who is or thinks they are called to be a pastor and for every person who has one." —William Paul Young, #1 New York Times– bestselling author of The Shack Eugene Peterson never wanted to be a pastor. That''s why in 1962, when Peterson was asked by the Presbyterian Church USA, to begin a new church outside Baltimore and he accepted–no one was more surprised than he. And so was born Christ Our King Presbyterian Church. Peterson quickly learned that he was not exactly sure what a pastor should do. He needed to figure out a way to measure what the heart of the job really was and whether he was living up to his calling. And that was what he set out to do. After twenty-nine years in that one pulpit, two decades as a professor and writing thirty books on the church, spirituality, and the Bible, Peterson decided to offer his life as an example and guide to others for what he discovered it means to be a pastor. In The Pastor, Peterson challenges convention wisdom regarding church marketing, mega pastors, and the church''s too cozy relationship to American glitz and consumerism to presents a simple, faith-based description of what being a minister means today. In the end, Peterson discovers that being a pastor boils down to "paying attention and calling attention to ''what is going on now'' between men and women, with each other and with God." "In our clamorous, celebrity-driven, entertainment culture, his life and words convey a quiet whisper of sanity, authenticity, and, yes, holiness." —Philip Yancey, New York Times–bestselling author of What Good is God "A subtle manifesto of hope for our time." — Christianity Today

Living Out the Word Made Flesh “Sixty years ago I found myself distracted,” Eugene Peterson wrote. “A chasm had developed between the way I was preaching from the pulpit and my deepest convictions on what it meant to be a pastor.” And so began Peterson’s journey to live and teach a life of congruence—congruence between preaching and living, between what we do and the way we do it, between what is written in Scripture and how we live out that truth. Nothing captures the biblical foundation for this journey better than Peterson’s teachings over his twenty-nine years as a pastor. As Kingfishers Catch Fire offers a never-before-published collection of these teachings to anyone longing for a richer, truer spirituality. Peterson’s strikingly beautiful prose and deeply grounded insights usher us into a new understanding of how to live out the good news of the Word made flesh. This is one man’s compelling quest to discover not only how to be a pastor but how to be a human being.

As Eugene Peterson was writing The Message, his magnificent and popular translation of the Bible, he wanted readers to understand that forty years of living the message preceded the writing of it. The result is Living the Message, a unique daily reader that combines scriptural verses with Peterson''s classic writings on the spiritual life. Here readers are offered a daily spiritual companion that brings God''s message vividly to life. With a new foreword by the author, this classic devotional presents readers with the tools and insights they need to go beyond an ordinary faith. Peterson draws on his profound reflections on the Bible, prayer, and community to usher the reader on a path of discovering the relevancy of God''s word to our everyday lives. From the author of nearly thirty books, Peterson''s Living the Message weaves together insightful selections from some of his best works to produce a volume full of wisdom and hope. Reading this collection will endow your spiritual life with a new urgency and desire to live out your faith more fully.

An illuminating example of friendship as a vital way God answers our need for guidance, encouragement, affirmation, and correction. Most of the time, what we need to help us through the struggles in our lives is not the advice of an expert but the wisdom of a friend. Through this series of eloquent letters written to a life-long friend, author Eugene Peterson demonstrates friendship as a means to Christian maturity. The topics covered in this warm and highly personal correspondence are broad and varied, but one thing comes through with constancy and clarity: there is great value in a wise, experienced friend to help us see more clearly and to strengthen our growth in faith and godliness.

Since Eugene Peterson first wrote this spiritual formation classic nearly forty years ago, hundreds of thousands of Christians have been inspired by Peterson''s prophetic and pastoral wisdom and the call to deeper discipleship found in the Songs ofAscents (Psalms 120-134). This special commemorative edition includes a new preface taken from Leif Peterson''s eulogy at his father''s memorial service.

In these never-before-published stories, sayings, and biblical teachings, the beloved author and translator of The Message Bible shows us how the wisdom of deep faith helps us live well. “Calming, encouraging, and profound.”—Matt Chandler, lead pastor of The Village Church “Jesus’ words bring us the news of an expanded world, a bright world, a full-dimensioned world, a world in which God rules, mercy is common experience, and love is the daily working agenda.” Eugene H. Peterson (1932–2018) was one of the most beloved authors, pastors, poets, and professors of our time. While millions have read his bestselling paraphrased Bible translation, The Message, far fewer have heard his direct practical insights and wisdom about how to live well. Eugene knew the extraordinary spirituality of ordinary life. He understood that we actually become more, not less, human as we grow to live like Jesus. And living like Jesus means living well. On Living Well collects some of Eugene’s best never-before-published short writings to help you walk in the way of Jesus with a little more courage, passion, and hope—by offering new ways to practice generosity, community, prayer, simplicity, worship, inner peace, and so much more . . . even with the challenges of today. This book is a rich feast for the soul, ideal as a daily spiritual touchpoint or simply to nourish a heart hungry for pastoral wisdom. It is your invitation to enter into the meaningful simplicity of life with Jesus in a world of immense beauty, real difficulty, and endless wonder.

Spend a year with Jesus with commentary and meditations by the definitive voice for Christian spirituality today. Chosen from the Gospels of Matthew and John, the 365 readings encourage us to remove ourselves from our hectic, day-to-day pace and reflect on the life and teachings of Jesus himself. These Gospel selections are accompanied by reflections and prayers from bestselling Christian author Eugene Peterson. Readers will discover a daily companion that offers wisdom and guidance throughout the year.

A Formatiobook. We all long to live life at its best--to fuse freedom and spontaneity with purpose and meaning. Why then do we often find our lives so humdrum, so unadventuresome, so routine? Or else so frantic, so full of activity, but still devoid of fulfillment? How do we learn to risk, to trust, to pursue wholeness and excellence--to run with the horses in the jungle of life?In a series of profound reflections on the life of Jeremiah the prophet, Eugene Peterson explores the heart of what it means to be fully and genuinely human. His writing is filled with humor and self-reflection, insight and wisdom, helping to set a course for others in the quest for life at its best.

Grow in your faith as you meditate on the Word of God each day. Eugene Peterson, creator of The Message Bible translation (which has sold more than 20 million copies), has helped us find surprising newness in confusing or overly familiar Bible passages. God''s Message for Each Day is a year-long devotional that gathers Eugene''s best-loved, most powerful writing into a daily invitation to grow closer to God. God''s Message for Each Day, a 365-day devotional, includes: Well-chosen scripture verses Brief excerpts from Peterson''s most compelling writing from classic books, including Run with the Horses, Leap Over a Wall, A Long Obedience in the Same Direction, and more Complex Bible subjects explained in clear language Ways to apply God''s truth to everyday life God''s Message for Each Day is a great gift for: Men and women alike Recent high school and college graduates Those starting a new job Anyone eager to grow in their faith Eugene Peterson''s insight and wisdom give the reader the perfect way to learn more about the Word of God in a way that''s easy to understand.

Walk through the pages of the Bible in 90 days with a definitive voice in Christian spirituality. In this devotional, Eugene Peterson provides brief commentary and challenging thoughts designed to stir the biblical imagination and encourage even the weary believer. Life is a mixture of deep joy, heartbreaking disappointment, and hopeful dreams. We long for quick answers, yet God invites us into something far better—a dance of worship, wonder, and mystery. Discover this beautiful rhythm in Every Step an Arrival, a ninety-day devotional from the beloved translator behind the popular Message Bible and the author of spiritual classics, including Run with the Horses and A Long Obedience in the Same Direction. Eugene Peterson believes our confusion about the world comes from a lack of clarity regarding who we are and, more important, who God is. Each reading focuses on a unique facet of God’s nature or of our identity. Drawing insights and stories from a number of books in the Old Testament, Peterson stirs the imagination and encourages travel-weary readers to keep moving forward. Life is full of unexpected moments. But when we enter each day in rhythm with God, every step is an arrival.

The Message of the Bible by Women, for Women The Scriptures are meant for us, to draw near to God and discover God''s vision for us. The Message Women''s Devotional Bible invites women of all ages and life experiences to consider what it means to be made in God''s image and invited into God''s mission out of our unique design. With down-to-earth insights into the experience of women throughout Scripture and informed by the wisdom of women in our contemporary context, this women''s devotional Bible expands our imagination for faithfulness in our time. Often overlooked in the Scriptures are women actively participating in the story of God. Many of them are unnamed; many of them are only mentioned or alluded to. But the message of the Scriptures is incomplete without them. This Bible draws our attention to the insights hidden in their stories and the relevance of their lives to ours. Special features include: 320 topical devotions, Contributions written by women of diverse ethnicities, backgrounds, and vocations, Special Biblical section introductions highlighting the needs and interests of women, 52 profiles on important figures in the Bible, Space and sensitivity for women to engage difficult Bible passages, Fresh and candid insights into often-neglected Biblical passages and personalities.

In the Bible, the revelation of God is primarily conveyed through narrative. And the story of King David in particular speaks to the challenges that everyone faces in daily life. In Leap Over a Wall, Eugene H. Peterson uses stories from David’s life as inspirational spiritual lessons. Chosen by God, David rose from humble origins to become a warrior, poet and king. But he was also a person with flaws who made many mistakes throughout his life. By exploring this beloved figure’s successes, failures and relationship with God, Peterson reveals the enduring truths behind the Bible stories and the extraordinary nature of everyday spirituality. Eugene H. Peterson, author of the best-selling contemporary translation of the Bible titled The Message, is professor emeritus of spiritual theology at Regent College, Vancouver, British Columbia, and the author of over thirty books, including The Pastor, The Jesus Way, Practice Resurrection, and A Long Obedience in the Same Direction. He and his wife Jan live in Montana. “This Everyman analysis brings new life to the stories of David and Goliath, David and Bathsheba, David and Absalom, David and the Temple.” — Washington Post

From pastor and theologian Eugene Peterson, an inspiring and insightful guide to that most vital—but oft-elusive—spiritual practice: prayer. For those Christians who appreciate the necessity for prayer—and even yearn for it—but who struggle to find fulfillment and satisfaction in their prayer, Answering God holds the answers. To address this common obstacle, Eugene Peterson turns to the Psalms, drawing on his extensive knowledge in Biblical studies, history, and Hebrew. Peterson guides readers through the Psalms, offering insight and perspective to empower readers to dive more deeply and intimately into prayer. For anyone struggling with prayer, or even those just looking to deepen, renew, or evolve their practice, Answering God offers a fresh look at the Psalms as dynamic tools for prayer.

"A NavPress resource published in alliance with Tyndale House Publishers."

In this twelve-session LifeGuide® Bible Study on Psalms teaches you how to relate to God as you pray your doubt, fears and anger. They show you how to respond to God in praise. Here you find the best place to explore who you are and what God means to you.

Peterson has taken the stories and words of Jesus from the Gospels of St. John and St. Matthew and spread them across 365 days of reading, reflections, and prayer, in a series of readings that shapes the heart as it informs the intellect.