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My Unforgettable Time With Eugene Peterson

by | 93 comments

Eugene Peterson

Several years ago, I spent a week studying Writing & The Pastoral Life with wise, raspy-voiced Eugene Peterson. This is the man who reminded us that the Bible was often penned by poets, the man who taught us that beautiful prose can undo the human heart. That story can crack the crustiest soul. That a fresh turn of phrase can turn a human Godward.

We miss you, Eugene.

But I imagine all of heaven delighted in the scene…

Of the poet-prophet-preacher who spent a lifetime playing with words being embraced by the Word Made Flesh.

The artist met his Creator behind the scenes.

After imbibing the jaw-dropping celestial scenes and finding his heavenly footing, I imagine Eugene peppering the scribes and saints about various passages. I also imagine the expanse of communication among angels and saints in the higher realm reminded Eugene what he already knew—even his most brilliant penned words never fully captured the depth, the beauty, the wonder of God.

In celebration of this poet saint, I went back through my notes with Eugene and collected some of my favorite quotes.

I hope you enjoy!

“Once the benediction is done, go out there and live to the glory of God.”

“Doesn’t run on adrenaline or competitiveness or rejection or neglect.”

“We keep a Sabbath. We pray and play. We don’t do anything unnecessary.”

“The feasts teach us principles for living.”

“(One of my mentors) was once asked what’s the most important thing to do as a pastor? He answered, ‘Take long vacations and relieve yourself as often as possible.’ That made a lot of sense to me.”

“I used to take 3X5 cards and write the names of three people I would preach to on Sunday morning. In 30 years of preaching, none of those three people I targeted ever said one thing to me about my sermon.”

“Early on, I only heard pastors describe their congregations in irritable or condescending ways. Or they treated them like rebellious or lazy kids. I heard very little appreciation for the dignity of the congregation. I knew that I could not be a pastor and cultivate that kind of attitude.”

“Children are the best poets up until they get it bred out of them by about sixth grade. One five-year-old poet said, “God who is high and God who is low, help us Lord, who are below.”

“The reason that poets are so important is that they’re shepherds of the language.”

“The work of the poet is to change the way we see the world, to change our imaginations.”

“There are three forms of speech natural to a pastor—preaching, teaching, and paracletic—I coined that last one and it means, what you’re saying is important but it’s important that you don’t know it’s important. We have to learn to do all these things—they flow into each other, but if we’re not careful, we’ll major in preaching and teaching.”

“The way of writing that is most congenial to the pastor is poetry. We’re inundated with a church world that is very programmatic, full of methods and how to do it. I’ve always felt uncomfortable with that. There’s almost a denial of the work of the Holy Spirit.”

“A lot of people can write, but writers are people who keep writing when no one publishes their writing or get paid.”

What do you appreciate most about Eugene Peterson and the rich legacy of work he left behind?

Recommended Resources:

The Message Devotional Bible: featuring notes & reflections from Eugene H. Peterson

Every Step an Arrival: A 90-Day Devotional for Exploring God’s Word

As Kingfishers Catch Fire: A Conversation on the Ways of God Formed by the Words of God

93 Comments

  1. Nancy Franson
    Nancy Franson on October 22, 2018 at 2:18 pm

    I have read, re-read, and underlined “A Long Obedience in the Same Direction” multiple times. Something tells me I’ll be pulling it off the shelf again soon.

  2. Cindy Morgan
    Cindy Morgan on October 22, 2018 at 3:33 pm

    One of God’s glorious saints went Home today! I attended a Southern Gospel music concert a couple of weeks after Billy Graham went Home & one of the artist’s talked about what he thought it must have been like the split second after Dr. Graham took his final breath in this life. I think the same thing about Eugene Peterson. “Well done good and faithful servant!” Eugene heard that today from his Lord & Savior! Hallelujah for him!

  3. Thomas Luchin
    Thomas Luchin on October 22, 2018 at 3:45 pm

    I never had the honor of meeting or hearing Eugene Peterson. However reading your tribute to him, and the words of those who did know him, cause me gratitude for his life and the influence that he plainly had on your lives. Thank you for sharing his passion and talent, and the profound effect that his life had had on yours.

  4. Susan M.
    Susan M. on October 22, 2018 at 5:22 pm

    Thank you for sharing the quotes, such an endearing memory! I love The Message & how it has helped me look more deeply into God’s Word.
    God bless Pastor Peterson’s wife & family with peace, comfort & overwhelming love!

  5. Clay Knick
    Clay Knick on October 22, 2018 at 5:27 pm

    I met him at Duke a few years ago after he lectured. I am so thankful I got to meet him and tell him how much his writing and example had meant to me. I’m still a pastor because of him.

  6. Diana Reed
    Diana Reed on October 22, 2018 at 5:38 pm

    Back when I was a NJ college student, Pastor Peterson spoke to a group of us. Most of us were intimidated baby Christians. He was so respectful and kind, but spoke to us as scholars. His teaching and belief in us inspired me to read God’s Word more inductively and more confidently. And with The Message, more joyfully. May God bless his family and friends with His peace that passes understanding.

  7. Dianne White
    Dianne White on October 22, 2018 at 6:56 pm

    His book, A Long Obedience in the Same Direction changed my perspective on Christianity – indeed it changed my life. I am so glad (and a bit envious) that you were able to spend a week learning from him. What a blessing. Thank you for sharing the quotes. They are precious!

  8. Adrienne Graves
    Adrienne Graves on October 22, 2018 at 8:09 pm

    Thank you for sharing your notes, Margaret! What a treasure of a man! Six years ago I began my journey solely into the heart of The Message. I had always used it to accompany the study of scripture, but the Word didn’t come Beautiful fullness for me until I immersed in The Message fully. His works has pastored my walk for many years. I bawled watching his meeting with Bono, who has been a modern day David in my life, and the humility and love they showed one another. What a man and what a faithful son of God❤️

  9. Gail Mann
    Gail Mann on October 22, 2018 at 8:24 pm

    We had a pastor when we lived in Singapore who had been a student of Eugene Peterson., and we loved him for the way he seemed like a gentle shepherd, full of grace, insight, compassion and a deep love for God, His Word and the sacrifice of His son. This, of course, was because he had been influenced by such a gifted, Spirit -filled mentor. What a special man!!! My heart goes out to his family in their loss….. he truly lived “with God “ in life and must now be jubilant!

  10. Judy
    Judy on October 23, 2018 at 5:36 am

    We are so blessed by the words he has written. We are very lucky to have this legacy he has left us. May we grow in power and love as we reflect on his teachings and apply them to our daily growth with Christ Jesus ❤️?

  11. Debbie Eddington
    Debbie Eddington on October 23, 2018 at 9:38 am

    Please delete my comment. I was thinking it was someone else. My mistake. But I use the Message every single day and have purchased many as gifts. Extraordinary!

  12. Tracee Hackel
    Tracee Hackel on October 23, 2018 at 10:21 am

    _Run With the Horses_–brilliant book. Thanks for this tribute Margaret.

  13. Margaret
    Margaret on October 23, 2018 at 12:42 pm

    Lalalove it! Hugs, Nancy!

  14. Margaret
    Margaret on October 23, 2018 at 12:47 pm

    What a joyous time it must have been!

  15. Margaret
    Margaret on October 23, 2018 at 12:48 pm

    What a blessing you are, Tom! Huge hugs!

  16. Margaret
    Margaret on October 23, 2018 at 12:49 pm

    Beautiful blessing, Susan. Couldn’t agree with you more.

  17. Margaret
    Margaret on October 23, 2018 at 12:50 pm

    What a wonderful testimony to his influence, Clay!

  18. Margaret
    Margaret on October 23, 2018 at 12:51 pm

    What a true gift that must have been, Diana!

  19. Margaret
    Margaret on October 23, 2018 at 12:52 pm

    That is so amazing, Dianne! God used him to affect the lives of so many!

  20. Margaret
    Margaret on October 23, 2018 at 12:53 pm

    Such a beautiful testimony to his influence, Adrienne! Thank you for sharing!

  21. Margaret
    Margaret on October 23, 2018 at 12:54 pm

    Well said, Gail! He was a gift to us all!

  22. Margaret
    Margaret on October 23, 2018 at 12:55 pm

    Amen! Wonderful commission, Judy!

  23. Margaret
    Margaret on October 23, 2018 at 12:55 pm

    Love it! Thank you for sharing, Tracee!

  24. Gail Landgraf
    Gail Landgraf on October 24, 2018 at 12:58 pm

    Thank you for sharing your thoughts about such an awesome man and one of my favorite authors. I LOVED Christ Plays In 10,000 Places and Eat This Book. I’ve reread both of these many times over the years. Also love all of the other wonderful volumes of wisdom he wrote over the years. He must have been an awesome pastor; the world will miss him!

  25. Sylvia Hernandez
    Sylvia Hernandez on October 25, 2018 at 10:43 am

    I’m Sylvia Hernandez from Guatemala and several years ago I started going to Bible Study with an amazing group. Our leader is most fascinating and we are reading Eugene Peterson, an awesome writer, we will miss him! I am also very fond of your book and video. Excellent job.

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