Podcasts about contemporary language

On this episode of Voices of Renewal, we speak with Rev. Dr. Winn Collier, Associate Professor and Director of the Eugene Peterson Center for Christian Imagination at Western Theological Seminary, on the life and renewal legacy of Eugene Peterson. Rev. Eugene Peterson (1932-2018) was an American presbyterian minister who published widely on spiritual formation and pastoral ministry. Rev. Peterson is most famous for his translation of the bible, The Message: The Bible in Contemporary Language. To learn more about Euguene Peterson, please read Dr. Collier's book, A Burning in My Bones: The Authorized Biography of Eugene H. Peterson.

In this week's episode of the 3 Pillars Podcast O will be discussing the Caregiver Archetype. How do you define it, what is it's shadow, and how can we apply our Christian faith to strengthen this archetype? SUBSCRIBE TO THE NEW PODCAST CHANNEL HERE: https://www.youtube.com/@3PillarsPodcast God bless you all. Jesus is King. “But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.” ‭‭Romans‬ ‭5‬:‭8‬ ‭KJV‬‬ I appreciate all the comments, topic suggestions, and shares! Find the "3 Pillars Podcast" on all major platforms. For more information, visit the 3 Pillars Podcast website: https://3pillarspodcast.wordpress.com/ Don't forget to check out the 3 Pillars Podcast on Goodpods and share your thoughts by leaving a rating and review: https://goodpods.app.link/3X02e8nmIub Please Support Veteran's For Child Rescue: https://vets4childrescue.org/ Stay connected with Joe Russiello and the "Sword of the Spirit" Podcast: https://www.swordofthespiritpodcast.com/ Join the conversation: #3pillarspodcast References Jung, C. G. (1959). The Archetypes and the Collective Unconscious. Princeton University Press. Pearson, C. S. (1986). The Hero Within: Six Archetypes We Live By. Harper & Row. Moore, R. L., & Gillette, D. (1991). King, Warrior, Magician, Lover: Rediscovering the Archetypes of the Mature Masculine. HarperOne. Rohr, R. (2011). Falling Upward: A Spirituality for the Two Halves of Life. Jossey-Bass. Peterson, E. H. (2002). The Message: The Bible in Contemporary Language. NavPress. #podcast #archetype --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/chase-tobin/support

Text: Romans 8:31-39Summary: God's plan for our salvation is nothing short of total and complete victory!Romans 8:31–39 (The Message: The Bible in Contemporary Language)31So, what do you think? With God on our side like this, how can we lose?32If God didn't hesitate to put everything on the line for us, embracing our condition and exposing himself to the worst by sending his own Son, is there anything else he wouldn't gladly and freely do for us?33And who would dare tangle with God by messing with one of God's chosen?34Who would dare even to point a finger? The One who died for us—who was raised to life for us!—is in the presence of God at this very moment sticking up for us.35Do you think anyone is going to be able to drive a wedge between us and Christ's love for us? There is no way! Not trouble, not hard times, not hatred, not hunger, not homelessness, not bullying threats, not backstabbing, not even the worst sins listed in Scripture:36They kill us in cold blood because they hate you. We're sitting ducks; they pick us off one by one.37None of this fazes us because Jesus loves us.38I'm absolutely convinced that nothing—nothing living or dead, angelic or demonic, today or tomorrow,39high or low, thinkable or unthinkable—absolutely nothing can get between us and God's love because of the way that Jesus our Master has embraced us.2 Corinthians 1:20 (NLT) For all of God's promises have been fulfilled in Christ with a resounding “Yes!” And through Christ, our “Amen” (which means “Yes”) ascends to God for his glory.·     Gods Yes brings Gods righteousness in Christ so there is NO Condemnation because of sin. ·     Gods Yes gives the Spirit of God who empowers us to live so there is NO Obligation to the law. ·     Gods Yes delivers the blessed Hope of Jesus Christ so there is NO Fear in our sufferings. ·     Gods Yes ensures the fulness of the Love of Christ so there is NO Separation from God ever.1)   God is for us. V31 31What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? “When you are confident in the One who is For You, you stop worrying about who is against you!”Isaiah 41:10 (NLT). Don't be afraid, for I am with you. Don't be discouraged, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you. I will hold you up with my victorious right hand.2)   Christ has died for us. V3232He who did not spare his own Son but gave him up for us all, how will he not also with him graciously give us all things?Romans 3:23–25 (NLT) For everyone has sinned; we all fall short of God's glorious standard.24Yet God, in his grace, freely makes us right in his sight. He did this through Christ Jesus when he freed us from the penalty for our sins. 25For God presented Jesus as the sacrifice for sin.People are made right with God when they believe that Jesus sacrificed his life, shedding his blood.3)   God has justified us. V 33 33Who shall bring any charge against God's elect? It is God who justifies.Romans 5:17 (NLT). For the sin of this one man, Adam, caused death to rule over many. But even greater is God's wonderful grace and his gift of righteousness, for all who receive it will live in triumph over sin and death through this one man, Jesus Christ.4)   Christ himself intercedes for us. V 34. He is Savior, Mediator 34Who is to condemn? Christ Jesus is the one who died—more than that, who was raised—who is at the right hand of God, who indeed is interceding for us.5)   Christ  loves us. V 35-39.  A -We are confident through the Struggle.   35Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or danger, or sword?36As it is written, “For your sake we are being killed all the day long; we are regarded as sheep to be slaughtered.” B – We are confident of victory.   37No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. C - Fully Convinced of Gods Promise! V 38-39.  38For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, 39nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Text: Romans 8:31-39Summary: God's plan for our salvation is nothing short of total and complete victory!Romans 8:31–39 (The Message: The Bible in Contemporary Language)31So, what do you think? With God on our side like this, how can we lose?32If God didn't hesitate to put everything on the line for us, embracing our condition and exposing himself to the worst by sending his own Son, is there anything else he wouldn't gladly and freely do for us?33And who would dare tangle with God by messing with one of God's chosen?34Who would dare even to point a finger? The One who died for us—who was raised to life for us!—is in the presence of God at this very moment sticking up for us.35Do you think anyone is going to be able to drive a wedge between us and Christ's love for us? There is no way! Not trouble, not hard times, not hatred, not hunger, not homelessness, not bullying threats, not backstabbing, not even the worst sins listed in Scripture:36They kill us in cold blood because they hate you. We're sitting ducks; they pick us off one by one.37None of this fazes us because Jesus loves us.38I'm absolutely convinced that nothing—nothing living or dead, angelic or demonic, today or tomorrow,39high or low, thinkable or unthinkable—absolutely nothing can get between us and God's love because of the way that Jesus our Master has embraced us.2 Corinthians 1:20 (NLT) For all of God's promises have been fulfilled in Christ with a resounding “Yes!” And through Christ, our “Amen” (which means “Yes”) ascends to God for his glory.·     Gods Yes brings Gods righteousness in Christ so there is NO Condemnation because of sin. ·     Gods Yes gives the Spirit of God who empowers us to live so there is NO Obligation to the law. ·     Gods Yes delivers the blessed Hope of Jesus Christ so there is NO Fear in our sufferings. ·     Gods Yes ensures the fulness of the Love of Christ so there is NO Separation from God ever.1)   God is for us. V31 31What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? “When you are confident in the One who is For You, you stop worrying about who is against you!”Isaiah 41:10 (NLT). Don't be afraid, for I am with you. Don't be discouraged, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you. I will hold you up with my victorious right hand.2)   Christ has died for us. V3232He who did not spare his own Son but gave him up for us all, how will he not also with him graciously give us all things?Romans 3:23–25 (NLT) For everyone has sinned; we all fall short of God's glorious standard.24Yet God, in his grace, freely makes us right in his sight. He did this through Christ Jesus when he freed us from the penalty for our sins. 25For God presented Jesus as the sacrifice for sin.People are made right with God when they believe that Jesus sacrificed his life, shedding his blood.3)   God has justified us. V 33 33Who shall bring any charge against God's elect? It is God who justifies.Romans 5:17 (NLT). For the sin of this one man, Adam, caused death to rule over many. But even greater is God's wonderful grace and his gift of righteousness, for all who receive it will live in triumph over sin and death through this one man, Jesus Christ.4)   Christ himself intercedes for us. V 34. He is Savior, Mediator 34Who is to condemn? Christ Jesus is the one who died—more than that, who was raised—who is at the right hand of God, who indeed is interceding for us.5)   Christ  loves us. V 35-39.  A -We are confident through the Struggle.   35Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or danger, or sword?36As it is written, “For your sake we are being killed all the day long; we are regarded as sheep to be slaughtered.” B – We are confident of victory.   37No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. C - Fully Convinced of Gods Promise! V 38-39.  38For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, 39nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.

“When the day’s work was over, the owner of the vineyard instructed his foreman, ‘Call the workers in and pay them their wages. Start with the last hired and go on to the first.’ “Those hired at five o’clock came up and were each given a dollar. When those who were hired first saw that, they assumed they would get far more. But they got the same, each of them one dollar. Taking the dollar, they groused angrily to the manager, ‘These last workers put in only one easy hour, and you just made them equal to us, who slaved all day under a scorching sun.’ “He replied to the one speaking for the rest, ‘Friend, I haven’t been unfair. We agreed on the wage of a dollar, didn’t we? So take it and go. I decided to give to the one who came last the same as you. Can’t I do what I want with my own money? Are you going to get stingy because I am generous?’ “Here it is again, the Great Reversal: many of the first ending up last, and the last first.” Peterson, Eugene H. The Message: The Bible in Contemporary Language. Colorado Springs, CO: NavPress, 2005. Print.

“Prayers are tools not for doing or getting, but for being and becoming.” These are words of the late legendary biblical interpreter and teacher Eugene Peterson. At the back of the church he pastored for nearly three decades, you'd be likely to find well-worn copies of books by Wallace Stegner or Denise Levertov. Frustrated with the unimaginative way he found his congregants treating their Bibles, he translated the whole thing himself and that translation has sold millions of copies around the world. Eugene Peterson's literary biblical imagination formed generations of pastors, teachers, and readers. His down-to-earth faith hinged on a love of metaphor and a commitment to the Bible's poetry as what keeps it alive to the world.Eugene Peterson wrote over 30 books including Answering God, Christ Plays in Ten Thousand Places: A Conversation in Spiritual Theology, and The Message: The Bible in Contemporary Language. In 2021, a Lenten sermon series of his was published posthumously with the title: This Hallelujah Banquet: How the End of What We Were Reveals Who We Can Be. He served as the pastor of Christ Our King Presbyterian Church for 29 years. He spent the last years of his life with his wife, Jan, at the home his father built in Lakeside, Montana, just outside Glacier National Park. That's where he was when he spoke with Krista in 2016, two years before he died at the age of 85.Find the transcript for this show at onbeing.org.This show originally aired in December 2016.

“Prayers are tools not for doing or getting, but for being and becoming.” These are words of the late legendary biblical interpreter and teacher Eugene Peterson. At the back of the church he pastored for nearly three decades, you'd be likely to find well-worn copies of books by Wallace Stegner or Denise Levertov. Frustrated with the unimaginative way he found his congregants treating their Bibles, he translated the whole thing himself and that translation has sold millions of copies around the world. Eugene Peterson's literary biblical imagination formed generations of pastors, teachers, and readers. His down-to-earth faith hinged on a love of metaphor and a commitment to the Bible's poetry as what keeps it alive to the world.Eugene Peterson wrote over 30 books including Answering God, Christ Plays in Ten Thousand Places: A Conversation in Spiritual Theology, and The Message: The Bible in Contemporary Language. In 2021, a Lenten sermon series of his was published posthumously with the title: This Hallelujah Banquet: How the End of What We Were Reveals Who We Can Be. He served as the pastor of Christ Our King Presbyterian Church for 29 years. He spent the last years of his life with his wife, Jan, at the home his father built in Lakeside, Montana, just outside Glacier National Park. That's where he was when he spoke with Krista in 2016, two years before he died at the age of 85.This interview is edited and produced with music and other features in the On Being episode “Eugene Peterson – Answering God.” Find the transcript for that show at onbeing.org.This show originally aired in December 2016.

Blair Pogue discusses the Trinity and what it means for unity and diversity to be part of God's own life. The music is by Jeff Kidder. "Soup of nothingness" is taken from Eugene Peterson's translation of Genesis 1:1 in The Message: The Bible in Contemporary Language (2002). The Holy Spirit working as "a powerful public presence" is taken from Michael Welker's God the Spirit (2004). The "need to unlearn speed, innocence, and distance," is taken from Emmanuel Katangole and Chris Rice's book Reconciling All Things: A Christian Vision for Justice, Peace, and Healing (2008).

Jonathan interviews Dr. Ali H. Al-Hoorie - Jubail English Language and Preparatory Year Institute, Royal Commission for Jubail and Yanbu, Saudi Arabia. Gardner and Lambert (1959) Gardner's Dissertation (1960) The Identity Crisis in Language Motivation Research The Fundamental Difference Hypothesis Purchase the book here: Multilingual Matters Contacts: JonathanShachter@gmail.com, LostInCitations@gmail.com

APPLY NOW to work with me! https://brookethomas321708.typeform.com/to/cHCppKqW thefaithfreebie.com Join Brooke's mental wellness team: myamareglobal.com/10039/en-US/ Follow Brooke on Social Media https://www.brookethomas.com/ facebook.com/groups/liveoutloudtribe/ instagram.com/liveoutloudbrooke linkedin.com/in/thomasbrooke Do you feel disheartened and heavy by what's happening in your life? We don't have to look very far to find situations that make us feel hopeless. But it IS possible to shift out of that dark place and into the light! Listen in as Brooke shares three strategies for finding hope in hopelessness. In this episode, you will learn about…  Why you should NOT carry disappointments, setbacks or regrets alone Brooke's top three strategies for finding hope when you feel hopeless Why it's important to acknowledge the feeling of hopelessness Being intentional with the words you choose to help you move through negative feelings How hopeless situations help us refocus on what's really important Leaning on your faith to find hope in your circumstances What Romans 15:13 teaches us about trusting in God to find peace Show Notes Do you feel disheartened and heavy by what's happening in your life right now? We don't have to look very far to find situations that make us feel hopeless. But it IS possible to shift out of that dark place and into the light. On this episode of The Live Out Loud Show, Brooke shares her top three strategies for finding hope when we feel hopeless, challenging us to decide NOT to give power to the feeling. Brooke explains how hopeless situations can help us refocus on what's really important as God moves us to where we need to be. Listen in for insight on trusting in God to find peace and learn what YOU can do to emerge from the firestorm of your negative thoughts and find hope again! Resources Romans 15:13 The Everyday Life Bible: The Power of God's Word for Everyday Living by Joyce Meyer The Passion Translation The Message: The Bible in Contemporary Language by Eugene H. Peterson Email brooke@brookethomas.com 

In the final installment of “A Month of Melvin Maxwell,” John shares the remaining life and leadership lessons he learned from his father, Melvin. John tells us how his father was a shining example of a person who prioritized his life, always gave his best, and enthusiastically devoted himself to a life of growth and gratitude. For the application portion of the episode, Mark Cole and Jason Brooks discuss how to determine where to focus your energy, and Mark shares the key to maintaining his enthusiasm and passion, even when difficulties arise. Our BONUS resource for this series is the Month of Melvin Maxwell Worksheet, which includes fill-in-the-blank notes from John’s teaching. You can download the worksheet by visiting MaxwellPodcast.com/Melvin and clicking “Download the Bonus Resource.” References: Melvin Maxwell Memorial Service Full video of John’s lesson MaxwellFaith.com Today Matters by John C. Maxwell The Winning Attitude by John C. Maxwell Thinking for a Change by John C. Maxwell The Difference Maker by John C. Maxwell The Message: The Bible in Contemporary Language by Eugene Peterson Intentional Living by John C. Maxwell The John Maxwell Online Store

In part three of our series on the lessons John Maxwell learned from his father, Melvin, John shares the importance of giving God the credit, living a generous life, and being intentional every day. Mark Cole and Jason Brooks continue their discussion on what they’re learning from this series. They discuss why knowing and investing in the strengths of your team members matters and different ways that leaders can be generous aside from money alone. Our BONUS resource for this series is the Month of Melvin Maxwell Worksheet, which includes fill-in-the-blank notes from John’s teaching. You can download the worksheet by visiting MaxwellPodcast.com/Melvin and clicking “Download the Bonus Resource.” References: Melvin Maxwell Memorial Service Full video of John’s lesson MaxwellFaith.com Today Matters by John C. Maxwell The Winning Attitude by John C. Maxwell Thinking for a Change by John C. Maxwell The Difference Maker by John C. Maxwell The Message: The Bible in Contemporary Language by Eugene Peterson Intentional Living by John C. Maxwell The John Maxwell Online Store

In part two of our series on the lessons John Maxwell learned from his dad, Melvin, John talks about the importance of encouraging others, working hard, and maintaining a positive mindset. In the application portion of the episode, Mark Cole and Jason Brooks discuss the tension between human nature and leader nature, and the importance of authenticity in leadership. Our BONUS resource for this series is the Month of Melvin Maxwell Worksheet, which includes fill-in-the-blank notes from John’s teaching. You can download the worksheet by visiting MaxwellPodcast.com/Melvin and clicking “Download the Bonus Resource.” References: Melvin Maxwell Memorial Service Full video of John’s lesson MaxwellFaith.com Today Matters by John C. Maxwell The Winning Attitude by John C. Maxwell Thinking for a Change by John C. Maxwell The Difference Maker by John C. Maxwell The Message: The Bible in Contemporary Language by Eugene Peterson Intentional Living by John C. Maxwell The John Maxwell Online Store

Whenever John Maxwell is asked who his mentors are, his dad, Melvin is at the top of the list. Melvin’s leadership in John’s life set the example and helped shaped John into the man he is today. As some of you may know, Melvin Maxwell passed away on July 4th, 2020 at the age of ninety-eight. So, to honor Melvin, John Maxwell is sharing a 4-part series on the lessons that he learned from his dad throughout his life. Melvin’s legacy lives on through those he’s impacted both directly and indirectly. As a podcast listener, you certainly have been impacted by Melvin through John’s leadership. We hope you enjoy the series! Our BONUS resource for this series is the Month of Melvin Worksheet, which includes fill-in-the-blank notes from John’s teaching. You can download the worksheet by visiting MaxwellPodcast.com/Melvin and clicking “Download the Bonus Resource.” References: Melvin Maxwell Memorial Service Full video of John’s lesson MaxwellFaith.com Today Matters by John C. Maxwell The Winning Attitude by John C. Maxwell Thinking for a Change by John C. Maxwell The Difference Maker by John C. Maxwell The Message: The Bible in Contemporary Language by Eugene Peterson Intentional Living by John C. Maxwell The John Maxwell Online Store

This is one of the most difficult texts in the Gospels to preach from. What do you say about the Transfiguration? As I was preparing and studying the passage, a man came into my study and told me something that had just happened to him. Read the full article at https://www.pastorresources.com/a-month-of-sundays/ Author Eugene H. Peterson, translator of The Message: The Bible in Contemporary Language, is the beloved author of more than thirty books, including A Long Obedience in the Same Direction, Run with the Horses, Christ Plays in Ten Thousand Places, and Tell It Slant. He earned his master’s degree in Semitic languages from Johns Hopkins University. Peterson was the founding pastor of Christ Our King Presbyterian Church in Bel Air, Maryland, where he and his wife, Jan, served for twenty-nine years. Peterson held the title of professor emeritus of spiritual theology at Regent College, Vancouver, British Columbia, from 1998 until his death in 2018. Read/recorded by Jim Buttrey from http://www.homesuitehomestudio.com/

Remembering Eugene PetersonA Conversation with Winn Collier “It feels like Gandolf is gone.” - Former student of Eugene PetersonMichael welcomes back Winn Collier to Restoring the Soul with a discussion about Eugene Peterson, who recently passed away. Eugene was an American Presbyterian clergyman, scholar, theologian, author, and poet. He wrote over thirty books, including Gold Medallion Book Award winner The Message: The Bible in Contemporary Language.Winn has been selected to be Eugene’s personal biographer as he was on the receiving end of Eugene’s mentoring, guidance, and friendship. Winn agreed to have a conversation with Michael to remember Eugene’s life well-lived.To read Michael's interview with Eugene Peterson from 1996, click here.To learn more about Winn, visit winncollier.com.In this podcast, we hope you will discover:The importance of Winn’s honor to be selected to write Eugene’s story.Who Alexander White was and why he was so important to Eugene.Eugene’s favorite brand of whiskey.  

“One way to define spiritual life is getting so tired and fed up with yourself you go on to something better, which is following Jesus.” – Eugene Peterson Join Rick as he pays tribute to Eugene Peterson by revisiting an interview with the beloved pastor and author from our first season. During this very special conversation Rick and Eugene discuss technology, observing the Sabbath, megachurches and even Eugene’s experience at a U2 concert. Have you joined the Pigs? We're a group of friends ready to go all in with Jesus--to live a life that's “free indeed” because we’re wholly dependent on him. Join us for exclusive behind-the-scenes insights, opportunities to make your voice matter, prayer support, and connections to other Pigs inside our private Facebook group. Join Here- www.mylifetree.com/pratj-member-sign-up/ Related: (Now Available) Spiritual Grit- www.amazon.com/Spiritual-Grit-En…nce/dp/1470750899 Friends of God: A Discipleship Experience- https://www.group.com/product/1210000307958-friends-of-god.do?ecList=&ecCategory= The Message Ministry Edition: The Bible in Contemporary Language by Eugene Peterson - https://www.amazon.com/Message-Ministry-Bible-Contemporary-Language/dp/1600065945/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1540914185&sr=1-1&keywords=The+Message A Long Obedience in the Same Direction: Discipleship in an Instant Society- https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0830822577/ref=dbs_a_def_rwt_hsch_vapi_taft_p1_i0 Article- Eugene Peterson Has Completed His Long Obedience- https://www.christianitytoday.com/news/2018/october/eugene-peterson-died-message-bible-long-obedience-resurrect.html

A beloved pastor and biblical interpreter. The poetry of the Bible as what keeps it alive to the world. The spirituality of loving books. Reimagining God. Prayers as tools not for doing and getting but for being and becoming. “Prayers are tools not for doing or getting but for being and becoming.” These are words of the legendary pastor and writer Eugene Peterson, whose biblical imagination has formed generations of preachers. At the back of the church he led for nearly three decades, you’d be likely to find well-worn copies of books by Wallace Stegner or Denise Levertov. Frustrated with the unimaginative way he found his congregants treating their Bibles, he translated it himself, and that translation has sold millions of copies around the world. Eugene Peterson’s down-to-earth faith hinges on a love of metaphor and a commitment to the Bible’s poetry as what keeps it alive to the world. Eugene Peterson served as the pastor of Christ Our King Presbyterian Church for 29 years. He is the author of over 30 books, including “Answering God: The Psalms as Tools for Prayer,” “The Pastor: A Memoir,” “The Message: The Bible in Contemporary Language,” and “As Kingfishers Catch Fire: A Conversation on the Ways of God Formed by the Words of God.” His new book, “Every Step an Arrival: A 90-Day Devotional for Exploring God’s Word,” will be published in October 2018.

A beloved pastor and biblical interpreter. The poetry of the Bible as what keeps it alive to the world. The spirituality of loving books. Reimagining God. Prayers as tools not for doing and getting but for being and becoming. “Prayers are tools not for doing or getting but for being and becoming.” These are words of the legendary pastor and writer Eugene Peterson, whose biblical imagination has formed generations of preachers. At the back of the church he led for nearly three decades, you’d be likely to find well-worn copies of books by Wallace Stegner or Denise Levertov. Frustrated with the unimaginative way he found his congregants treating their Bibles, he translated it himself, and that translation has sold millions of copies around the world. Eugene Peterson’s down-to-earth faith hinges on a love of metaphor and a commitment to the Bible’s poetry as what keeps it alive to the world. Eugene Peterson served as the pastor of Christ Our King Presbyterian Church for 29 years. He is the author of over 30 books, including “Answering God: The Psalms as Tools for Prayer,” “The Pastor: A Memoir,” “The Message: The Bible in Contemporary Language,” and “As Kingfishers Catch Fire: A Conversation on the Ways of God Formed by the Words of God.” His new book, “Every Step an Arrival: A 90-Day Devotional for Exploring God’s Word,” will be published in October 2018.

God Restores, Redeems. Renames and ResurrectsAnd he who was seated on the throne said, “Behold, I am making all things new.” (Revelation 21:5) Jesus' death and resurrection changed all the rules. He undid the curse. Through dying and rising back to life, He is making all things new. Behold, I am doing a new thing; now it springs forth, do you not perceive it? I will make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert. (Isaiah 43:19)Be alert, be present. I'm about to do something brand-new. It's bursting out! Don't you see it?There it is! I'm making a road through the desert, rivers in the badlands. (from THE MESSAGE: The Bible in Contemporary Language © 2002 by Eugene H. Peterson. All rights reserved.) Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come. (2 Corinthians 5:17) Because of His new mercies, He restores and reorients us toward Himself each day. It's not a one-time thing. God speaks into the situations in our lives and those situations are altered because of what God says about them. God restoresJacob said, “Few and evil have been the days of the years of my life…” (Genesis 47:9)Jacob, looking back on his life, talked about, “the God who has been my shepherd all my life long to this day.” (Genesis 48:15) He went on to say that he had been “redeemed ... from all evil.” (Genesis 48:16)Sam Gamgee: “I thought you were dead! But then I thought I was dead myself! Is everything sad going to come untrue?” (The Lord of the Rings) “I will restore to you the years that the swarming locust has eaten…” (Joel 2:25) God is the One who restores what has been stolen and even what we've squandered. God redeems (in the sense of the redeemer kinsman)The book of Ruth – an amazing story of God's redemption. Naomi said, “I went away full, and the Lord has brought me back empty.” (Ruth 1:21) “The unique emphasis of the redemption/salvation/vindication associated with the kinsman-redeemer is the fact that this action is carried out by a kinsman on behalf of a near relative in need.”(https://www.biblestudytools.com/dictionaries/bakers-evangelical-dictionary/kinsman-redeemer.html)“I know that my redeemer lives.” (Job 19:25)Do not move an ancient landmark or enter the fields of the fatherless, for their Redeemer is strong... (Proverbs 23:10-11)Too often we live in the past. We live in our past mistakes. Yet we have a Redeemer Who has brought us – and continues to bring us – into newness of life. What if Joseph, in the Old Testament – after he was vindicated – continued to act like he was in prison?That's what the people of Israel did in the Old Testament. God rescued them from slavery in Egypt but they continued to live with a slavery mentality. God renamesIn the Bible, names often carried a lot of significance. But what I think is even more significant is the renaming of people in Scripture. Behold, I have engraved you on the palms of my hands. (Isaiah 49:16)New Century Version:See, I have written your name on my hand.We are that special to God that He wants be sure to remember us. I will give him a white stone, with a new name written on the stone that no one knows except the one who receives it. (Revelation 2:17)If you ever start thinking that God is far off, impersonal, beyond our reach, remember that He is going to give you a new name that only He and you know. God today is saying you're His child, you're forgiven, you're loved by Him.You're a new creature in Christ and you have a new identity. Use it. Act like it.God resurrectsRavi Zacharias has frequently said, “God didn't come to make bad people good. He came to make dead people alive.”Through the death and resurrection of Jesus, God resurrects us. If the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, he who raised Christ Jesus from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through his Spirit who dwells in you. (Romans 8:11)An ongoing action. That same Spirit that raised Jesus from the dead keeps on giving life to our mortal bodies. “But I haven't seen it yet.”· David taking food to his brothers at the front lines in the standoff with the Philistines.· Saul of Tarsus on the road to Damascus.· Lazarus just before Jesus cried out, “Lazarus, come forth.”· The woman with the issue of blood for 12 years. In an instant, everything can change.Christian Outreach Church, 31 December 2017

Discord“I did not grow up in a Christian fellowship or in a family that went to church. When I started going to church, I had no history, either good or bad, with being part of a church community. I came into the family of God with a blank slate. Over the coming years, I was amazed at how kind and loving Christians were. For the most part, they reached out to me, tried to help me figure out how to walk with Jesus, and cheered me on. A lot of them even prayed for me and encouraged me as I was growing up in the faith. With time, I got so close to some Christians that I discovered they loved me enough to tell me when I was making a dumb choice or living in a way that did not honor God. These people actually cared enough to point out where I was messing up and helped me learn to read the Bible, make better choices, and receive the grace of God when I stumbled and fell. I have to say it, and say it loud and clear: I am a big fan of Christians!” [Reckless Faith, Kevin G. Harney] Rather than walk that through the situation in a godly manner, people got hurt feelings and walked out. When those kinds of things happen repeatedly, there is a pattern that is established, and a spiritual atmosphere that is established. “The acts of the sinful nature are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God.” (Galatians 5:19-21, NIV) Webster's 1828 DictionaryDiscord – “Disagreement among persons or things. Between persons, difference of opinions; variance; opposition; contention; strife; any disagreement which produces angry passions, contest, disputes, litigation or war. discord may exist between families, parties and nations.” In the New Testament, the Greek word – éris éris literally means “quarrel, i.e. (by implication) wrangling” It is translated various ways, including: · strife· contentions· making trouble· fighting· quarreling· cutthroat competition· rivalry There is a huge difference between this word – discord – and disagreement. When you and I have a disagreement, rather than being my brother or sister in Christ, you become my adversary. “There are six things that the Lord hates, seven that are an abomination to him: haughty eyes, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood, a heart that devises wicked plans, feet that make haste to run to evil, a false witness who breathes out lies, and one who sows discord among brothers.” (Proverbs 6:16-19, ESV) “When the authorities arrested and imprisoned a house-church pastor and father of seven children, they also placed his wife under house-arrest. The pastor's wife was told that she was allowed to leave her home only to shop at the local market. That didn't seem to matter much to her; she had no money to purchase food at the market anyway. She had to rely on faithful fellow house-church members for food. As it turns out, they provided for her well. She would wear a baggy smock with large pockets over her other clothes when she went to her village's open-air market. Walking slowly through the crowd as she wandered in and out among the stalls, she would notice a nudge here and a tug there until she had walked through the entire market. By the time she reached home, her pockets would be filled with tomatoes and onions and other items. Sometimes there was money in a pocket. She always seemed to come home with just enough food to feed her family of eight for another day. Occasionally, when those seven children got really hungry, the mother would be surprised to find a chicken on her front steps. One day her oldest son was offered a job in a nearby city—and there just happened to be a bicycle leaning up against their front door. Seemingly out of the blue, the boy had transportation to and from work.” [Nik Ripken, The Insanity of God] That wouldn't happen if believers are at odds with one another.“We call ourselves Christian but we are not known for the kind of love Jesus said would mark his followers.” (Ted Dekker, Waking Up: To Who You Really Are) If an arm or a foot or a finger is amputated, that part of the body dies. (see 1 Corinthians 12) But what if we are genuinely attached to the Body – a local Christian community – but another part is cut off? Even if you're not the one who is cut off, there is still an underlying awareness – at least at some level – that that person is supposed to be connected. When you have an inclination to speak against someone, ask yourself a question: Is that person is a believer – a follower of Christ. When I frame it like that, then the other things are far less significant. We need to remember that according to Ephesians 2, Jesus died not only to reconcile us to the Father, but also to one another. His death and resurrection causes us to be united with the Father and with one another. “We are members of one another.” (Ephesians 4:25) “If one member suffers, all suffer together…” (1 Corinthians 12:26) “Some people tempt me out of the flow of the Spirit. They judge me, and I feel discouraged. They dislike me, and I feel rejected. They are a black hole of need and drain me. They throw roadblocks in my path and discourage me. They anger me. They scare me. They depress me. Plus I don't like them.” (John Ortberg, The Me I Want to Be) “Honestly, I don't really like dealing with other people's problems. I've got enough problems of my own. In fact, I don't like dealing with needy people in general. Needy people require time and resources and emotional investment and phone calls in the wee hours of the morning and the occasional bailing out of jail. Being around them is draining. I would rather be around people who have something to offer. You know, funny people or smart people or popular people or rich people. People who make me feel good about myself. People who let me be a burden to them instead of the other way around.” [Stephen Altrogge, Untamable God: Encountering the One Who Is Bigger, Better, and More Dangerous Than You Could Possibly Imagine] We generally hold others to a higher standard than we hold ourselves to. What if we chose to view each other, not as the old sinful, argumentative, cantankerous folks that we know, but as new creatures in Christ? How we see each other – as old creatures or as new creatures – changes how we interact with one another. “You're familiar with the old written law, ‘Love your friend,' and its unwritten companion, ‘Hate your enemy.' I'm challenging that. I'm telling you to love your enemies. Let them bring out the best in you, not the worst. When someone gives you a hard time, respond with the energies of prayer, for then you are working out of your true selves, your God-created selves. This is what God does. He gives his best — the sun to warm and the rain to nourish — to everyone, regardless: the good and bad, the nice and nasty. If all you do is love the lovable, do you expect a bonus? Anybody can do that. If you simply say hello to those who greet you, do you expect a medal? Any run-of-the-mill sinner does that. “In a word, what I'm saying is, Grow up. You're kingdom subjects. Now live like it. Live out your God-created identity. Live generously and graciously toward others, the way God lives toward you.”(Matthew 5:43-48, from THE MESSAGE: The Bible in Contemporary Language © 2002 by Eugene H. Peterson. All rights reserved.) “But I, brothers, could not address you as spiritual people, but as people of the flesh, as infants in Christ. I fed you with milk, not solid food, for you were not ready for it. And even now you are not yet ready, for you are still of the flesh. For while there is jealousy and strife among you, are you not of the flesh and behaving only in a human way?”(1 Corinthians 3:1-3, ESV) If having jealousy and strife means we are babies, then if you were the enemy, what would you want to do?What's your heart's desire in this area? Christian Outreach Church, 10 September 2017

StoweGood(from The Book of Matthew, Chapter 6, verses 9-13 in The Message: the Bible in Contemporary Language by The Reverend Eugene H. Peterson, a Presbyterian Minister, and published in segments between 1993 to 2002.  This refreshing idiomatic translation of the original languages of the Bible is used in many American churches today:“With a God like this loving you, you can pray very simply. Like this:Our Father in heaven,Reveal who you are.Set the world right;Do what’s best— as above, so below.Keep us alive with three square meals.Keep us forgiven with you and forgiving others.Keep us safe from ourselves . . . .You’re in charge!You can do anything you want!You’re ablaze in beauty!Yes. Yes. Yes.”

Prov 17:22 22 A merry heart doeth good like a medicine: but a broken spirit drieth the bones. KJV Prov 17:22 22 A cheerful disposition is good for your health; gloom and doom leave you bone-tired. (from THE MESSAGE: The Bible in Contemporary Language © 2002 by Eugene H. Peterson. All rights reserved.)     Where is your joy?  

2011/10/21. Eugene Peterson, SPU Class of 1954 and author of Gold Medallion Book Award winner The Message: The Bible in Contemporary Language.

2011/10/21. Eugene Peterson, SPU Class of 1954 and author of Gold Medallion Book Award winner The Message: The Bible in Contemporary Language.

2011/10/20. Eugene Peterson, SPU Class of 1954 and author of Gold Medallion Book Award winner The Message: The Bible in Contemporary Language.

2011/10/20. Eugene Peterson, SPU Class of 1954 and author of Gold Medallion Book Award winner The Message: The Bible in Contemporary Language.

Dr. Peter Davies, publisher of “Alien Rights: A Critical Examination of Contemporary English in Anglican Liturgies”, addresses the topic in this presentation and netcast.